18 “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.
19 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,
20 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. Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (ESV)
Companions,
Really? The King himself shall write a true copy of the Book of the Law? Many of us might think that a king has more important things to do than write out his own copy of all the writings of the bible and it is obvious from reading history that many of the Kings thought so too. Not only was he to write it but the key point was reading in it all the days of his life. What more important things are there than understanding what God thinks are important? We all need a basis for making our life decisions and the LORD has given us his Holy Scripture to read all the days of our lives as the ultimate reference book. We all may not be kings but we all have our god given talents and our spheres of influence that watch and are affected by how we live our lives and make our decisions. It is not only our duty to preserve the Word but to know it and live it that we may not be lifted up in our mind above our brothers or turn aside from God’s ways. These words were given by God long before Israel was to have a King; but the LORD wanted it in the Writings of Moses and in their minds that they would know – though times change, God’s plans and presence does not.
Almighty God, thank you for your plans for us and for the words of scripture to help us know your ways. Give us the strength and understanding to keep your commandments and not turn either to the right or the left. Amen.
Jack A. Holloway
Associate Grand Chaplain