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When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left.
Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel. Deut. 17:18-20
This is found in a section concerning the duties of a king over Israel. Note that he is to read the Law “all the days of his life.” Not some of the days. Nor is he to read it and put it up and think to himself… I’ve read it… I don’t need to read it again.
As a leader in the congregation I can see the wisdom in that. I read my Bible every day and have developed the habit of writing notes in the margin. As I cycle back through the Bible I sometimes run across some notes that I don’t remember and think… hmmm that’s very interesting.
So as humans we’re forgetful and as leaders we can never forget so we have to read… read…read.
This text also reveals a benefit of reading… we learn (by reading) to “revere the Lord our God”. So important. The moment we stop revering God and substitute that with revering ourselves we’re in huge trouble and so is the congregation.
Note the last sentence in the text… “not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites…”
You see sometimes when you have a lot of success and people are complimenting you all the time you might start buying into that and might think… I am special… I am great… I’m the greatest! and in doing so neglect God who put you in that position.
So we have to keep reading to know how to lead and how to be humble giving the true credit to God.
In that way the congregation will have the kind of leadership she needs and will prosper.
“‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt” Leviticus 19:17.
This is an interesting verse because it calls on us to do something a lot of us are uncomfortable doing… rebuking or getting in someone else’s business.
It also qualifies the type of rebuke… rebuke frankly. Sometimes we can get to that business of rebuking and are so timid in doing so that the message is watered down and loses its true impact.
I’ve listened to that kind of weak rebuking before and walked away and wondered… what just happened?
I know people who if something can be said in 10 words will use 1000 words and after I’ve heard about 20 of those words I mentally check out and start looking for a way to escape. It doesn’t take a lot of words to rebuke.
It’s kind of like rebuking a child for not minding and telling the little rascal that if he doesn’t mind he’s going to get a whipping, or wait ‘til your daddy gets home or I’m going to count to 100 and if you’re not minding by then you will be in gigantic trouble. Most parents know that “frank rebuke” is telling the little miscreant one time and if he doesn’t mind then snatch him up and paddle his rear end.
Same thing with rebuking a fellow Christian… get a serious look on your face, identify the problem and let him know the consequences in as few words as possible and then wait for a response.
Of course I know of folks who believe and teach this but as soon as it happens to them or one of theirs they get their feathers all ruffled and start squawking all about it.
But remember we’re supposed to love our fellow Christians right? Well this text says if you don’t rebuke a bad behavior that in fact you HATE them.
Not only do you HATE them but you share in their guilt. It’s like being condemned to Hell twice.
It’s also like standing at the judgment seat, maybe next to the Apostle Peter, and feeling pretty good about yourself and the Lord God Almighty condemns you for getting drunk and you tell Jehovah God… that’s just not true… I’ve never had a drink in all my life!!!
Then God says… you saw one of your fellow Christians boozing it up and never said a word. Guilty as charged… who’s next?
Love your fellow Christian. If you see him doing wrong go tell him. He might change his ways or he might get really mad at you. If he gets mad at you he’s really getting mad at Jesus Christ because Jesus would have said the exact same thing and you’re just speaking for him.
