Welcome to Bible Talk with Jessica! Today we continue hearing from Moses in how the Israelites are to live and the rule they need to adhere to.
Let’s get started!
Please note – I am not a pastor. I have had no bible training, gone to bible school, or anything like that. I do not consider myself a bible scholar at all. I am just someone who loves the Lord, loves reading the bible, and would love to talk with others about it. This is a place for me to do that. We may not agree on everything I post. I ask that all comments remain polite, and honoring to the Lord. I am just here sharing what the Lord lays on my heart, what I’ve learned, and what jumps out at me as I read. I hope you’ll join me in reading your bible as well and share what you’ve learned!
Scripture Reading for Today
Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9
Verse of the Day
When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;
Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.
But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
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:
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:
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.
Bible Talk
Up until this point we never read about the Israelites wanting a king (to me recollection anyways, I could be wrong). But we do read about it in future readings. The Israelites look at territories around them and see how they are run by a king, and so they want to do the same. Let me say, being a follower is not always a good thing, unless it’s a follower of Christ of course.
So if they haven’t said anything yet, why does God even mention it now?
I think it’s because He knows what is coming and He’s trying to warn the Israelites and prepare them for when the time comes. He wants them to start thinking now about how a king should come to be, how they should act, and have certain rules in place well in advance. Now, we will find out in future readings which kings pass or fail these commandments of course, but my focus today is how God is preparing the Israelites for what is ahead.
He has done the same for us. Scriptures tell us how we should go about our daily lives, and it was prepared long before we were ever born. Revelation tells us about the end times, and it was prepared well before our birth years. God has given us plenty of notice on these things. Why? Because He wants to make sure we’re prepared. Not just in how to live our day to day lives, but prepared for what’s coming. We’re doing an end times study in Sunday School right now and it is extremely fascinating. I’m enjoying it very much, and also thankful for all the things I am being saved from!
Sometimes in life we even go through circumstances and obstacles because they are preparing us for something down the road we know nothing about. God is good like that. He likes to prepare us. But we need to do our part in listening to Him, and following His advice. Do what He says, and not be like some of the Israelite kings and do what we want. That’s the hard part my friends, but with God’s grace and through the power of prayer, I believe we can do it.
What did you learn from today’s reading?