In 1 Kings 2:1-9, David gives some instructions to his son Solomon. It is typical in history for leaders to pass along exhortation to the one who would be their successors. President Bush probably has, or will, give advice to the incoming president. David knew the recipe for Solomon’s success: Be a man; and walk in the ways that God has instructed. These are strikingly familiar words to us if we know the account of Moses. When Moses spoke to the assembly of Israel he said these words: “Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47a).
Not too long after Moses commissioned the people, God charges Joshua with similar commands: “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success” (Joshua 1:7-8).
The message is clear: Be strong, be a man, obey God’s instruction, and you will have success. Obedience to the Law of Moses was a necessary condition for the fulfillment of God’s divine promises back then. And if we want blessings in our country today, our leaders need to recognize the importance of God's Law as we read it in God's Word.
Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. Keep the charge of the LORD
your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His
ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses,
that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn. - 1 Kings 2:2b-3
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