18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19 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, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:  20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. Deuteronomy 17:18–20.

Interestingly, the king was to write his own copy of the law. He was to read it, but more than that, he was to write his own copy. If God’s leaders here on earth right now would consider the need to be in the Word daily, it would make a definite difference in our ministries. How long would it have taken to write your copy of the law? How much would you have to concentrate on what it said to make a faithful copy? Let's identify ourselves as people who read and study the Book..



He was to read the Word of God every day of his life so that he might learn to fear God and keep his words to do them. This would also help him not be lifted up in his own heart among his brethren. Deuteronomy 17:20. If we made a copy of the Scriptures of our own Deuteronomy 17:18 and then read it every day, would we get the idea that God wants the gospel to get to the entire world? Would the Great Commission mean more to us? I believe it would. We must do all in our power to get men and women to read and study the Word of God to put it into practice in their lives.

God was going to give Israel a king. The concern was that kings thought too highly of themselves. God gave them instructions that should help the king realize he was still human, one of the people. He wanted the king to do right. God wanted to bless the king because of his obedience. So God instructed the people and the king on what to do not to get lifted up in pride.

They were only to let one of their own lead them. The king was not to make himself rich. He was not to take God’s people back to Egypt. Many times, Egypt is a picture of the world in the Bible. The king was to lead God’s people to do right, to honor God, and never to turn to the world. He was not to have an assortment of wives. He would not make alliances with other countries by marrying the daughters of foreign kings.

He was also to make himself a personal copy of the law, the books of Moses, and the Pentateuch. He was to read the Book of the law every day. He was to learn to respect and reverence God. He was to live in obedience. He was to do what the Scriptures said to do. This would keep him from being lifted up in pride.

This is good advice for all of us as we seek to love and serve God. We do not need alliances with the world. We do not need to go to the world to get help. We need to be in the Bible every day. We need to obey God humbly.