Deuteronomy 17: Spiritual Safeguards

Moses knows that his time is coming to a close and he will soon be passing from the scene.  In Deuteronomy 17, he attempts to erect procedural safeguards to ensure that the Israelite nation stays strong and spiritually healthy in their relationship with God.

First, Moses reiterates the necessity of the death penalty by community stoning in the event of idolatry (vs. 2-7).  If, after a thorough investigation and trial, it is shown that a man or woman worshiped other gods, they are to be killed at the gates of the town.  The death penalty is applied, not only as an extreme punishment fitting the crime of breaking the covenant with the Lord, but also as a deterrent to keep others from similarly going astray.  In this way, evil will be purged from their midst (vs. 7).

Second, Moses buttresses the legal system by emphasizing what happens when a difficult decision must be made (vs. 8-13).  If the local towns cannot make a determination regarding guilt or innocence or appropriate punishment, they are to go the Tabernacle and consult with the priests and the judge.  Whatever they say goes, maintains Moses, supporting their authority in advance so that the nation may remain cohesive and securely under the leadership of the central power.  If the priests and judge are not obeyed, the penalty for any troublemakers is death (vs. 12).  Again, the point is to "purge the evil from Israel," and build a deterrent effect against disobedience.  "All the people will hear and be afraid, and will not act presumptuously again" (vs. 13).

Finally, Moses also has a word to say about the future kings that he foresees the people will crown (vs. 14-20).  He is concerned that kings be only from among the Israelite people, that they not be greedy for gain and gold, that they not seek to return to Egypt, and that they not be led astray by taking many wives for themselves.  Instead, they are to focus their minds and hearts on the law of the Lord, reading it all the days of his life.  Thus will the kingdom be kept stable and secure.  It's very unfortunate that many of Israel's kings did not heed these instructions.

The hope is that these practices, if kept faithfully, will help to safeguard the people's right standing before the Lord.