So many people, even those of us in the Rebel colonies (!), seem captivated by royalty. Their lives and foibles. Their comings and goings. Ups and downs, of which there are plenty of both. Who would want to be one of them, anyway? Not me. Such a lack of privacy, coupled with the temptations of oodles of moolah, along with disloyalties behind every tree. Yet we’re fascinated by them.

The Book of Deuteronomy gives clear instructions for a king. Of ancient Israel, in this case. But as I read Deuteronomy 17, I’m impressed with how applicable those words are for anyone at any time and place. Good words for royalty and for peasants like me!

Moses penned them over 3500 years ago. In ancient times, with technology in its infancy at best, they had the brainpower to memorize what God said and passed it along by word of mouth. Pen and ink, paper and parchment, were too primitive or pricey for the average Josiah. So, they kept God’s Word in their minds and spoke with each other about what the Lord had to say. All with pinpoint accuracy.

Deuteronomy 17: 14-20 gives God’s directives through Moses to any future monarch. They’re stated as a series of negatives and positives. Which shall we start with? Let’s hear some no-nos. What to avoid. Like being a king who has no relationship with the Lord God. The King of Israel not knowing and obeying Yahweh God? Seems rather wacko. On the contrary, it’s was more the norm then and now. Nevertheless, Moses lays down the Law–the ruler must not be an ungodly infidel. Period. No discussion allowed. Finis!

Many years ago I promised the Lord that I’d never be involved in a church that didn’t preach the gospel. Where the offer of salvation by Jesus alone wasn’t made. Where current cultural issues ruled its roost. Rather, I pledged to be in a church where the pastor and congregation take the Bible seriously and are devoted to following Jesus. You’ll sense the difference if either of these is missing. If so, high-tail it out of First Church of Dodge and find one that truly honors the Lord. Take the royal high road as God commands.

Again, the king should know the Lord personally and not be a materialistic greedmonger. Not having wives galore. In other words, someone who is faithful, obedient to God, and helpful. A money-grubber and flagrant sex fiend is not the kind of leader the Lord supports. Okay, that’s the gist of the negatives.

Now off into something more positively heartwarming. All good. Not only for royalty but for all God’s people. Here’s what the Lord says–‘And when he (the king) sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel’ (Deut. 17:18-20).

Be someone who takes their Bible earnestly and thoughtfully. Quit horsing around. Simmer down, already. Spend quality and quantity time in its pages. After all, it’s not some podcast or internet news outlet. Nothing artificial about God’s intelligence. Hardly. It’s the revelation of the Lord Almighty. Give it the respect it’s due. Delve deeper into it rather than toying with what the culture dictates. Not everything in society is evil. Hardly. But when it comes to truth, well, you know, God has the final word. So, let Him have it!

Read those verses in Deuteronomy 17 again, and ask yourself if you’re putting them into action. Am I living like a royal child of the King of Kings? And listening to Him? Am I? In truth, I must admit that I need some improvement. I see that. But through prayer and patience, relying on the Lord to do what He wants with good old me, those upgrades and spiritual retrofits are on their way. Slowly. But surely.

Lord, I want to live the way you want me to live. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.