Impartial Judges, Respected Priests and Humble Kings

Impartial Judges, Respected Priests and Humble Kings were to be the marks of the governing bodies of ancient Israel. When we read Deuteronomy 16-17 today, we have come to expect that God's standards are such. But we must put ourselves in the position of Israel. They were saved from a nation who worshipped their king (Pharaoh) and lived luxuriously off the backs of Israeli slave labor. They saw the priest fawn over Pharaoh and do his bidding, they were familiar with judges who had one rule for Egyptians and one for Israel. They also would have been familiar with the nations in Canaan who most likely lived similarly in such matters pertaining to their governance.

What we find in Deuteronomy 16-17 is nothing less than the most unexpected code of conduct for an ancient people concerning their national policies. Today we herald these values as essential to a thriving country. They come from the Nation God founded and freed.

First, Israel was to have impartial judges.
Deuteronomy 16:18–20 (ESV) “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. 19 You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. 20 Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Notice the last phrase God cites as the reason impartiality in justice was so necessary. That they may LIVE and inherit the land God gives them. God knows that impartiality in the justice system, not beholden to kings, status or special treatment of any particular group will only cause His people to thrive. When justice, not money is the foundational principle, the people are truly free.

Second, Israel was to have a Respected Priesthood. They were to decide the difficult matters for the nation. 

Deuteronomy 17:9–11 (ESV) And you shall come to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office in those days, and you shall consult them, and they shall declare to you the decision. 10 Then you shall do according to what they declare to you from that place that the LORD will choose. And you shall be careful to do according to all that they direct you. 11 According to the instructions that they give you, and according to the decision which they pronounce to you, you shall do. You shall not turn aside from the verdict that they declare to you, either to the right hand or to the left.

Now think of this. Priests were those who ministered in the Lord's temple and maintained purity and holiness for His service. Israel was to look to them for important judgments regarding community life among themselves. God wants those who lead the body spiritually to render justice impartially AND then He would that the people highly regard the leadership of His special priests. Today we are further from this standard than ever. The courts are secular and the local pastor is often regarded as outdated and uninformed. Yet a man who ministers close to God's presence will be rightly equipped to manage the challenging circumstances of a community. 

There is an important lesson here for Preachers, Pastors and leaders in the local Church. Dwelling close to God is essential for good leadership. If you want the people's respect, dwell in the tabernacle of God, hearing Him, serving Him, and abiding with Him. We do well to remember the cause of note for Peter and the Apostles was that they had been "with Jesus."

Finally, the King must be humble and uninterested in selfish gain. 

Deuteronomy 17:16–18 (ESV) Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the LORD has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’ 17 And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold. 18 “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests.

The king was to be self-less. God's anointed one would be one whose desire was for the flourishing of the nation. Looking to Egypt for armament, royal treaties through marriage or riches were not to be the source and foundation of Israel's leader. He was to be the first in setting an example for the people that leadership is not about what one gets out of it, but what one gives through it to those God loves. 

Sadly, all three categories were rare in Israel's history. The judges were spotty at best. The priests grew corrupted and lost the respect of the people in Eli's time, and Solomon systematically broke every command concerning kings in Deuteronomy 17.  

This all left Israel longing for the true fulfillment of such stipulations. And in Jesus, they are met. He judges impartially knowing the thoughts and intents of the heart, He commands respect having been revered even by those of notable status in the Gospels. And He reigns humbly - King of kings and Lord of lords. 

The world is full of lousy justice, stained priesthoods and self-absorbed national leaders. Their overwhelming presence causes us to long for what God made us for. The true King of our very being and all that exists - Jesus Christ.