Deuteronomy 17

In today’s reading, Moses outlines forbidden forms of worship, provisions for how priests and judges should render decisions, and laws concerning Israel’s kings. Let’s look at each section separately:

·       Forbidden forms of worship. This passage is actually a continuation of Moses’s discourse from chapter 16, where he used strong language (“which the LORD your God hates”; “that is an abomination to the LORD your God”) when detailing what the Israelites should abstain from, as it is reiterated here that God deserves our wholehearted devotion (16:22-17:1; emphasis added).

·       Legal decisions by priests and judges. God, through Moses, commanded those responsible for making rulings in the land to seek additional counsel if a determination was too difficult to hand down on their own (vv. 8-10). In deferring to another, these leaders remind us that we should be humble enough to seek out wise, biblical points of view when unsure about how to proceed, understanding that with God comes all wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). 

·       Laws concerning Israel’s kings. Although God desired to rule over His people, He knew their hearts would long to be like those of surrounding nations that had earthly kings sitting on the throne. So, He specified that the Israelites choose someone from their own congregation to lead (v. 15). And contrary to the practices of other kings, these monarchs would not be permitted to use their royal position to acquire much wealth for themselves (vv. 16-17), thus laying the foundation that—in God’s economy—leaders should be servants of all.  

Before we close, I want you to notice one more thing that God says about Israel’s chosen leaders: “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them…” (vv. 18-19). Did you catch that? Israel’s king was told to read God’s commands daily, and the subsequent effect was that “his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel” (v. 20). 

In other words, by faithfully reading the Scriptures, the king’s heart would be tendered toward worshipping, revering, and obeying God, thus cultivating the type of character God desired for those men chosen to lead His people. Brothers and sisters, the qualities that exemplified God’s ideal ruler in Deuteronomy 17 represent the type of leader we need leading our homes, communities, and countries until the King of kings returns to take His rightful place on the throne of all mankind! Let us pray for those He appoints to rise to this call, ultimately using their platforms to point others to King Jesus.    

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Journal responses to the following prompts:

·       Who for you represents wise, biblical counsel that you know you can call upon during times of uncertainty? 

·       What types of qualities do you look for when choosing someone to lead in your area of interest? Do these align with what God outlines in Scripture?