The Law of God Miscellanies (6)

“Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.” Deuteronomy 17.18-20

Reflect and discuss.
1.  Societies prefer order to chaos, but why should this be? Is there something in the human psyche that longs for order rather than chaos?

2.  Should the order a society desires be vested in an individual – such as a king or dictator – or in a body of law? Explain.

Think about it.
This passage brings together two disparate ideas into one new vision for human life in society. 

The first idea is that of civil order. This notion derives from humankind’s having been made in the image and likeness of God. We are creatures who require order and governance if we are to live together for mutual benefit. God has written the works of His Law on the heart of every human being (Rom. 2.14, 15). For many people, that Law has been ignored, forgotten, or seriously compromised; but it can never be effaced. For those who know the Lord, the Spirit of God renews their hearts and “rewrites” the Law there, that it may be read, studied, and learned (Ezek. 36.26, 27).

Human societies reflect, some much more than others, the wisdom and mutual love which exist among the Persons in the Godhead. Even pagan nations know they must have some form of order if they are to survive. The nations surrounding ancient Israel had provided kings for themselves before Israel arrived in Canaan. This was not an institution familiar to the people of God. But, as God shows us here, a monarchy can be an acceptable way of organizing a people for a just and fruitful civil order. Even pagan nations know this intuitively.

The second idea here is completely new, and by it God prescribes a form of civil order that will ensure blessedness for those who abide within it. The wisdom embodied in such a civil order actually appeals to the image of God in people, whether or not they know the Lord (cf. Deut. 4.6-8; Mic. 4.1-8; Ps. 81.15). 

Israel’s king, and the civil order over which he presided, were to be framed and ordered by the Law of God. Both rulers and the people, and all aspects of the social order, were to be ordered by the teaching of the Law of God. It was the duty of prophets and priests to monitor and comment on this order, and to insist on reform whenever needed (cf. Deut. 18.15). We may refer to this arrangement by the term Lex Rex: the Law – holy, righteous, good, and unchanging – is king.

By hewing to the order indicated in the Law of God, the nation of Israel would bear witness to the world of the wisdom, majesty, grace, justice, and truth of God. Nations far and near would come to learn from such an order how they may know similar wisdom and benefits for themselves (cf. 1 Kgs. 10).

It is surprising to see how many of the first written laws in America were based on, if not quoted verbatim from, the Law of God. The Law of God provides a framework for justice, good works, and neighbor love that every human being knows intuitively to be wise, but that only they who love God and His Law are willing to embrace. The Law of God is holy and righteous and good (Rom. 7.12). It does not change, but it must be applied in ways appropriate to every generation and every situation, so that the abiding principles of the Law find proper application in a wide range of societies and cultures.

Neglect of or indifference to the Law of God invites what is referred to as progressive law, law that changes with the whims of people, whether kings, parliaments, or legislatures. This arrangement can be referred to as Rex Lex: the king is the law. Such law is easily manipulated to serve the interests of those who make the law.

Safety, security, and order obtain where the Law of God is king. Uncertainty and oppression loom in any situation where the rulers make whatever laws serve their purposes.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Why was it important that the king of Israel should write out his own copy of the Law of God? Which of the two approaches to social order – Lex Rex or Rex Lex – does this illustrate? Explain.

2.  It was expected of the king that he would read from the Law every day and observe it in all his ways. What effects would this have on him and on the nation (Deut. 17.19, 20)? Meditate on Psalm 1. Who is the righteous person?

3.  Should laws and civil order today be informed and shaped by the Law of God? Explain.

“You are a wayfarer, like to him who prayed, ‘Direct my steps.’ ‘Give heed to yourself that you may swerve not from the path, that you decline neither to the right nor the left. Keep to the king’s highway.” Basil the Great (330-379 AD)

I pray for our country, Lord, and for those who rule over our civic order, that they might…I pray for our country, Lord, and for those who rule over our civic order, that they might…

Pray Psalm 148.7-12.
God calls rulers and peoples of all nations to worship Him. How should you pray for this to come to pass?

Psalm 148.7-12 (Hendon: Take My Life and Let It Be)
Let all creatures, everything, God’s great praises loudly sing!
His Name only brims with worth, far above both heav’n and earth,
Far above both heav’n and earth!

Mountains, hills, and all you trees, livestock, birds, and every beast,
Cedars, every creeping thing, His majestic glory sing,
His majestic glory sing!

Kings of earth and peoples all, young men, maidens, on Him call!
Old men, children, princes, kings, bring to God your offerings,
Bring to God your offerings.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.