March 7 Deuteronomy 17 - 20 United Methodist Church

The People of The United Methodist Church
Manor, Pennsylvania PA

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Today's Bible Reading...

March 7 - Deuteronomy 17-20

1. Integrity in leadership is vital. Those who desire to lead a nation should have the morality to do so. That's why God gave specific instructions for the qualifications of future kings.

2. We must be careful who we let into our lives. Israelite kings were not to have multiple wives because they might influence them to worship other gods.

3. We must not be preoccupied with getting wealth. Israelite kings were not to greatly multiply silver and gold, because riches tempt us to trust in them rather than God.

4. We are to internalize God's Word. Israelite kings were to keep the Word beside them, read from it every day, and write it out. In doing this they would internalize God's laws.

17:1 Some Israelites were sacrificing imperfect or deformed animals to God. It's difficult and expensive to offer God our best (the first part of what we earn). It is always tempting to shortchange God, but our giving shows our real priorities. When we give God the leftovers it is obvious that God is not at the center of our lives. Give God the honor of having first claim on your money, time and talents.

17:6 A person was not to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness. On the witness of two or three, a person could be condemned and then stentenced to death by stoning. The condemned person was taken outside the city gates, and the witnesses were the first to throw heavy stones down on him/her. Bystanders would then pelt the dying person with stones. This system would "purge the evil" by putting the idolaters to death. At the same time, it protected the rights of accused persons in two ways. First, by requiring several witnesses, it prevented
any angry individual from giving "false testimony." Second, by requiring the accusers to throw the first stones, it made them think about accusing unjustly. They were responsible to finish what they had started.

17:14-20 God was not encouraging Israel to appoint a king to rule their nation. God was actually against the idea because God was their King, and the people were to obey and follow God. But God knew that the people would one day demand a king because they would want to be like nations around them (I Samuel). If they insisted on having a king, God wanted to make sure they chose the right person. That is why God included these instructions both for the people's benefit as they chose their king and for the king himself as God sought to lead the nation according to God's laws.

17:16-17 Israel's kings did not heed the warning of 17:16-17. Their behavior led to their downfall. Solomon had everything going for him, but when he became rich, built up a large army, and married many wives, his heart turned from God (I Kings 11). Out of Solomon's sin came Israel's disobedience, division and captivity.

17:18-20 The King was to be a man of God's word. He was to (1) have a copy of the law made for personal use. (2) keep it with him all the time (3) read from it every day (4) obey it completely. Through this process he would learn respect for God, keep himself from feeling more important than others, and avoid neglecting God in times of prosperity. We can't know what God wants except through the Word, and God's Word won't affect our lives unless we read and think about it regularly. Internalize it!

18:1-8 The priests and Levites served much the same function as our ministers today. Because they could not own property or have outside business interests, God made special arrangements so that people would take care of their needs.

18:10 Child sacrifice and occult practices were strictly forbidden By God. These practices were common among pagan religions. Israel's own neighbors actually sacrificed their children to the god MOlech (Leviticus 20:2-5). Other neighboring religions used supernatural means, such as contacting the spirit world to foretell the future and gain guidance. Because of these wicked practices, God would drive out the pagan nations (18:12). The Israelites were to replace their evil practices with the worship of the one true God.

18:10-13 Today people are still fascinated by horoscopes, fortune-telling, witchcraft, and bizarre cults. Often their interest comes from a desire to know and control the future. But Satan is no less dangerous today than in the time of Moses. God tells us all we need to know about what is going to happen. The information Satan offers is likely to be distorted or completely false. With the trustworthy guidance of the Holy Spirit through the Bible and the church, we don't need to turn to occult sources for faulty information.

18:15 Refers to Christ (See Acts 7:37)

19 - God blends justice and mercy toward his people.

20:13-18 How could a merciful and just God order the destruction of an entire group of people? God did this to protect Israel from idol worship, which was certain to bring ruin to them.

God, help me to be careful of who and what I allow into my life. Help me to always stay in the center of your will. In the name of Jesus. Amen.