Instructing Kings

Scripture

Deuteronomy 17: 18 - 20  "When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the LORD his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.

 

Observation

The Lord instructs future Kings to be focused on who has set them in the place of authority. The writing of the Law in their own hand writing would ensure that they took intimate not of what was being said by the Lord. Reading it daily would also ensure that the sharpness of it never faded and would colour all of their decisions. And this was a generational command to ensure the purposes and commissioning of God was passed on as an inheritance.

 

Application

The same applies to me today. God has set me in places of authority. He has made me His son. I am part of the Royal Household. The daily time of reading the Word is a direct link to this instruction to Moses and the people of Israel and the affect is still the same – it is to prevent me from becoming proud and feeling superior to my fellow human beings and to be reminded daily to adhere to His ways.

 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your Word and its ability to keep me focused on Your ways.

 

Jim Jung