Deuteronomy 17:16-20  The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. 

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. (NIV)

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“Don’t go there.”

This was a popular saying not long ago. Some people still say it from time to time. Another saying that has endured for centuries comes from the same occupation that gave us HOLD FAST. 

Hand Over Fist means “rapidly, at a tremendous rate.” It is a nautical term referring to how a sailor climbed the rigging. Climbing higher provides a better perspective on what’s ahead. 

A few things to notice in this text include the fact that, sooner or later, Israel would want a king to handle domestic policies to benefit communities and families. They would want someone to build up national infrastructure. They would want someone to protect their rights in courts and to fight their battles in armed conflict.

They would go from trusting our trustworthy God to trusting men with feet of clay. King David sinned the kinds of sin he knew were outright rebellion and repented of it only after those sins harmed his family irreparably, damaged the nation’s reputation, and created a succession crisis where another of his sons ended up dead. 

Solomon was wise, so very wise. Yet he wasn’t smart enough to avoid rebelling against what he knew to be true, especially this Bible passage recorded above. He collected horses and wives by the dozen. He made money hand over fist by selling military equipment. 

Wise and smart are not the same thing, are they?

Israel’s kings were instructed to begin their leadership journeys with a single first step.

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.

This first step, taken seriously, prevents missteps. It centers a leader on God’s path and protects him from distraction and destruction. 

This is a good first step and next step for us as well. We can dance through life only to the degree that we avoid missteps and false steps. God’s path has the benefit of his daily direction and protection, purpose, and power. His way is the High Way. It is the way of life, service, goodness, and kindness. 

Three lessons from this text:

1. Commit God’s Word to heart.
2. Do what it says. 
3. Live wisely and well.

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I will commit God’s words of truth and life to memory so that I can do what they say and live wisely and well.

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Our Father, embed your truths in my heart and mind. Guide my decisions and behavior by these words of life. Empower me for the steps before me. Direct each one that they may take me where I need to go and place me where you want me to serve. Amen.