November 6, 2025

Hey guys,

I hope you're having a great week. This week’s Thought comes from Deuteronomy 17:19-20. To give you some context, these are God’s words, given to Moses, for His people just before they enter the Promised Land. They're on the eastern side of the Jordan River, about to enter into the land that God promised to Abraham generations ago. Over the last few chapters, Moses gives the people God's last instructions through reminders, instructions, and decrees. Then in verse 19, Moses says, “He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees.” You probably have two questions now…One, who is “he”? Two, “What is he supposed to be reading?” These are direct instructions for the king of Israel…but Israel doesn't have a king! Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt and through their wandering through the wilderness for 40 years. During that time, Moses disobeyed God and was not going to be able to enter the promised land himself. Joshua would lead the people into the Promised Land and then there would be a 400-year period of judges.

At the end of that 400-year period of judges, the children of Israel would ask “God, give us a king just like all the other nations have.” Today’s passage was 400 years prior to that! God knew their hearts, and He knew what they were going to want. He was already laying the groundwork for His people and the king that was to come! 

So, “the king must read it daily.” What is it? It was a scroll of God's reminders specifically for the king. Let me give you just a couple so you'll understand (maybe they didn't pay very close attention to this?!)…

• The king must not have a large stable of horses.

• The king must not have many wives.

• The king must not accumulate massive wealth for himself.

Here's what I love about Scripture, even if the context is foreign and doesn’t really seem to have anything to do with us, if we dig, it is always applicable. Verse 20 says, “This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens.”

Now let's reread that and please give me a little freedom. “This regular reading of Yahweh’s divinely-inspired, God-breathed word for our lives…will prevent US from becoming proud and acting as if WE are above our fellow citizens.” Think about our culture: the division, the arguments, the anger and bitterness. If we are to be God's mouthpiece to this world, if we are to be His balm or His salve to the hurting and to the injuries that we've caused each other, it must start with humility.

Where does humility come from? This regular reading of God's word will prevent us from becoming proud. Keep God's word in front of you. Keep God's Word in you. Let God's word flow out of you.

Love you guys,

John