Godly Leadership

“Now it will be when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.” Deuteronomy 17:18

For the first 400 years after the exodus from Egypt, the Israelites were ruled by Judges. Yet when Moses recorded God’s words in Deuteronomy, God said His people would  one day have a king. God’s best was for them to be ruled by Judges but the people would demand a Judge.

Knowing they would one day want a King, God commanded what they could and could not do. The King had to be an Israelite, and he was, “not multiply horses for himself” (Deut.17:16). This sounds strange, but this does not reference his having multiple horses for himself. The horses mentioned here refer to war horses. This would have made the King’s army vulnerable to armies with a large cavalry or chariot force. Thus, making the King rely on God instead of their military might. The King was commanded not to have multiple wives (Deut. 17:17). These wives would lead the King away from God, as was the case with King Solomon (1 Kings 11:4). The King was not to, “greatly increase silver and gold for himself” (Deut. 17:17). This was to prevent the King from acquiring wealth at the expense of Gods people.

After setting the boundaries of the king’s authority, God issued a crucial command for the King to follow. Upon ascending to the throne, the Kings of Israel were to personally transcribe a copy of the Law, which encompassed the first five books of the Bible. Furthermore, they were instructed to read from their copy every day (Deut. 17:19). This daily reading was not a mere ritual, but a means for the King to continually learn, “to fear Yahweh his God, to carefully observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, so that he  may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his sons in the midst of Israel (Deut. 17:19-20).”

We do not serve an earthly King, but we serve the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. While we are not commanded as New Testament saints to write down the Bible, we are commanded to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, and strength. How can we do this? The same way that the Old Testament saints did: read, meditate, and memorize the Scripture. Too many Christians do not have joy and victory over sin in their lives because they don’t know the Word of God. Be prepared, Christian, for the trials and tribulations in this World. God has given you a sword, His Word, in order for you to live a life that is holy and pleasing to Him.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark