Whisper Of God Ministries

Looking for a King
Deuteronomy is Moses’ attempt to give the second reading of the law in sermonic form. In the 18th chapter, Moses tells the nation of Israel that they will eventually ask for an earthly king. God knows well the hearts of his people. Even though he has set up the nation as a theocracy with himself as their King, he well knows that in time, the people will say “Let us set a king over us like all the nations before us.” He knows that his people will fail in their relationship to him. So he instructs Moses to give the people an outline of what that king should be like. These are not requirements to be a king as much as they are prescriptive of what and how he should conduct himself.
The first thing mentioned is that the people should appoint a king that God chooses and not the choice of man. We set up as heroes and idols those with good looks, power, and influence. God looks at the heart. Secondly, he should be an Israelite and not a foreigner. God wants the nation to be pure in both kingship and worship. Then the list gets interesting. Starting with verse 16, the Lord says that the king should not acquire a large number of horses. Horses were a sign of wealth and power in that day. Additionally, horses were used by some nations in battle with chariots. Israel had already faced some of these battles and God had brought deliverance. He did not want Israel to depend on the army for strength but he wanted them to depend on him. Added to this admonition was that the king was not to go to Egypt for more horses or to trade there.
Next Moses says that this future monarch should not take many wives for if he does, they will lead his heart astray. God knows that if a king takes many wives, he will be tempted to turn from worshiping the true God to following the practices of his wives and their religions. Next comes the call to not acquire much gold and silver. The Lord knows how easy it is for us to be turned by the riches of this world and forsake our eternal inheritance. Finally, Moses says that any future king should write down himself – not by using a scribe – the law of God. The call is for this scroll to be with him everywhere he goes and to be read every day. The aim of this call is that the monarch can learn more about God and fear him. If he will do this he will not turn away from God and the law and his family will rule all of Israel for many years.
I found this interesting that even as God was forming his nation under his kingship, he knew the fallen heart of his people and he tried to prepare them even now for that day. As I read this section, my mind could not help but go to 1Kings 10 and 11. Here we find details of Solomon’s reign. Remember Solomon is the last king to rule all of Israel because after he dies, the nation splits into Israel and Judah and the decline of the rule of the house of David begins – only to finally be rescued and redeemed by Christ. 1 Kings 10 tells us that Solomon collected 24 tons of gold each and every year and that he made silver as plentiful as rocks. His throne was unlike any every made in all the other kingdoms of the earth, and he was greater in riches than all the other kings on the earth. He accumulated twelve thousand horses mostly from Egypt. Chapter 11 says that he had seven hundred wives and 300 concubines and that his wives led him astray.
Perhaps the lowest point in the history of Israel is not in the numerous and blatant transgressions of Solomon listed here. True, he had violated almost every single one of the items listed by Moses for the responsibility of a king. I think the most tragic transgression comes to light many years later after the kingdom had split. Some three hundred years after Solomon during the reign in Judah of Josiah, the Book of the Law, which had been lost, was found again. Moses had said that each king was to write down the law himself and keep it with him and read it every day. By this point in history, the Book of the Law had been forgotten. No one even knew where it was. Kings did not write it or read it or revere it. Israel had been exiled, never to return and Judah was not far from captivity as well. All of God’s appointed conduct for an earthly king was lost.
So often today we too forget what God has told us to do to prevent sin from entering our lives. We find ourselves “winging it” through life letting our conscience be our guide. God has given us his Word – the Bible for a reason. The same reason he wanted each king to write it down for himself and read it every day. The Bible is our sword to not only keep sin out but is also our way to know, love and cherish our Father. I don’t expect anyone to write down his or her own version of the Bible on a scroll. I do pray that each one of us will spend time with his Word every day. For in his Word, he gives us what we need to know about him.

Deuteronomy 1-9

Our reading this year begins in the last book of the Pentateuch. It is the last place we “see” Moses. It is the last book in which we read of the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. How fitting that Moses would begin by advising them to remember their God and all that He has done since He delivered His people from Egypt.

Moses is talking to the second generation of Israelites after the exodus from Egypt. Picture them standing at the border of the Promised Land. (Remember, the first generation died wandering in the wilderness-a consequence for their sin.) So Moses begins by giving them a history lesson. Chapters 1-4 contain a reminder about all God has done on their behalf. He takes them from the Red Sea to the brink of the Promised Land. And in between, he encourages them to remember the miracles they witnessed God perform, the battles they won by God’s hand, and the covenant which God made with them.

Then, beginning in chapter 5, Moses reminds them of God’s law. He wants this generation to hear the law that has protected them through the wilderness and this very law that honors their God. This then is how they should live. Upon entering the Promised Land, live just as God has said and you shall prosper. This new generation needed to renew their commitment to live in obedience to God. As we read the Ten Commandments for the second time in Scripture, we are reminded of the beautiful characteristics of God. These laws not only showed them (and us) where we fall short, but show the integrity of God.

In this particular address to the Israelites, Moses urges them to obey God’s law, to love Him, warns of disobedience and reminds them of God’s promises. One of his reminders is found in chapter 8 verse 3. “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make your understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.” By reminding them of this, Moses encouraged them to live by all that God said, including His laws. He is saying do not live to satisfy yourselves, but live by that which satisfies our God, that which He has given to you. As you enter this Promised Land, remember God, love Him and live to honor Him, not yourselves. The very sustenance of your life comes from God. Live by what comes from Him, not just bread alone. Interestingly, MacArthur points out that the manna in the wilderness was decreed by the Word of God. Manna came by God’s command, so ultimately bread wasn’t what kept the people alive, but God’s Word.

This encouragement goes hand in hand with Whisper of God Ministries’ purpose which is “transforming your life through the Word of God.” It is the only true way to live your life. Live by God’s Word that which proceeds from His mouth and not by bread alone satisfying your own appetite. As you begin this year, remember for yourself a history lesson. Reflect back on what God has done in His Word and in your very own life. Then renew your commitment to totally live for Him and watch your life transform as you read and live by His Word. Therein lays the joy and satisfaction we all seek.

Ashley Jones