Deuteronomy 17

CHAPTER 17

Worshiping Other Gods (17:1–7)

1 Here, in between a section on judges (Deuteronomy 16:18–20) and a section on law courts (verses 8–13), Moses inserts a section on worshiping false gods, including both idols and heavenly bodies (verse 3). Israel’s whole system of justice was derived from the laws laid down by the one true God; if the people turned away from that God there could be no true justice in Israel.

Obedience to Israel’s God included correct forms of worship: nothing defective or without value was to be offered to God (see Exodus 12:3–7; Leviticus 1:1–2 and comments).

2–7 In these verses, Moses describes the judicial steps to be taken when someone is accused of worshiping a false god in violation of the first two commandments (see Exodus 20:3–6 and comment). There must be a thorough investigation, and at least two witnesses must confirm the accusation (Numbers 35:30; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1). The accused person must be brought to the city gate (verse 5), the customary meeting place for judges and city officials; and then if his guilt is proven he is to be stoned, with the witnesses against him throwing the first stones (see Deuteronomy 13:6–11 and comment).

Again the reason for this harsh penalty is affirmed: You must purge the evil from among you (verse 7). Evil within a community spreads much faster than good does; evil must be removed quickly, or else the entire community will be defiled and its covenant relationship with God broken (1 Corinthians 5:6–13).

Law Courts (17:8–13)

8–13 Difficult court cases were to be referred to a higher or central court, where both a priest and a judge would render a verdict. This verdict was final. Anyone who showed contempt for the priest and judge by disregarding their verdict was to be executed, because by showing contempt for judicial authorities one undermined the whole judicial system. Such punishment not only brought justice to the wrongdoer, but it deterred others from wrongdoing as well (verse 13).

The King (17:14–20)

14–17 Israel’s true king was God Himself (Deuteronomy 33:5). But God knew that in time the Israelites would want to appoint a human king such as other nations had. Even though their first king was asked for in the wrong spirit⁴⁷ (1 Samuel 8:4–9), God did plan to establish a royal house in Israel from which eventually would come the greatest King of all, Jesus Christ.

In this section, then, the rules concerning the selection and the conduct of future kings are given. Israel’s kings were not to be like those of other nations. The king was to be chosen by God and was to be an Israelite (verse 15); he was not to use his position to acquire many horses, many wives, or much silver and gold⁴⁸ (verses 16–17).

18–20 All future kings were to remember that there was a King in heaven over them. Therefore, they would be required to write down a copy of this law (verse 18)—most likely the book of Deuteronomy—so that they could study it and follow it. The king was not “above the law”; he had to obey it just like any other Israelite. If the king obeyed all of these instructions, then God would grant him a long reign (verse 20).