“And It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God,” Deuteronomy 17:19a
In Today’s Reading, we have God’s Directive regarding a King. It is unlike other Instruction, as it addresses the People’s Choice and Decision, not God’s; “A Holy Allowance” if you will. We read, “When you enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and you take possession of it and live in it, and you say, ‘I will appoint a king over me like all the nations who are around me”. This was “The People” saying “We Will” appoint a King. It’s interesting that God does not condemn or forbid it. Instead, He “Allows” it, and then gives them the Stipulations regarding it.
Consider the following parameters: God would choose this Man (as we saw when Saul was appointed); He was to be an Israelite, not a foreigner; He was not to acquire horses, wives, or gold and silver (which shines a huge spotlight on Solomon and his troubles); and regarding Today’s Verse, he was to “write…a copy of this Law”. What a stroke of Genius; personally writing out All That God commands. What a way to Learn and Know what God expected of both him and his People. But also, he was to have it “with him” and he was to “read it all the days of his life”!
And why so? What was the Outcome of this Mandate? “That he may learn to fear the Lord his God”, “that his heart will not be haughty”, and “he will not turn away from the commandment”. God’s Prescription for Righteous Rule! In light of our Political Instability in the US, how much better would it be if our Rulers did the same? Our President, Congress, the Supreme Court Justices? Could you imagine the Benefit if they did? And if not them, how about us? In Proverbs we read, “The Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom”. This is what our Nation needs! This is what WE need! May God open our eyes to see the Importance of this NEED and help us make it so!!!