Good Thursday morning!
In Deuteronomy, the whole Book, God is “rehearsing” the Law (given via Moses on Mt. Sinai nearly years earlier) before the Nation of Israel.
In chapter 17 the subject of a “King” is being discussed. (In reality God Himself wanted to be their “King!” Israel then would have been a true “Theocracy.” Instead, God knew their hearts, their carnal desire to be “like other nations” … so He “allowed” them to become a “Monarchy” instead. Less than God’s best, by the way!)
BUT … certain requirements, restrictions, must apply … when they chose their Leader, their King.
Here’s the first one. With another one following tomorrow morning, the Lord willing.
“Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: ONE FROM AMONG THY BRETHREN shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest NOT SET A STRANGER over thee, which is not thy brother.” Deuteronomy 17:15
God’s (reluctant) choice will be a man … who is also a Jew!
“One from among thy brethren!”
That’s the positive way of stating it, a fellow Jew.
Then immediately God continues legislating, but now negatively:
“Not a stranger, which is not thy brother.”
Wow!
So much for “globalism!”
God just cast a vote for “nationalism.”
Or should I say “another vote.”
He is against “one world government,” folks.
Remember the Tower of Babel?
And God’s yet promised judgment on the global kingdom of antichrist?
But more specifically, GOD WANTS ISRAEL’S LEADER, HER KING, TO BE A PERSON FROM HER OWN RANKS. WHO UNDERSTANDS HER PROBELMS. WHO HAS WALKED “IN HER SHOES.” WHO PERSONALLY IDENTIFIES WITH HER!
What’s my “point” today, in this little Lesson?
The best leaders are those who share identity with their subjects, who come from “among” their constituency!
And that reminds me of … JESUS!
He is our (Believers, Christians) future King, you know!
And He is too our great “High Priest!”
Both Offices being possible to Him because … HE IS ONE OF US, FROM THE MIDST OF US!
Yes, He is God made into human flesh!
He is God come to earth.
He is the God-man!
I am not saying He is 50% God and 50% man. I am saying He is 100% God and 100% man!
I am saying He is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities!” See Hebrews 4:15.
I am saying (1 Timothy 3:16) Jesus is God “manifest in the flesh!”
I am saying God (the Word) “was made flesh, and dwelt among us!” See John 1:14.
I am saying Jesus is no “foreigner, stranger” … to the people He serves.
I am saying He is the TRUE King of His domain!
Are you one of His?
If you’re not, He has made it possible (through the Cross of Calvary, His shed Blood there) for you be be “saved,”nationalized, “born again” … into His domain!
Jesus, very God … yet “one of us!”
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell