Deuteronomy 17

1“Never sacrifice sick or defective cattle, sheep, or goats to the LORD your God, for he detests such gifts. i 16:16, 17 Three times a year every male was to make a journey _task and choose other spiritual leaders who would lead the tribes, to the sanctuary in the city that would be designated as Israel's districts, and cities with justice and God’s wisdom. Because they religious. capital, At these festivals, each participant was encour- did not appoint wise judges and faithful administrators, rebellion aged to give what he could in proportion to what God had given and injustice plagued their communities. It is a serious responsihim. God does not expect us to give more than we can, but we will _ bility to appoint or elect wise and just officials. In your sphere be blessed when we give cheerfully. For some, 10 percent may be _of influence-—home, church, school, job—are you ensuring a burden. For most of us, that would be far too little. Look at what —_that justice and godliness prevail? Failing to choose leaders who you have and then give in proportion to what you have been given. uphold justice can lead to much trouble, as Israel would discover. 16:18-20 These verses anticipated a great problem the Israelites 17:1 The fact that this command was included probably indiwould face when they arrived in the Promised Land. Although they cates that some israelites were sacrificing imperfect or deformed had Joshua as their national leader, they failed to complete the animats to God. Then, as now, it is difficult and expensive to offer 2“When you begin living in the towns the LORD your God is giving you, a man or woman among you might do evil in the sight of the LORD your God and violate the covenant. 3For instance, they might serve other gods or worship the sun, the moon, or any of the stars—the forces of heaven—which I have strictly forbidden. 4When you hear about it, investigate the matter thoroughly. If it is true that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, 5then the man or woman who has committed such an evil act must be taken to the gates of the town and stoned to death. 6But never put a person to death on the testimony of only one witness. There must always be two or three witnesses. 7The witnesses must throw the first stones, and then all the people may join in. In this-way, you will purge the evil from among you. 8“Suppose a case arises in a local court that is too hard for you to decide—for instance, whether someone is guilty of murder or only of manslaughter, or a difficult lawsuit, or a case involving different kinds of assault. Take such legal cases to the place the LORD your God will choose, Sand present them to the Levitical priests or the judge on duty at that time. They will hear the case and declare the verdict. 10You must carry out the verdict they announce and the sentence they prescribe at the place the LORD chooses. You must do exactly what they say. 11After they have interpreted the law and declared their verdict, the sentence they impose must be fully executed; do not modify it in any way. 12Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the LORD your God must die. In this way you will purge the evil from Israel. 1? Then everyone else will hear about it and be afraid to act so arrogantly.

Guidelines for a King

1414“You are about to enter the land the LORD your God is giving you. When you take it over and settle there, you may think, ‘We should select a king to rule over us like the other nations around us.’ 15If this happens, be sure to select as king the man the LORD your God chooses. You must appoint a fellow Israelite; he may not be a foreigner. 16" The king must not build up a large stable of horses for himself or send his people to Egypt to buy horses, for the LORD has told you, ‘You must never return to Egypt.’ 1” The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from the LORD. And he must not accumulate large amounts of wealth in silver and gold for himself. 18When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction onascroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. 19He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the LORD his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. 20This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he isabove his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.