Godly Instructions

Godly instructions.  Back in February, I highlighted this Scripture: “When he is seated on his royal throne, he is to write a copy of this instruction for himself on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.  It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to observe all the words of this instruction, and to do these statues.  Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).  The kings were supposed to have a copy of the Holy Scripture with them as they reigned.  In our reading today, we read about King Joash, who becomes king of Judah and rules for forty years.  He was a good king, who did what was right in the Lord’s sight.  We read, that throughout his reign as king, the priest Jehoiada instructed him (2 Kings 12:2).  It is important for leaders to be surrounded by godly instruction.  Unfortunately, in our time, many have come to the conclusion that there is no place for mixing politics and religion.  I would suggest, unless a leader has godly instruction and wisdom, they are ill-equipped to perform the role as king.  In our nation’s history, many of the early colonies had religious tests for office, and had laws protecting Christian morality.