In May 2023, the world witnessed a historical moment - the coronation of Charles III as king of the United Kingdom as well as the other Commonwealth realms. The coronation service was an elaborate one, structured around an Anglican service. The King received anointing, recognition, and there were many celebratory events and memorabilia to immortalise the historical moment. 

What do you think of when you think of a king? What role should he play?

In today’s text, Moses gave instructions on kingship, describing future circumstances when the Israelites might contemplate a monarchy. In the Ancient Near East culture that the Israelites were in, the kings of the other nations fulfil three primary roles: (1) as a warrior; (2) as a judge; (3) as a patron of the cult. 

However, these did not seem to be the requirements of the king deserving to lead the Israelites. Instead, we learn from Moses’ instructions that the Israelite king will be very different from the kings of the other nations. 

First, the king must be chosen by Yahweh (verse 15). Second, the king must be an Israelite, and cannot be a foreigner (verse 15). Third, the king must hold fast to certain standards further set out by Moses.

These standards consist of three prohibitions and three positive instructions. The three prohibitions states that the king (1) must not acquire many horses for himself (verse 16); (2) shall not acquire many wives for himself (verse 17); (3) shall not acquire for himself excessive silver and gold (verse 17). Each of these prohibitions prevent the excessive accumulation of power, status, and wealth for the king’s personal gain (“for himself”). 

The three positive instructions for the king states that (1) the king shall copy the Torah for himself (verse 18); (2) the copy of the Torah shall accompany the king constantly (verse 19); (3) the king shall read the Torah for himself (verse 19). This is so that he may learn to fear the Lord, to consider himself equal with others, to obey God’s commandments, and therefore be able to have longevity in his rule in the kingdom. Each of these positive instructions, the king must do “for himself”.

Even though the king is the one above the rest, yet with these instructions, it is clear that he must subordinate himself to Yahweh, and live a life of obedience to Yahweh. 

As we bring this thought into our present circumstances, we can then develop an understanding of how leadership in church should be like. Leadership need not follow a prescribed order (leaders of different kinds had led the Israelites throughout history), but leaders who lead God’s church must be people chosen by God. As members of a church, we have the responsibility to pray and to discern God’s will, and seek to be led by faithful persons called by God.

Leaders should not look at leadership as positions to gain power and fame, but instead to see themselves as models pointing members to God. Therefore, leaders ought to read, hear, and obey God’s Word for themselves, so that they may be able to model the link between knowing God’s Word, and fearing and obeying God. In so doing, they may then be able to lead the church to live out God’s commandments and commission. 

Lest we think that it is just the job of the leaders to obey God, all of us as disciples of Christ, must too, know God, fear God, and obey God, preparing ourselves for the day when God will call us to lead His people. What a beautiful picture it is to behold then, when all of us, each one of us, live out God’s commandments in obedience.

Prayer: Dear Father, I seek to follow Your will, to know Your Word, to fear You, and to obey You. Please help me, especially in my times of weakness, to always turn to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.