Deuteronomy Chapter 17
In the new promised land Israel would need to remember who it is that is in charge. There would be many temptations all around them from other nations. Temptations to worship other gods, temptations to follow one’s own heart and temptations to have a king like the other nations. But Israel was commanded to be holy to be set apart to serve and worship God only. God was also very clear about the judgement that would come for those who went astray. In fact, God had said that the judgement of someone breaking His law and worshipping anyone or anything else, was death. This judgement would serve as a fierce reminder that God is in control, not man.
God even looked ahead many years into the future of Israel and set a law for the time that the people would desire to have a king like the other nations. God said ahead of time that they could have a king, but He would choose the man. And the man who was to serve as king would be someone who would point the people to proper worship of God not himself or his kingdom. As such this king would need to write the law of God in a book for himself so that he could read it and keep it close to his heart. He could only have one wife rather than many wives like other kings who gained wives through transactions of treaties with other nations. He must not be too rich nor too dependent on many horses or military strength. All these rules were for one purpose only, and that purpose was to remember who the true King is.
Let's Reflect
1. The chapter begins with forbidden types of worship. They were not to sacrifice animals to God that were the leftovers of their flock or herd, the blemished, sickly, or maimed animals. They were to give of their best to the Lord. What did God call those animals that had blemishes that one might try to sacrifice to Him?
2. When a man or woman was caught worshipping other gods or the sun or the moon the punishment was death by stoning. To ensure that the witnesses were not making a false report, they were required to throw the first stone. According to verse 7 what was the purpose of this stern punishment?
3. God also instructed them to set up a legal system so that there could be proper judgements made between people. The more difficult cases would go to the priest. There was also a judgement pronounced against anyone who would dare to stand and speak against the priest. What was the punishment?
4. According to verse 15 what two stipulations were given for the choice of a man to serve as king of Israel?
5. God knew that a king would desire many horses to have a strong military strength. Where did God say they should never go back to, to gain horses?
6. God also said that the king should not make it his aim to have the greatest military. God was warning against pride. The opposite of pride is humility, and to acquire humility God instructed this future king to read and study His law. According to verse 20 what phrase did God use to describe how the future king’s position of authority should look? And what did God promise if He had this kind of disposition?
