Made For Mission: In Search of a King for God's People

In the past few weeks, we’ve been studying foundational truths about what the Bible has to say about mission. We’ve learned that God’s original mission was to create a people who would glorify Him in all spheres of life. When the first humans rebelled against God, sin and death entered the picture and God’s mission changed. Because of this new reality, the mission shifted to include the notion of redemption. Because of sin, no human being can please God. If we cannot please God, then our lives are futile and our death means eternal separation from the One who made us. So, God promised to send a new Adam, a person who would fulfill the original purpose for humanity: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Because Jesus lived a life where He glorified God in all spheres of life, something impossible for the rest of us, by His death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, He became our Savior and Redeemer. Those who place their trust in Him are redeemed in the eyes of God. 

This redemption had its beginning in the person of Abraham, through whom God established a treasured people out of all the people on the earth. Through this group, the whole world would be blessed. Out of the Jewish people, Jesus was born. 

This week, we’ll look at the need for a leader who makes it their mission to help others follow God’s mission. In our passage today, the current leader of Israel was Moses. But, there would come a time after the Israelites were settled in their land when they would desire an earthly king to lead them. And so God gave Moses criteria for the people to think about when this king was chosen. 

How to Use This Guide 

Thank you for taking the time to do this Bible study. When we dig deeper into God’s word, He promises to bless us. We follow in the footsteps of King David, who wrote in Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

This guide will provide a weekly framework for spiritual conversations with friends or family. We encourage you to reach out to a friend or two, pick a time to get together each week, and work through this guide together. This Bible study can also be a good tool for families, perhaps coordinated with mealtimes.

What does the Bible say?

The chapter in focus is part of a large section in the book of Deuteronomy that lays out Moses’ last words to the people of Israel before his death. The Israelites were on the verge of entering the Promised Land. God led Moses to state His truths to the people and thereby keep them from sinning against Him. In this speech, Moses covers a wide range of topics. We’ll look at what he had to say on the subject of kings.

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Read Deut. 17:14–20.

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What does Moses predict will happen in Deuteronomy 17:14? There is a clue in this verse that the people’s motive for wanting a king was not entirely pure. Can you see it? Read 1 Samuel 8 which records how Israel got her first king. 

What are the restrictions set by God for Israel’s king in Deuteronomy 17:15-20? We’ll divide the teaching up into two categories: 1) Instructions for the nation 2) Instructions to the appointed king: a) what not to do b) what to do. 

Instructions for the nation:

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“Be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses” (verse 15).

How were the people to know who the Lord would choose? One clue lies in the sections before and after the present one. In Deuteronomy 17:8-13, Moses describes the role of the judge and the priests in ruling the people. At that moment, Moses was the judge who settled differences between people and gave direction. He was also a prophet who heard from and spoke on behalf of God (see Deuteronomy 34:10). The next leader would be Joshua. The book of Judges lays out the many people, both men and women, who were the judges and prophets over Israel. 

The verses that precede the instruction about kings make it clear that the judge or prophet over Israel was to work in tandem with the priests. This is why it is interesting that following the requirements about a future king, Moses gives instructions about providing for Israel’s priests in Deuteronomy 18:1-8. In these passages, the roles of prophet and priest are key in the way God wanted Israel to be ruled. Soon a king would be added. 

There is a great balance and accountability in this 3-fold approach to leadership. Usually, these roles would be appointed to three different people. But, in Jesus Christ, we see all three in His Person and work. In His earthly ministry, He was a Prophet who, like Old Testament prophets spoke God’s word to the people, foretold future events, and performed miracles. Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1). Jesus is also our High Priest. He served as a mediator between humans and God. He is our Mediator and our High Priest (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4-10). Jesus is also King. He is the ruler over all (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 15:3, 17:14, 19:16).

So, how would Israel determine their king? God’s choice would be made known through the prophet in place at the time. He would then be inaugurated with the priestly oil. Our Old Testament’s King David is a good example of a king who valued and listened to wise prophets and priests during his reign.

“He must be from among your fellow Israelites. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not an Israelite” (verse 15). 

This seems to be a reasonable and logical restriction. From our biblical account, it seems that Israel obeyed both of these requests.

Now we come to the 2-part list of things the appointed king must do and not do. 

What are the things the king should not do, according to Deuteronomy 17:16-17? These boil down to issues of power and greed. The Lord’s king should be careful not to fall prey to these very human inclinations. In the circumstances of that day, power was connected to military might and horses were most valuable in battle. Marriages were many times arranged for political purposes. Wives could represent alliances with other countries and with these agreements came the gods of the wives which they brought from their homes. King Solomon was especially susceptible to following after the gods that his many wives introduced to the nation. Accumulating large amounts of silver and gold points to greed. This bad quality reveals selfishness and even fear and a lack of faith that God would not provide what the nation needed. 

What are the things the king should do, according to Deuteronomy 17:18-20? What should the king write himself? What do you think about this idea? What else is the king to do with the law of God and why? What should the king look out for in verse 20? What is the reward if the king does as God requires in this section?

It is perhaps hard for contemporary ears to take in these instructions for a king, especially those who live in countries where there is no king. But, we do have leaders, both in and outside of the church who can follow the same principles. How many times do we hear of failures from our leaders as a result of either striving for power or retaining their power at all cost? How disheartening it is when they make alliances with the wrong kinds of people and are then influenced by their ways. How destabilizing it is when we recognize greediness and its effects.

But, we know that our human leaders are just that, human. We’ve been learning in this series that God’s mission is one of redemption. This is because we need redeeming. Christians are also called to be a part of this mission. One way we can be a part of God’s redemptive activity when it comes to our leaders is to make our voices heard. We can vote. When voting is not an option, we can use other forms of communication to make our concerns known. All the while, we can bring everything to our God in prayer, which is our most important asset.

When we are discouraged we can look to Jesus. He is the King who will never fail us. He is sinless. Moreover, He holds ALL power, even over our earthly leaders. Take in and meditate upon these powerful words about our King in 1 Timothy 1:17:

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 

Discussion Questions for Small Groups:

1. Make a top-ten list of qualities you hope to find in a godly leader. 

2. Can you give an example of a good and godly leader in your life? Tell the rest of your group about this person.

3. Pastor Josh spent time talking about King David in his sermon last weekend. 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22 tell us that God considered David a “man after His own heart”. What do you think this means? Would you consider yourself a person after God’s own heart? Why? Why do you think a Christian leader should be a person after God’s own heart?

4. What do you think about Josh’s main point: God’s missional people need a KING to keep the people on mission?

5. How do you think our church can affirm Jesus as King?