Not Just for Kings

Author: Joseph

Date: April 7, 2019

Before the time of King David and King Solomon, Israel was given instructions on the limitations to be set on their kings. The king was to be held accountable with specific guidelines in place to keep him humble and limited in power. Even the king had to submit to God’s reign over the people. No king could take the place of God.

"...but they ignored His words."

Many things were forbidden which the kings later failed to abstain from. David and Solomon accumulated many wives. Solomon gathered immense amounts of wealth and became closely acquainted to Egypt; whom God did not want Israel to have any alliance with. Many kings that followed Solomon did far worse things that led to Israel’s exile from the land. The instructions God gave could have saved many kings from sin and failure, but they ignored His words.

Regarding the king, Moses told the people:

“Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. 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, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted up above his countrymen and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, so that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).

Every king that sat on the throne had to write down all the words God had spoken through Moses and meditate on them all of their lives. The kings were not allowed to be ignorant of God’s words, nor were they considered too important in their position to have to submit to God’s words. They were also held accountable by the Levites and instructed to read the words of the law every day, as long as they lived.

God’s guidance, His written words, are the guiding authority in all of our lives. Just as not even the kings of Israel were exempt from learning and doing what they say, neither are we. The kings as well as the people were given the privilege to know God’s teachings and had a written record handed down to them. We have even more of God’s teachings in our bibles that we can know and learn from. It also means that we have a greater responsibility and will be held even more accountable than those that came before us!

Take the time each day to read, learn, and meditate on God’s words. When we are careful to understand who God is and what His will is, we are more readily able to do what He asks from us and be useful for His kingdom work. Make ready your minds and your hearts with His teachings. Unlike the kings who failed, you will be better prepared to do what is right and avoid careless sinning.

Bible Passage: Deuteronomy 17:14-20

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB). www.lockman.org