This week the focus is to pursue godliness. Of course it would help to know God in order to become like Him. To help us, we turn to one rarely visited bible passage: Deuteronomy 17:18-20. May God use it to speak to us as we read God’s instruction to leaders of God’s people (in this case, the king). Though not kings ourselves, we can greatly benefit from following God’s directives here.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

We step into this week singing alleluia to You, Father, whom we desire to revere above all things;

We sing alleluia to You, Jesus, who calls us to follow You;

We sing alleluia to You, Spirit, who rules in our hearts with the Father and the Son as one God now and forever.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

Task #1: Write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law (v.18).

Don’t miss that first task: Write a copy of the law. God’s first instruction for the king was to make a personal copy of God’s Word. Do you have a personal copy of His Word? Did you know that there are journal bibles made today that leave lots of rooms to write out God’s Word in your own hands? The priests helped the king by providing God’s Word for him to copy (one couldn’t just go to the local bookstore). Who put your first copy of God’s Word in your hands? Maybe you still need someone to do that (by the way, any thrift store usually has them…).

Father God, I thank you that I have a personal copy of your Word. May it become well-worn from use. May I learn to write it on paper while you are busy writing it on my heart.

Amen.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

Task #2: It (God’s Word) is to be with him (v.19).

Sounds pretty clear: The Word of God is to accompany the king wherever he goes. 

If God laid out this instruction for you, what would your gut reaction be? Would you embrace it or chafe at it? See it as a challenge to rise to or an annoyance to deal with? 

Yes, Jesus (Word-Made-Flesh) is with us wherever we go, but how is that bible travelling? 

Novel Idea #1: kind of like a flat-Stanley project, start a photo album of you and your bible’s travels.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

Task #3: he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD (v.19).

Now we get down to dastardly details. Maybe one would assume that if you own a copy of God’s Word and carry it around, you are also reading it. Let’s hope so, because owning and carrying a bible does little good if you don’t read from it. That was likely the intent God had when he commissioned a personal copy for the king in the first place – but why every day? Well, for starters, it keeps the king’s attitude toward the Lord in proper perspective (reverence) – and we could all use that kind of read-the-bible benefit in our lives! ‘Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’ says that Word (Provebs 9:10). 

Not-so-novel idea #2. Read from your bible all the days of your life – and reflect on its meaning for you.

Lord, let the reading of Your Word build within me a proper reverence for you.

Amen

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

Task #4: he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may… follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees.

Why else is God having the king read from His Word daily? The king is not just to show a reverence for God Himself, but to live out his kingship personally and publically under direction of that Word of God. No mere lip-service here. Does God’s Word (His will) influence and change your actions? God desires us too to live out our lives personally and publicly under the direction of His instruction.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

Task #5: he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may…not consider himself better than his brother (v.20).

Reading the bible daily effects the way that we treat one another in both attitude and action, as evident by God’s remark here. If for no other reason than this, we should be motivated enough to be serious about daily digging into God’s Word.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

Task #6: he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may…not turn from the law to the right or to the left (v.20).

Finally, reading God’s Word daily would keep the king on the path God intends for the leader of His people. ‘Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path’ (Psalm 119:105). You know where this is going, don’t you…

Lord, let my reading of Your Word keep me on the path You intend for me.

Amen.