DAY 234 - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE UNITED MONARCHY

WHEN YOU COME TO THE LAND WHICH THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GIVING YOU, AND POSSESS IT AND DWELL IN IT..YOU SHALL SURELY SET A KING OVER YOU WHOM THE LORD YOUR GOD CHOOSES. 14 

Deuteronomy 17: 14

Reading: Genesis 17: 6; Deuteronomy 17:14-20 

In our reading for today, Moses speaks prophetically of a future time when Israel would have a king. At the time that Moses spoke these words, the people of God were wandering in the wilderness and Moses was bringing them the word of the Lord. 

Moses spoke face to face with the Lord and is known as the greatest prophet Israel ever had. It is safe to say that he had received the word about kingship from the Lord. The fact that Israel would have kings was also anticipated in God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 17:6, where God promised that kings would come from Abraham. 

Moses was very careful to point out that the future king would have to make a copy of God’s word for himself and read it often. He also was to be an Israelite and be careful not to multiply wives or money, which would turn his heart astray from serving God. These dictates were not followed by many of the kings in Israel and because of this, the covenant cursings were released. On the contrary, where the kings did follow God’s instructions, blessing followed. 

Dear Father, we look back at Your word given through Moses with 20/20 hindsight and see the wisdom in it and the folly of so many kings of Israel. Help us to meditate on Your word and not to turn from it, to the left or to the right. 

ASK

Do you remember Moses? Help your kids to recall everything they know about Moses. Explain that Moses was not just a leader of God’s people, he was also a prophet. Explain the study briefly in an age-appropriate way.