8.12.26 – Prepare for Kingship

Many of us are familiar with Revelation 1:6 and 5:10, which tell us of God's plan to make us "kings" and "priests." In this week's Torah portion, Shoftim, the Torah teaches us a fascinating commandment concerning every king (Deut. 17:18–19): to make two copies of the Torah—one that goes with him everywhere and one that stays before the priests (kohanim).

Why does the Torah give a separate commandment for the king to do this? Should we all do it as potential kings? And as kings under the King of kings (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 19:16), will we?

Whether he goes to battle, enters the palace, sits in judgment, or sits down to eat—he has a copy with him. Everywhere, except the bathroom.

But why two? Inquiring minds want to know.

On one hand, the Torah represents unwavering truth that remains unchangeable, unbendable, and unfazed by the flux of time, space, and history: Shabbat, prayer, unleavened bread, the shofar, the sukkah, baptism (mikvah), the mezuzah, the text itself, brit milah (circumcision)—all eternal, unchangeable Divine laws and truths. You may be saying, "Duh," but why two copies?

The key to the second copy lies within the changes of every generation. Each generation is different. The issues that plagued us half a century ago are not the issues we confront today, and conversely, today we have dilemmas never before experienced in history. Our bodies, mental bombardment, the war against our souls, our sensitivities, and our environments are all different.

One Torah remains immune to change. The second must adapt to the ever-changing world without changing the timeless truths. If the Torah is true, it is true in all times and in all places. If it is not true, who needs it? (1 Cor. 15:32).

Did you notice in Deut. 17:19 that the king is supposed to read it daily, every day of his life, so that he learns to fear God and to observe all the words of this Torah? It is a good time for another question: Does reading the Torah produce the fear of God? No. Does it guarantee that I will observe it? No.

But if he reads in it—v'kara bo, as the text says—all the days of his life, it will produce the fear of God. Huh?

This means that the leader-king must be able to see in the Torah a perspective for "all the days of his life"—for everything that transpires in his life and in the life of his people. He has to read in it his entire biography (kol yemei chayav), all the events of his life. Every new situation has a perspective from the Torah, guidance from God's blueprint for life. Now, that type of "reading" will produce the fear of God!

The Torah—God's instruction—is the Divine blueprint not only for timeless truths but also for timely issues and questions. It speaks to each generation, addressing its dilemmas and concerns—and Lord knows, we have got a lot of dilemmas.

Make your calling and election sure, future King (2 Pet. 1:5–12).

Shalom,
Alan

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