“When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;” (Deuteronomy 17:14)
The Laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy were put in place to guide, protect and preserve Israel. These Laws are still valid today, but are no longer adhered to in the same manner. Sacrifices have been replaced by the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord Jesus, and the punishments have been superseded by the laws of men, by which we also must abide. The point is that the reason for the Laws is universal and still valid, and should be used for wisdom, knowledge and reproof.
The Law concerning Israel having a King is no exception and if world leaders would abide by this Law we would all be ruled in accordance with God’s will. The Law is found in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The Law is prophetic and is shared with the people of Israel some 300 years before they had their first King. Up until then they had appointed Judges over each city and town. The King, according to the Law, was to be chosen from among the people of Israel, he was not to gather large numbers of horses, wives or silver and gold for himself. In other words he was commanded to NOT collect possessions to become rich or that would make it possible to force the people to do things against God’s will, and commanded to NOT break the Law of one man for one woman that was established from the beginning.
The King was also required to make his own hand written copy of the Law under the scrutiny of the scribes and priests and then study it daily and keep the Law. He was to be humble, not thinking of himself as being better or more important than those he served. He was to keep the commandments in the Law all the days of his life and if he kept them he would be favored by God and promised by God that, “…he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 17:20)
These should be the Commandments followed by all high officials – King, President, Prime Minister, Emperor, Czar, Governor, Mayor, etc. The world would be so much better and would be in the will of God, not sinful, errant, fallible people.
Government Officials, these are God’s standards and commandments, learn them and live them. In Jesus name, Amen!