Today I read Deuteronomy 17, which tells us God’s rules for justice included having multiple witnesses and that God required kings to not use their position to increase wealth or put themselves above those they rule. Today I considered that God expects rulers to not put themselves above those they rule over.
What Justice Requires
When administering justice you need investigation, witnesses, and sometimes a different judge (Deuteronomy 17:1-13). If you hear that any person serves other gods, you are to investigate to make sure its true. There must be two or more witnesses to put the person to death. If the matter cannot be decided, you are to go to the Lord’s chosen place and put the matter before the Levite priests for judgement. They are to accept the judgement of those that minister before God or die.
God’s Choice of a King
God will choose the person to be king over the Israelites and tells us how the king is to behave (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). The king is to be an Israelite. When the king becomes king, he is not to increase his wives and not greatly increase his riches. The king is to read and keep God’s law all his life, not putting himself above his extended family.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
God’s expectations for rulers and leaders includes to “not be lifted above his brethren” (Deuteronomy 17:20 KJV). For the Israelites everyone that was to settle in their country was supposed to be an Israelite and thus part of the brethren. For other countries everyone born there may be part of their country and a citizen thus part of the brethren. A leader should consider those they serve and not put themselves on a pedestal above their citizens.
What do you think we should expect of leaders related to how they treat those they serve, the citizens?