Deuteronomy 17:19

The dominant theme of the book is that the one God,

the Creator, has acted in history and called out a people,

rescued them from slavery, and entered into a covenant with them,

calling them to love Him with all their being.

All other allegiances are subordinate.

Also, there is an urgent need for the present generation to make a decision for the Lord is one of the main concerns in the book.

Repeatedly (48 times) the word “today” sounds in the ears of the people as they stand on the plains of Moab.

The word calls for decision now—not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today!

The previous generation failed to obey,

and they ended up wandering in the wilderness for 40 years before they all perished (1:41–46; 2:14–15).

The situation is urgent. Israel must obey today!

As Moses presides over covenant renewal, he is aware of the eventual apostasy of his people.

Israel will be a witness to the nations that human beings—despite the best advantages—cannot do the will of God without God’s help (4:25–28; 29:22–28; 30:1–10; 31:14–29; 32:15–38).

Deuteronomy bears witness to the hope that the Lord will someday do for Israel what it could not do for itself:

circumcise the peoples’ hearts so that keeping the law was as natural as breathing (30:6; cf. 10:16; 30:14).

The prophets were influenced by this hope and called it the new covenant—

a covenant by which the Lord would forgive the sins of his people and write the law on their hearts (; cf. ).

Paul said that such a day finally arrived in Christ, who perfectly kept the law while suffering its curses—

not for himself but for covenant-breakers.

Now when such sinners confess Jesus as Lord,

they are fully justified by God and empowered to do his will (; cf. ).

Closing in on our passage the flow of the text takes us back to chapter 16 and idolatry.

"“Do not set up an Asherah of any kind of wood next to the altar you will build for the Lord your God, "and do not set up a sacred pillar; the Lord your God hates them.” ()

Merrill, E. H. (2017). Deuteronomy. In E. A. Blum & T. Wax (Eds.), CSB Study Bible: Notes (p. 290). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

The Asherah and sacred pillar were cult objects representing the chief goddess and god (Baal).

Israel was told not to erect these pagan symbols next to the altar of the LORD.

Here you find the world and the worship of the One true and living God blended together.

What’s known as “syncretism”. Idolatry perverts truth and violates the first commandment.

God demands exclusive worship and prohibits mixing worldly religious practices with true worship.

Beeke, J. R., Barrett, M. P. V., & Bilkes, G. M. (Eds.). (2014). The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible (p. 277). Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books.

Whenever the true God does not occupy the center of worship,

some aspect of His creation will take His place, and this false center cannot hold.

This passage concerning idolatry and even how Israel is to judge it, goes till 17:7.

From vv8-13 there a provision made for complex cases at the central sanctuary,

where a higher court consisting of Levitical priests and an appointed judge examined the cases.

Then our passage concerning the king which isn’t uncommon in the world of that day.

What’s radical is in God’s economy this King, chosen by God, is a living, breathing servant of God and the people.

This law finds its final expression in the coming of a fellow Israelite who is a Servant-King (Jesus Christ, the true King) and not only washes the feet of His people ()

but lays down His life for them as well (, ).

For our purposes this morning I want to draw your attention to this man appointed by God and his relationship with the word of God.

This king isn’t to just to not gratify the love of honor by multiplying horses.

Nor is he just not to gratify the love of pleasure by multiplying wives (v17) as did Solomon did to his undoing.

Nor is he just not to gratify the love of riches by greatly multiplying silver and gold.

This king is actually to apply himself to God’s Word, which is to be his rule.

God’s word must be to him, better than all riches and honors and pleasures, than many horses, wives, and better than thousands of gold and silver.

Main Point: Apply yourself to God’s Word, which is to be your rule.

Sub Point: Applying yourself to profit from God’s word as the king did ().

So how do you profit from the Scriptures?

He is to (first of all)

A. RECORD the Word. "When he is seated on his royal throne, he is to write a copy of this instruction for himself on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.” ()

Even though there’s a good chance that the king could have had copies for himself, from his ancestors,

but he’s to have his own copy, that he is to write out by hand.

He is to record it.

As he takes the throne, he’s to first give himself to this task.

There would’ve been issues of the kingdom at home and abroad yet he’s to record a copy of God’s Word.

Then he’s to B. READ the Word. "It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to observe all the words of this instruction, and to do these statutes. "Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, he will not turn from this command to the right or the left, and he and his sons will continue reigning many years in Israel.” ()

Not only was the king to copy the law, but he was to read from it every day, it says, “he is to read from it all the days of his life” (in v19)

Having a Bible by him of his own writing, he must not think it enough to keep it in his cabinet, but he must read it.

Our souls require daily care and nourishment from the Scriptures! It’s the manna that gives us strength in the wilderness.

We must persevere in the use of the written word of God as long as we live.

As scholars of Christ’s we never learn above our Bibles!

Actually we will have a constant need for the holy Scriptures till we come to that world where knowledge and love will both be made perfect!

He Read to be Possessed by the Word. “so that he may learn” (v19)

To be possessed by Scripture is to have a reverent and awesome regard to the divine majesty and authority.

It says the king is to “learn to fear the Lord His God”.

Meaning this: as high as the king is, he must remember that God is above him.

He Read to be a Practitioner of the Word. “to observe all the words of this instruction…to do these statues” (v19).

He doesn’t just make sure that others obey God, but as a humble servant to the God of heaven, he is to obey God!

He Read to be Preserved from evil (arrogance & apostasy). “Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, he will not turn from this command...” (v20a)

The scriptures are meant to humble him, and thus - preserve him.

He isn’t to trample upon his countrymen.

He’s greater than anyone but he’s less than the whole, so he’s not to be arrogant.

He Read to be Prolonged during his days. “and he and his sons will continue reigning many years in Israel.” (v20b)

So now look back to v19. It says, “...he [the king] is to read from it [scripture]...”

Ignorance of scripture is the mother of all error not devotion.

“You are mistaken” says Jesus, “because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God.” ()

Adam was forbid, upon pain of death, to taste of the tree of knowledge: "...on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.”” ()

But there is no danger of touching this tree of holy scriptures;

if we do not eat of this tree of knowledge, we shall surely die.

So how do we seek to profit from our time in Scripture on a daily basis?

"Though I were to write out for him ten thousand points of my instruction, they would be regarded as something strange.” ()

#1. Remove the things that hinder your profiting.

A. Remove the love of every sin. A doctor can be spot on in his diagnosis of you, prescribe the perfect amount of medicine but of no avail if you drink poison.

The Scriptures provide the best prescriptions but sin lived-in poisons all!

Your body cannot thrive in a fever; nor can the soul, under the feverish heat of sinful desires!

B. Be aware of the thorns which will choke out the word.

These thorns are described by our Lord Jesus in as “the worries of this age”.

And the worries are defined in the verse as “the deceitfulness of wealth”.

This is the person that has their eye upon the bible but their heart is upon the world.

It’s not so much of what is written by the apostles as much of what is written in their check book!

This person isn’t going to profit by reading Scripture.

You might as well try and extract honey from a stone as to get any benefit from the scriptures.

#2. If you want to profit from Scripture,

If you want to profit from Scripture...

#2 Prepare your hearts to seek the Lord in the Word.

The heart is like an instrument that needs to be put in tune. “Now determine in your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God.” ()

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman B

Or "Rehoboam did what was evil, because he did not determine in his heart to seek the Lord.” ()

So we prepare our heart to hear God’s Word. Intentionally seeking to purge out unclean affection that hinder our time with the Lord.

In this we should be “wise as serpents;” before we come to these “waters of life”.

I used to come rashly to the reading of the word; and no wonder,

when I came without preparation,[that I’d go away with little profit.

It’s really wise for us to summon our thoughts together to attend that solemn work we are going about!

If you want to profit from the Word...

#3. Take it serious.

If you just skim over scripture, there is little profit there, but when you’re serious about it, it becomes the savor of life!

"For they are not meaningless words to you but they are your life...”” ()

Tell me, what’s more serious than how a man will read over his inheritance.

How serious would be the reading of that document?

In the scripture our salvation is concerned; it treats of the love of Christ, a serious subject.

"But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,” ()

Nichols, J. (1981). Puritan Sermons (Vol. 2, p. 61). Wheaton, IL: Richard Owen Roberts, Publishers.

That’s pretty important.

Christ loved us more than his own life even though we had a hand in his death,

yet that he should not leave us out of his will,

this is a love “that surpasses knowledge.” (.)

Who can read this without seriousness?

#4. Labor to remember what you read.

Satan would steal the word out of our minds (according to ,).

He has no intention of making use of Scripture, but he steals so that we don’t make use of it.

The Psalmist says, "Lord, I remember your judgments from long ago and find comfort.” ()

We are called by God in to “Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you...”.

It’s a sign of major sickness when you eat food and it just comes right back up and your body isn’t nourished by it.

If the word doesn’t light up your mind and dwell and feed your heart and soul, you’re not nourished!

Some of you will remember what’s said on Fox News more than what’s said in Scripture.

So how do we seek to profit from our time in Scripture on a daily basis?

#1. Remove the things that hinder your profiting.

#2. If you want to profit from Scripture, prepare your hearts to the reading of the Word.

#3. If you want to profit from the Word, take it serious.

#4. Labor to remember what you read.

Can I entice you to these actions with some wholesome fruit?

You can think about the blessings of Obed-edom that came to him because the ark was there. When David diverted the ark to his house it says, "... the Lord blessed Obed-edom and his whole family.” "It was reported to King David: “The Lord has blessed Obed-edom’s family and all that belongs to him because of the ark of God.” ...” ()

To have the scriptures sought after in these noted ways is blessings for you and your whole family!

Some of these blessings include:

ONE. Comfort against fear.

speaks about strengthening weak hands and steadying the shaking knees by reminding the cowardly: "Say to the cowardly: “Be strong; do not fear! Here is your God; vengeance is coming. God’s retribution is coming; he will save you.”” ()

Many may approach scriptures at such unsteady times as we live in with fear in their hearts concerning the nation we live in.

Many come to the bible like Mary to the tomb of Jesus our Lord,

with their hearts full of fears and their eyes full of tears,

only to close their bible “with fear and great joy;” (;)

TWO. A preservative against apostasy.

their hearts have been revived, and their hands strengthened in the Lord their God.

TWO. A preservative against apostasy.

God uses the holy Scripture to the preserving of 1000’s from error and damnable doctrines.

2 Peter describes people that are “untaught and unstable” that “twist” scripture to their own destruction and lead others “away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position.” ()

Yet vast multitudes, through grace, are kept and are confirmed and are stable in the truth

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers

because of the keeping power of God’s Spirit through His Word.

THREE. Conversion.

THREE. Edification.

FOUR. Edification.

Nec retinent patulœ commissa fideliter aures .*—HORATIIEpist. lib. i. ep. 18:70.

The Scriptures as a choice instrument to grow us and grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! ()

Think of how edifying Jude’s words are and I’m going to join them with words from .

"But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith...” ()

"Anyone who listens to me is happy, watching at my doors every day, waiting by the posts of my doorway. "For the one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord,” ()

You coming every day, watching at the doors of wisdom everyday!

Nichols, J. (1981). Puritan Sermons (Vol. 2, pp. 70–71). Wheaton, IL: Richard Owen Roberts, Publishers.

CONCLUSION.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.” (.) The author to the Hebrews speaks of some who were segnes auribus, “dull of hearing;” (;) yet they belonged to the election. Such as have weaker judgments may have stronger affections. Leah was tender-eyed, yet fruitful. A Christian’s intellectuals may be less quick and penetrating, yet that little knowledge he hath of scripture keeps him from sin; as a man that hath but weak sight, yet it keeps him from falling into the water.

I conclude with a couple of conclusions, a difficulty and a response.

ONE. Don’t be content with just a bare reading of Scripture. Labor to find some spiritual advancement and profit.

"The instruction of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter.” ()

TWO. You that have profited by reading and hearing scripture, adore God’s distinguishing grace!

DIFFICULTY. Some godly people may say, they fear that they don’t profit by the word that they read.

RESPONSE. Just as in your body, when there’s an illness certain medicines are applied.

For those that are ready to fain under the fear of not profiting from Scripture, let me apply some specific medicine to your soul.

1. You may profit by reading the word, though you come short of others.—

The ground which brought forth but thirty-fold was “good ground.” (.)

It was as good of ground as the 60 & 100 fold.

So don’t say that you don’t profit because you don’t grow as other saints.

Think of those men that were counted as strong men among David’s worthies, though they did not attain to the honor of the first three. (, , .)

"Was he not more honored than the Three? He became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three.” () "These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who had a reputation among the three warriors. "He was the most honored of the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard.” ()

These men weren’t of the three but they were still counted among the strong!

2. You may profit by reading the word, though you don’t apprehend it so quick.

—Some denouce themselves of not profiting - because they are but slow of understanding.

When our blessed Savior foretold His sufferings, the apostles themselves found that “it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it.” (.)

The author to the Hebrews speaks of some who were, “too lazy to understand” (;) yet they belonged to the election.

They were exhorted to “leave the elementary teaching…and go on to maturity...”!!

Some that have weaker perceptions may have stronger affections.

Leah was not pretty, yet her womb was fruitful.

A Christian’s intellectuals may be less quick and penetrating,

yet that little knowledge he has of scripture keeps him from sin.

As opposed to the prideful understanding of scripture and keeps them in a 1000 unnoticed sins!

3. You may profit by reading scripture, even if your memory isn’t as excellent as it used to be.

I’ve heard many-a-sweet saints speak about their memory has sprung a leak.

Christian, are you grieved you can’t remember more?

Then, for your comfort,

(1.) Thou may indeed have a regenerate heart, though you don’t have such a good memory anymore.

(2.) Though you can’t remember all you read, yet you remember that which you have most need of.—

At a feast we do not eat of every dish, but we take so much as nourisheth.

It is with a saved person’s memory as it is with a lamp:

though the lamp isn’t full of electricity as is needed for the furnace, yet it has enough electricity to light up the lamp.

though your memory isn’t full of scripture, yet don’t you retain enough as to make your love for God burn brightly?

Then be of good comfort; you do profit by what you read; and take notice of that encouraging scripture: "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” ()

The Holy Spirit will teach you and remind you! What a comfort!

Carson, D. A. (Ed.). (2015). NIV Zondervan Study Bible: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message (p. 313). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.