Deuteronomy
chapter 17 reminds Israel that God must rule in every part of the
nation and their individual lives. The chapter begins, “Do
not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or a sheep that has any
defect or flaw in it, for that would be a detestable thing to Him“.
We are repeatedly reminded that God does not accept our scraps and
leftovers. Forgiveness from sin does not come without a great cost.
In fact, it was so costly that only God Himself could pay it. That
is why the verse is followed with a warning not to worship false
gods. Only the blood of the perfect and sinless sacrifice can pay
our debt. The chapter continues, “If
a man or women living among you… is found doing evil… and
contrary to My commands and has worshipped other gods… then you
must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and has been proved…
take this man or women to the gates and stone them to death“.
But note the two standards that must be met, “No
one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness“.
And then, “The
hand of the witness must be the first to put him to death and then
the hands of all the people“.
This gives us new insight into the story about the woman caught in
adultery in John 8:7, when Jesus commands, “He
who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first“.
Note, He does not change the standard of the Law, or excuse the sin
as being acceptable. The presence of Christ in our lives always
holds us to a higher standard.
Next
Moses commands, “If
cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to
judge… go to the priests and the judge… they will give a verdict.
You must act according to the decisions they give you… do not turn
aside from what they tell you. The man that shows contempt for the
judge or for the priest… must be put to death“.
There is an automatic assumption that those that study God’s word
are more wise AND understand they are accountable to God for their
decisions. And note the conclusion, “All
the people will hear and be afraid and will not be contemptuous
again“.
It seems the Bible considers the death penalty a deterrent!
The
chapter ends with a discussion about the king. First, remember God
Himself was to be the only king of Israel. God later told Samuel,
“It
was not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their
king”
(1 Sam 8:7). So God preemptively sets the requirements. “Be
sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses… do not
choose a foreigner… the king must not acquire great numbers of
horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt…he must not
take many wives, or his heart will be lead astray. He must not
accumulate large amounts of silver and gold… he is to write for
himself on a scroll a copy of the law… it is to be with him and he
is to read from it all the days of his life so he may learn from it
and revere the Lord… and not consider himself better than his
brothers and turn from the law. Then he and his descendents will
reign a long time over the kingdom of Israel“.
Sadly, the kings of Israel failed on all counts and the nation
suffered. As believers, we must accept Jesus as our Savior, but also
as our King. It is only then that we can understand the words of the
apostle Paul, “Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 4:6-7).