God informed Moses that the people would desire a king much like the nations surrounding Canaan once they entered the promised land. As we read the standards God would have them set for their king, we see an outline which is beneficial to all Believers.
1. Things from which we should abstain.
Deut. 17:16-20 “But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses:”
A. Anything which would tempt me to return to my life before Christ.
“forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.”
B. Anything which will tempt me to lust.
“Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away:”
C. Materialism
“neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.”
2. We should become students of God’s word.
“And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom,”
A. Study it everyday to allow the HS to develop a deeper reverence for the things of God.
“that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God,”
2. Obey it’s teachings!
“to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:”
LESSON - Notice the results occurring from the application of God's word and avoidance of temptation.
1. Humility
“That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren,”
2. Steadfastness
“and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left:”
3. Longevity
“to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.”
Though this passage of scripture was written for the nation of Israel, it’s applications are endless for Believers today!
~Mike