In the first part of this two-part series, we began our review of Deuteronomy, chapter 17:14-20, where we read about an instruction that was to be given to a king showing that he was not to look after his own personal interests as being foremost in his activities, but to learn to fear God and to observe His law and statutes.  We read in verse 14:

“When you come to the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it and then say, ‘I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me’…”

But why did God talk about a future king when Israel was a theocratic institution?   We read in 1 Samuel 8 that Israel demanded a king.  In verses 1-4, we read that Samuel was old and that his sons didn’t walk in the ways required of them.   Then in verse 4, we see how this affected the nation:

^“Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, ‘Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.’ But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’   So Samuel prayed to the LORD.”

Samuel knew that this was not the right course of action—that it was a SIN to ask for a king—but it had come about because his own sons had set such a bad example. Continuing with verses 7-10:

^“And the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behaviour of the king who will reign over them.’ So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who asked him for a king.”

In verses 11-18, he clearly set out the consequences of their request but they would have none of it, and in verses 19-22 is their response and that of God and the prophet Samuel:

^“Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, ‘No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.’And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the LORD. So the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Heed their voice, and make them a king.’ And Samuel said to the men of Israel, ‘Every man go to his city.’”

Then, as we read in 1 Samuel 9 and 10, Saul was the chosen one and anointed and proclaimed king.  

There appears to be no record of an Israelite king actually writing out the entire Law of the LORD as was instructed by Moses.   However, that does not invalidate its value in any way, nor does it prove, that it never happened. It is clear, of course, that David KNEW the Law of God, meditating in it day and night, and we should not assume that he himself did not actually write the Law himself in a personal book, as instructed by God in Deuteronomy 17:18.

While the Scripture says specifically that the king had to write his own copy, with his own hand, some feel that it was sufficient that it was written for him, upon his command, and being handed to him. This interpretation seems to defeat the purpose of God’s explicit command. There is great value in writing down the Scriptures yourself, as this also serves to retain them to memory. This practice, which had been recommended in the past by the Church of God, might have fallen into neglect by many. But to write at least key Scriptures down in a personal notebook—especially when you are still young in the faith—can be of great lasting importance. We are told to write God’s Law into our minds. In order to do this, we might be well advised to write it down first quite literally in a book, and to read in it day and night.

An excellent admonition is found in Proverbs 29:2: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”   That backs up what this admonition would achieve if followed through as instructed.

Knowing about, and keeping the Law of God, was an important function that the future kings of Israel were required to do so that they were kept in mind of the way that they should act for their own benefit and that of their subjects.   Unfortunately, there were good kings and bad kings in Israel and Judah.   The seeming resultant neglect showed that so many kings wanted to just do their own thing.

And so, what can WE learn from the requirements given to kings thousands of years ago?   The same approach by the people of God to honour our Creator and live by His Law, is of paramount importance.   Let us look at this passage of Scripture in Deuteronomy 17 and see what was required. Verse 16 states: “…he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’”

The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary makes these interesting observations:

“…he (the king) shall not multiply horses to himself—The use of these animals was not absolutely prohibited, nor is there any reason to conclude that they might not be employed as part of the state equipage. But the multiplication of horses would inevitably lead to many evils, to increased intercourse with foreign nations, especially with Egypt, to the importation of an animal to which the character of the country was not suited, to the establishment of an Oriental military despotism, to proud and pompous parade in peace, to a dependence upon Egypt in time of war, and a consequent withdrawal of trust and confidence in God (2 [Samuel] 8:4; 1 [Kings] 10:26; 2 [Chronicles] 1:16; 9:28; [Isaiah] 31:3).”

Barnes Notes on the Bible states:

“The spirit of the prohibition therefore is that the king of Israel must not, like other earthly potentates, put his trust in costly and formidable preparations for war (compare Hosea 1:7).

“Egypt was the principal source from where the nations of western Asia drew their supplies of this animal (compare Exodus 14:5 ff; 1 Kings 10:28-29; 2 Kings 7:6); but contact, traffic, or alliance which would ‘cause the people to return to Egypt’ would be to reverse that great and beneficent wonderwork of God which inaugurated the Mosaic covenant, the deliverance from the bondage of Egypt; and to bring about of set purpose that which God threatened Deuteronomy 28:68 as the most severe punishment for Israel’s sin.”

We can learn from this that, for us, such distraction and reliance on outside sources can lead us into areas that will probably not be conducive to our Christian Way of Life. In Matthew 19, we read the account of Jesus and the rich young ruler.  Wealth can be a way that can be more important to some than the Way that God has shown His people, and in verse 23 we read: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.’   We must not be distracted from our chosen path.

Deuteronomy 17:17 says: “Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.”

A classic example of this problem can be found with King Solomon’s departure from God in 1 Kings 11. Verse 3 shows the extent of the problem: “And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.”   Solomon’s actions with foreign princesses were in part for political ends, but introduced heathen cults into Israel.  He was not content with just one wife as is the instruction from God (cf Genesis 2:20-24; 1 Corinthians 7:2; 1 Timothy 3:2).   Although there are examples in the Old Testament where having multiple wives was extant, but this never occurred with the approval of God, and the outcomes were not good.  Again, distractions from our Godly calling can arise when the Way that is best for us is not adhered to.

“Multiplying gold and silver for himself” is a case of wealth being pursued as an end in itself, thus distracting from the much more important things in life.   It can be self-serving and we read in Matthew Poole’s Commentary: “Neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold, lest this should lift up his heart in confidence and pride, which God abhors, and beget in him a contempt of his people; and lest it should incline, or engage, or enable him to burden his people with immoderate exactions. They are not simply forbidden to be rich, if God made them so either by the voluntary gifts of their subjects, or by the spoils of their enemies, which was the case of David, and Solomon, and Jehoshaphat [etc.],  but they are forbidden either inordinately to desire, or irregularly to procure, great riches by grinding the faces of their poor people, or by other wicked arts and courses, as the manner of their neighbouring kings was.”

Deuteronomy 17:18-19 continues: “…so it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites.  And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes…“

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary reads as follows (our emphasis underlined): “He must carefully avoid everything that would turn him from God and religion. Riches, honours, and pleasures, are three great hinderances of godliness, (the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, and the pride of life,) especially to those in high stations; against these the king is here warned. The king must carefully study the law of God, and make that his rule; and having a copy of the Scriptures of his own writing, must read therein all the days of his life. It is not enough to have Bibles, but we must use them, use them daily, as long as we live.  The king’s writing and reading were as nothing, if he did not practise what he wrote and read. And those who fear God and keep his commandments, will fare the better for it even in this world.”

Deuteronomy 17:20 continues: “…that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.”

The Benson Commentary states “that his heart be not lifted up — He intimates, that the Scriptures, diligently read, are a powerful means to keep a person humble, because they show him that, though a king, he is subject to a higher monarch, to whom he must give an account of all his administrations, and receive from him his sentence, agreeably to their quality, which is sufficient to abate the pride of the haughtiest person in the world.”

We read earlier that the king must read God’s law (or Word) every day of his life. Not only must he read it, but he must develop the skill to interpret and apply it rightly and fairly. We can take from that, that we must also read God’s Word daily as part of our Christian Way of Life.   If it was good enough for the king, it would certainly be deemed to be good enough for us!

A godly leader must be a humble person, serving always with humility. The Israelite king was told “that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren.” He may have had a far superior position; nevertheless, he was, like his brethren, still a servant of God.

We are to be kings and priests in the Kingdom of God, as we read in Revelation 5:10: “And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”  This is the time when the Law of God will be the Way that people will live in the Kingdom of God during the 1,000 millennial rule of Jesus Christ.

Learning these lessons today from this passage of Scripture will help us to see what will be required of us when we become a member of the Family of God at the return of Jesus Christ.

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

In the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 17, we read about an instruction that was to be given to a king showing that he was not to look after his own personal interests as being foremost in his activities, but to learn to fear God and to observe His law and statutes. Deuteronomy 17:14-20 reads as follows:

“When you come to the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it and then say, ‘I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,’ you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.”

In respect of what qualified as a book that the king had to write out as a copy, we read these observations In Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible:

“In our opinion, neither a few verses nor a short document qualifies as ‘a book.’ Perhaps this is the reason that the Septuagint (LXX) translated this place in such a manner as to make the meaning ‘a copy of all the law of God.’ Recent knowledge of the suzerainty treaties (see below for an explanation of these) and the resemblance to them found in Deuteronomy has shed some light on this, and, as Kline expressed it: ‘A duplicate copy of the suzerainty treaty was provided for each vassal king.’… Moreover, that ‘copy’ was not a few excerpts, but the whole document, the entire treaty. That is clearly what is indicated here.

“Canon Cook discerned this a long time ago, writing that, ‘What was given to the king was the whole Pentateuch, or at any rate the legal portion of it… Only the whole law of the covenant could preserve the king from the dangers of his position.’… Note also, in this connection, what was to be copied: It was that which was laid up ‘before the priests and the Levites,’ (Deuteronomy 17:18) and that is a clear reference to ALL of the sacred law. [The Pulpit Commentary] also concurred in this view: ‘The priests were the custodians of the written Law (Deuteronomy 31:26) and from the text of their codex was the king’s copy to be written…”

What are the suzerainty treaties referred to above? Wikipedia states that these were the “Type of relationship between a dominant and a vassal state.  Suzerainty includes the rights and obligations of a person, state or other polity which controls the foreign policy and relations of a tributary state, but allows the tributary state internal autonomy. Where the subordinate party is called a vassal, vassal state or tributary state, the dominant party is called a suzerain.” 

Why should this be of any real interest and importance to us today? If the king did not follow this instruction and practice about which he was commanded to both read and write out, he would be like the rest of the world and miss out on the benefits that following such an instruction would bring. It took work but was surely worth all of the effort in following what God instructed for his own good and that of his subjects and nation.

This Q&A is not designed to be a thorough exposition of everything that surrounded this instruction and all the different views that many have about it today, but to show the wisdom of God in issuing this requirement then and what we can learn from this today.

Theologyofwork.org makes these interesting and legitimate observations:

“Just as people and institutions must not contravene legitimate authority, people in positions of power must not use their authority illegitimately. Moses specifically deals with the case of a king… He shall have a copy of this law diligently observing all the words of this law and these statutes, neither exalting himself above other members of the community nor turning aside from the commandment, either to the right or to the left… In this text we see two restrictions on the use of authority—those in authority are not above the law but must obey and uphold it, and those in authority must not abuse their power by enriching themselves…

“Today, people in authority may try to put themselves above the law, as for example when police and court workers ‘fix’ traffic tickets for themselves and their friends, or when high-ranking public servants or business employees do not obey the expense policies others are subject to.  Similarly, officials may use their power to enrich themselves receiving bribes, zoning, and licensing exemptions, access to privileged information, or personal use of public or private property. Sometimes special perks are granted to those in power as a matter of policy or law, but this does not really eliminate the offense. Moses’ command to kings is not to make sure to get legal authorization for their excesses, but to avoid the excesses altogether. When those in power use their authority not simply to gain special privileges but to create monopolies for their cronies, to appropriate vast lands and assets, and to jail, torture, or kill opponents, the stakes become deadly. There is no difference in kind between petty abuses of power and totalitarian oppression, merely in degree…

“The more authority you have, the greater the temptation to act as though you are above the law. Moses prescribes an antidote. The king must read God’s law (or word) every day of his life. Not only must he read it, but he must develop the skill to interpret and apply it rightly and fairly. He must develop the habit of obeying God’s word himself, of putting it into practice in his work, ‘diligently observing all the words of this law’ (Deuteronomy 17:19).  By this the king learns to revere the Lord and fulfill the responsibilities God has given him. He is reminded that he too is under authority. God does not give him the privilege of making a law unto himself, but a duty of fulfilling God’s law for the benefit of everyone.”

These comments, as far as they go, are very helpful. However, what this commentary and many others overlook or fail to mention is the instruction that the king had to write himself God’s Word in a personal book of his to read from it (compare Deuteronomy 17:18: “… he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites.”). We will address this unique requirement in the next instalment.

Let us look at what the torah.com has to say about this matter:

“The book of Deuteronomy presents itself as the final address of Moses, delivered to the Israelites upon the plains of Moab, on the verge of their entry into the land.  The book is set in the time between the wilderness period and Israel’s future life as inhabitants of the land, a space opened between memories and threats, past and future.

“The core of the book is the Deuteronomic law collection, spanning chapters 12–26 which is followed in chapter 28 by a list of the rewards for obedience (vv. 1–14)and a much longer list of consequences for disobedience (vv. 15–69).

“Moses’s Deuteronomic address, delivered to the Israelites on the eve of their entry into the land, anticipates and establishes the perpetuity of the Israel’s subjection to YHWH’s rule. In this, YHWH was no different from any other suzerain in the ancient Near East, or ever since. The people as a multitude and as a nation are placed at a juncture in which they have to agree to serve YHWH loyalty, or face an endless slew of punishment, and they remain in that juncture ever since.

“For the people standing in the Plains of Moab, compliance is not really a choice at this point. The revelation at Horeb has already taken place, the previous generation has already been punished for its sins, and the laws have already been explicated. Israel’s agency here is limited to their agreeing to follow YHWH’s commands or suffer the deity’s wrath.”

Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible has this to say: “Thus he should ensure that he had his own copy of the record of Yahweh’s doings and of His Law as contained in the books which were in the levitical priests’ care. (As Deuteronomy was not, at this stage in his speech, in written form, this must refer to an earlier written Law). And he must keep it ever by him and read it every day of his life, so that he might learn to fear Yahweh his God, and keep His Instruction and what He had laid down, in accordance with what was now being spoken of by Moses.” 

From the jewishvirtuallibrary.org website we read about the problems after the death of Solomon:

“The experiment with the opulence and power of the great eastern kingdoms had ended in disaster for Israel.  King Solomon created the wealthiest and most powerful central government the Hebrews would ever see, but he did so at an impossibly high cost. When Solomon died, between 926 and 922 BCE, the ten northern tribes refused to submit to his son, Rehoboam, and revolted.

“From this point on, there would be two kingdoms of Hebrews: in the north – Israel, and in the south – Judah.  The Israelites formed their capital in the city of Samaria, and the Judaeans kept their capital in Jerusalem. These kingdoms remained separate states for over two hundred years. [In fact, they never became united again. This will only happen after Christ’s return.]

“The history of the both kingdoms is a litany of ineffective, disobedient, and corrupt kings. When the Hebrews had first asked for a king, in the book of Judges, they were told that only God was their king. When they approached Samuel the Prophet, he told them the desire for a king was an act of disobedience and that they would pay dearly if they established a monarchy. The history told in the Hebrew book, Kings, bears out Samuel’s warning.” 

(To be continued)

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

In the first part of this two-part series, we looked at some of the superstitions that are commonplace in society today.   Let us continue in reviewing this practice.

We read the following at gotquestions.org: “There are many types of superstitions in the world, ranging from the benign—such as not walking under a ladder—to the occult practices of astrology, black magic, divination, voodoo and sorcery. Scripture condemns those who practice astrology (Deuteronomy 4:19), magic, divination and sorcery (2 Kings 21:6; Isaiah 2:6). Idolatry is also forbidden, and no one who practices it will enter the Kingdom of God (Revelation 21:27). These types of practices are extremely dangerous because they open the minds of the practitioners to the influence of the devil.”

On the bible-dictionary.info, we read about superstition:

“An irrational belief or fear that an object or other factor has the power to affect a person’s life with some action bringing bad luck or occasionally good luck. There is no Christian, rational or scientific basis for such behaviour as putting confidence in a lucky charm or doing something to gain protection from misfortune or to bring good luck. God causes or allows everything in keeping with His divine plan (Isaiah 46:9-11; Acts 4:26-28; Ephesians 1:9, 10). 

“Any unbiblical, irrational fear or ritual falls into the realm of superstition with some things what is often termed just a coincidence (1 Samuel 5:4,5; 1 Kings 20:23; Acts 28:3-6).

“However, the Bible says that God’s purposes will prevail and that He is in control of even the most random event (Proverbs 19:21).

“Superstitions range from not walking under a ladder, through astrology, black magic and divination, to voodoo and sorcery. These types of practices are forbidden in Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:10-12;  2 Kings 21:6; Isaiah 2:6). The Bible warns against being taken captive by deceptive philosophies, which are based on human traditions, rather than on Christ; instead we should be alert to the enemies’ tactics as these practices open the mind of the practitioners to the influence of evil (Colossians 2:8-10; 1 Timothy 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8). We are not to give credence or pay attention to superstitions; instead God’s laws, plans and help should be our focus.”

Let us review those Scriptures mentioned above:

Deuteronomy 18:10-12: “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.  For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.”

The Benson Commentary observes as follows (we quote just a few comments from many that are made):

“That maketh his son or daughter pass through the fire — By a superstitious dedicating, or a cruel sacrificing of them, see on Leviticus 18:2.  That useth divination — Of which there were many sorts, as is implied in the original expressions here: קסם קסמים, kosem kesamim, divining divinations, or with divinations. The meaning undoubtedly is, That seeketh to know or foretel things secret, or to come, by unlawful arts and practices. An observer of times — Superstitiously pronouncing some days lucky and others unlucky: or, an observer of the clouds, or heavens; 

“An enchanter — Or a conjecturer, that endeavours, or pretends, to discover hidden things by a superstitious use of words or ceremonies, by observation of water or smoke, or tiny contingencies.”

2 Kings 21:6: “Also he made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.”

Pretty much the same condemnation as in the previous observations on Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

Isaiah 2:6: “For You have forsaken Your people, the house of Jacob, Because they are filled with eastern ways; They are soothsayers like the Philistines, And they are pleased with the children of foreigners.”

The ways that God taught them were being cast aside for pagan gods.

In 1 Timothy 4:7 we read: “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.”

Here is an instruction to reject old wives’ fables – the word fable was “muthos”, from which the English words “myth” and “mythology” originate.   Young’s Analytical Concordance of the Bible also describes it as talk, tale or legend.

And 1 Peter 5:8 tells us where all of the wrong words and action emanate from: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

We read on the byjus.com website: “Superstitions are a universal phenomena having their own peculiar place in the cultural ethos and milieu of a people. They epitomize man’s fear of the unknown, fear of evil, blind faith in omens and portents. Superstitions are interwoven with myth, legend, unnatural phenomena and disaster, customs and traditions, and are mainly the outcome of ignorance. They are unreasonable and irrational beliefs that gradually become matters of faith. When certain things and happenings are rationally inexplicable people tend to assign mysterious and supernatural reasons for their operation. Thus a natural disaster is explained in terms of God’s wrath and the failure of one’s project is assigned to the black cat which crossed the path just as one set out on the errand.”

There are many references in the Word of God which clearly condemn the occult, magic, sorcery, witchcraft, astrology and idolatry from where much of superstitious ways emanate from.  It could be said that some of these actions are harmless like for example, crossing fingers, touching wood and throwing salt over your shoulder.   However, they are not harmless in God’s eyes, and a mindset can develop that can regularly involve such actions that progress on to matters of a more sinister nature and can be part of a way of life.

God has given us many warnings against superstition, idolatry, divination, (the art or act of foretelling future events or revealing occult knowledge by means of augury or an alleged supernatural agency), astrology, consulting horoscopes, witchcraft and sorcery (use of supernatural power over others through the assistance of spirits; witchcraft.).  

There are psychics and mediums today who flourish and thrive at the expense of those who are drawn into their web of deceit.   These are not the signs of a sound mind.

Let us look at a few Scriptures to show how important it is to have a sound mind.

In Isaiah 26:3, we read the following:  “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”   Trusting in God is clear evidence of a right mind which is hugely beneficial in the here and now and essential for life in the eternal Kingdom of God.

Romans 12:1-2 reads:  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary observes: “He (Paul) entreated the Romans, as his brethren in Christ, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. This is a powerful appeal. We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings? The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy (Spirit) first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God.”

As the people of God, we have to come out of this world and its ways, and replace them with getting, and staying close to God, and His ways.   Anything less will simply not do.

Reviewing 1 Corinthians 2:16 is instructive.  “For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”  

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers puts it well: 

“‘For’—This is the proof that the enlightened spiritual man cannot be judged by any one who is not thus enlightened. ‘Who (thus uninstructed) can know the mind of the Lord Jesus, that he may instruct Him?’; But we.—That is, spiritual men, including the Apostles. The Apostle here identifies Christ with the Spirit, whom he has previously spoken of as the Teacher of spiritual things. He does not mean to assert that the Apostles knew all that the mind of Christ knew, but that all things which they did know were from Him and spiritual (John 15:15).”

Philippians 4:6-7 states: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

connectusfund.org comments: “God’s peace is not like the peace of the world. The world’s peace is based on the world’s thinking, which is the thinking of Satan. The world’s peace is circumstantial and depends on comparisons. The world’s peace is fleeting. Here one moment, gone the next. One of Satan’s tricks towards man is to whisper foreboding forecasts and to lie about the meaning of the present situation in order to get you to forget the truth that you know and believe. God’s peace, when it comes, overshadows and drives away the anxiety of the world.” 

Further instruction is given in Colossians 3:2: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”   We can become too involved in earthly matters that our spiritual life, and future, can be relegated in our list of priorities until we realise that that is not the Way of God.

Finally, let us look at 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”   

This verse promises us that if we are led by the Holy Spirit which we receive at proper baptism and the laying on of hands, we can have a spiritually sound mind.  We read in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit is vitally important because by it we can be guided into the Truth of God.   That is where our emphasis must be, not on any superstition which has no value at all, but on the Truth that God has revealed to us and which will lead us along the right path towards being in the Kingdom of God when Jesus Christ returns to this earth.

Superstition in all its many forms can sidetrack us, to divert from a main issue or course, which is our calling from God.   A review of whether we have fallen prey to superstition in one way or another, however small that may be, could be worthy of our time.  If we have, without realising it, then corrective action can be taken.   Something as simple as crossing our fingers or knocking on wood might seem, at first glance, a minor matter but they remove what should be our total reliance on our great Creator God.

Please also see our four-part series, entitled “How do you view paganism today, and exactly what is it?”, and our Q&A, titled, “How can Satan and his demons appear to you?”

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

In answering this question, let us first of all define what superstition is. Wordnik defines this as follows:

“1. An irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.

“2. A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance.

“3. A fearful or abject state of mind resulting from such ignorance or irrationality.”

“Therefore, a superstitious person is one who relates to, or is swayed by superstition.

“Superstition is irrational as can be worked out when reviewing some of these actions that are taken by superstitious people:

“… crossing fingers for luck; touching [or knocking on] wood; not walking under a ladder (although it would be sensible if doing that to check that it was safe to do so); throwing salt over your shoulder; a black cat crossing your path; a broken mirror bringing seven years of bad luck; Friday the 13^th being an unlucky day. Some countries won’t have a 13^th level on an apartment block. Don’t open an umbrella inside a house. Finding a horseshoe is good luck.”

And there are more of course. Lucky charms are another source of superstition thinking that a ‘rabbit’s foot,’ a lucky horseshoe or a four-leafed clover can change one’s luck.  Because of its association with the Norse god Odin, the lowly acorn is also considered a symbol of luck. Odin hung himself from an oak tree to gain knowledge, so the acorn has come to symbolize wisdom.

Tempting fate is to invite bad luck or unpleasant situations by showing one’s confidence in something.

It is interesting that many football (soccer) players in the UK step on to the pitch with a variety of different things they do: crossing themselves, kissing their wrist, kissing the ground, looking up into the sky etc.   It could be that they think that it is part of their faith but the Bible nowhere states that such gestures have to be carried out.   It is more likely a ritual for superstitious players. 

One famous football goalkeeper for many years used to wear his socks inside-out during matches!

When a game is on a knife edge, many cricketers who are on the batting side and not on the field of play, will sit in the same position in the pavilion and not move until the outcome of the match is known.   One famous cricket umpire would dance on one foot when the score was on 87 or 111 as these are considered unlucky numbers.

One world famous tennis player goes through the same routine during every game. Before he serves, he places some of his hair behind each one of his ears and also tugs on his shorts and then touches several parts of his head just before serving.   Another champion tennis player always got up second from the chair and would also never step on the lines of the court. And a top female tennis player always brought her shower sandals to the court, tied her shoelaces a specific way and bounced the ball five times before her first serve and twice before her second.

Why?  Reuters reported some years ago that “psychologists say people often become superstitious when faced with unknown and stressful situations, which explains why so many athletes are superstitious and frequently bound to rigid preparation routines.  ‘When the stakes are high and there is a great deal of uncertainty – as in top-level sport – then people will try anything to get the outcome they want,’ Richard Stephens, a senior lecturer in psychology at Keele University, told Reuters.”

There can be references to the “sporting gods” as if they were real rather than just a figment of man’s imagination.

Astrology – looking at what the stars have in store for us – is a pastime, deemed to be harmless, that many regularly get involved with.  [This would also include consulting horoscopes to learn about our future.]  Deuteronomy 4:19 gives us God’s answer to such practices: “And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.”

The Bible is instructive when it teaches that “whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap” (see Galatians 6:7).   Such instruction reveals that actions produce good and bad results, depending on what they are and these are based on Godly wisdom, not just random or accidental events.

It has been said that because superstition is dependent upon unseen forces, atheists and agnostics often say that anyone who believes in God may well be superstitious.  Of course, this is erroneous thinking as those who truly believe in the great God are confident of, and can prove that, the Creation requires a Creator and there are spiritual unseen forces that must exist for this to have occurred.

We read in Colossians 2:8-10: “ Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

The Benson Commentary observes: “It seems some teachers had crept in among the Christians at Colosse, either of Gentile or Jewish extraction, who endeavoured to blend deceits of this kind with the gospel of Christ, and that this is what the apostle here condemns; 1st, Because it was empty and deceitful, promising wisdom, but giving none. 2d, Because it was grounded, not on truth, or solid reason, but on the vain and false traditions of men. 3d, Because, as the apostle here says, it was after the rudiments, στοιχεια, the elements, of the world — Such as the [unbiblical] Jewish ceremonies [being a product of human inventions], or the pagan superstitions.”

In 1 Samuel 5, we read about the Philistines taking the ark and putting it next to Dagon in the house of Dagon (verses 1-2).   In verses 4-5 we read: “And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso was left of it. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.”  

The Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary states the following: “Therefore neither the priests … nor any … tread on the threshold of Dagon—A superstitious ceremony crept in, and in the providence of God was continued, by which the Philistines contributed to publish this proof of the helplessness of their god….unto this day—The usage continued in practice at the time when this history was written—probably in the later years of Samuel’s life.”

There is another excellent example in the Old Testament of superstitious beliefs.   In 1 Kings 18, we read about Elijah’s Mount Carmel Victory: “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word” (verse 21).  Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal in verses 22-25 and they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon (verse 26).   As nothing happened, we read in verses 27-29, “And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, ‘Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.’  So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.   And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.”

Again, reading from the Benson Commentary, it observes that: “The worship of idols being a most ridiculous thing, it is perfectly just to represent it so, and expose it to scorn. And nothing can be imagined more cutting and sarcastic than these words of the prophet, in which he ridicules, in the finest manner possible, their wretched, false, and derogatory ideas of the Deity. The two last notions of being asleep and not at home, how absurd soever they may be, when applied to the Deity, were certainly such as several idolaters conceived of their gods, as appears from various passages in Homer…”   These were superstitious, unproven practices that led to the downfall of these pagan priests as we read in verses 30-40.

We read in 1 Samuel 28, starting in verse 7, that King Saul consulted a witch at En Dor.   He should never have done this as God had said, “You shall not permit a sorceress to live” (Exodus 22:18), but he did this out of desperation and the end result was catastrophic as he died in battle the following day.   In Leviticus 19:31 we read: “Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.”   Today, witchcraft and superstition go hand in hand and they are not harmless.

Jeremiah 10:2 states: “Thus says the LORD: ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.’”  Matthew Poole’s Commentary observes: “Learn not the way of the heathen: the Jews being to live among the Chaldeans in their captivity, where many of them were already, the prophet in this sermon admonisheth them against the superstitions of the Chaldean idolatries…..”

In Ezekiel 13:17-19, we read: “ Likewise, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; prophesy against them, and say, ‘Thus says the LORD God: “Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their sleeves and make veils for the heads of people of every height to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of My people, and keep yourselves alive?  And will you profane Me among My people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, killing people who should not die, and keeping people alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies?”’”

Barnes Notes on the Bible has this to say about this passage of Scripture: “Most ancient interpreters and many modern interpreters have understood the ‘pillows’ (or charms) and ‘kerchiefs’ (or veils), as appliances to which the sorcerers had resort in order to attract notice. The veil was a conspicuous ornament in the east – women whatever their ‘stature’ (or height) putting them on – and it was worn by magicians in order to seem more mysterious and awful.”   Sorcerers and magic were condemned by God and were part of the superstitious nature that seemed to attract so many.

In Acts 17 we read of Paul and the philosophers at Athens.   The fact that they were superstitious is indicated in verses 22-23: “Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ Hill and said, ‘Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.  For as I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription: “To the Unknown God”. Whom therefore ye worship in ignorance, Him I declare unto you’” (21st Century King James Version).   It seemed that they were “hedging their bets’ or “to avoid committing oneself; to leave a means of retreat open” (phrases.org.uk). Even those who were supposedly religious, were superstitious in this case.

(To be continued)

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

As members of the Church of God, we trust God because He is the great Creator and the source of all power.   He is the greatest being in the universe and knows all that is going on in our lives and what we need.   Human beings are fallible and make mistakes.   God does not.

Is it compatible to say that a man can trust both in God and man?  Let us start with Psalm 118:8 where we read: “It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man.”

The explanations given by a number of Bible Commentaries on this verse are helpful.   Let us look at a few of these:

Barnes Notes on the Bible states:

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man – This is stated apparently as the result of his own experience. He had found people weak and faithless; he had not so found God. Compare Psalm 40:4; Psalm 62:8-9.  Literally, ‘Good is it to trust in Yahweh more than to confide in man.’ This is the Hebrew form of comparison, and is equivalent to what is stated in our version, ‘It is better’ etc. It is better,

“(1) because man is weak – but God is almighty;

“(2) because man is selfish – but God is benevolent;

“(3) because man is often faithless and deceitful – God [is] never;

“(4) because there are emergencies, as death, in which man cannot aid us, however faithful, kind, and friendly he may be – but there are no circumstances in this life, and none in death, where God cannot assist us; and

“(5) because the ability of man to help us pertains at best only to this present life – the power of God will be commensurate with eternity.”

The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary observes:

“Even the most powerful men are less to be trusted than God.”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible states:

“It is better to trust in the Lord…. This, with what follows in Psalm 118:9, is the conclusion from the above premises and experience; it is good to trust in the Lord; such enjoy peace, are in safety, shall not want any good thing, nor ever be ashamed and confounded: the Targum [explanation of “Targum” below] is:

“‘it is better to trust in the Word of the Lord;’ than to put confidence in man; it is not good to put confidence in man at all [but note the previous comments above and subsequent comments below]; it is trusting to a broken staff, to a mere shadow, which can yield no support or relief: it is best to trust in the Lord; he is able to help, as well as willing; he is faithful to his word, and unchangeable in his promises; whereas man, though he may have a will to help, oftentimes has it not in his power; and when it is in his power, and has promised it, he disappoints, being changeable or unfaithful. Wherefore trust not in man, but in the Lord; yea, cursed is the man that trusts in man; see Jeremiah 17:5.”

Regarding the Targum, Wikipedia states that “The Targum is a term for various Aramaic versions of the Hebrew Bible or parts of it, dating from the post-exilic period. They were used for oral translation and exposition in synagogues, and later became written texts with commentary and interpretation.”

King David knew from personal bitter experience what it was like to be let down by another human being when he wrote in Psalm 41:9: “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.”  In short, the Lord is a “refuge” who is totally dependable and reliable because He is perfect, whereas human beings called by God today must be striving to improve in everything they do and are not yet perfect; thus, they will make mistakes.   The instruction doesn’t say to never trust other human beings, but rather, trusting God is better – and by a very large margin!

Matthew Poole’s Commentary states the following about Psalm 41:9: “‘Mine own familiar friend’; he means either Ahithophel, or some other perfidious counsellor or courtier, who was a type of Judas, to whom therefore it is applied, John 13:18, as David was a type of Christ in being thus betrayed.  So these words were literally fulfilled in David, and yet the Holy [Spirit] which dictated them, looked further in them, even to Christ and Judas, in whom they received a further and fuller accomplishment.”   Even King David had those who let him down with their wrong type of behaviour and didn’t behave like a trusted friend.

King David’s son and successor, Solomon, wrote in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

One commentator wrote: “It is precisely because we know that God will never fail us that we can trust others. Our ultimate security is in Him, so we are free to trust others and experience the joy it brings. Trusting others is almost inseparable from loving others.”

Let us review Micah 7:5: “Do not trust in a friend; Do not put your confidence in a companion; Guard the doors of your mouth From her who lies in your bosom.” 

We read in Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible the following explanation (our emphasis underlined):

“‘Trust ye not in a friend’…. This is not said to lessen the value of friendship; or to discourage the cultivation of it with agreeable persons; or to dissuade from a confidence in a real friend; or in the least to weaken it, and damp the pleasure of true friendship, which is one of the great blessings of life; but to set forth the sad degeneracy of the then present age, that men, who pretended to be friends, were so universally false and faithless, that there was no dependence to be had on them.”

For many today, the same principle can easily apply.

Jeremiah 17:5 reads: “Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD.” 

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers states: “’

“‘Cursed be the man’… The words are vehement and abrupt, but they burst from the prophet’s lips as proclaiming the root evil that had eaten into the life of his people. Their trust in an arm of flesh had led them to Egyptian and Assyrian alliances, and these to departing from the Lord.”  

This passage looks at the emphasis on man’s ability and influence rather than the strength we can have through trusting God.  The emphasis was wrong and it also clearly shows the principle of “whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

There is much to learn from God’s Word about the way that we must conduct ourselves as those who have been called to “the Way” by the Father.   We ourselves are less than perfect, and we will make many mistakes and errors of judgment throughout our lives, however well-intentioned we may be.   We will let others down at times, maybe unknowingly in some circumstances, but as we have not yet achieved perfection, mistakes will be made and trust may figure amongst those problems that will arise in our lives.

It is something well worth remembering that trust goes two ways.   We cannot expect that others will be perfect in this way because we ourselves are not perfect.

When we were called into the true Church of God, we learnt so many things that were previously a mystery to us.   Did we discount all of this information initially because when we didn’t yet fully understand all that we were learning or did we trust God that what He said was totally trustworthy?   For all those now reading and understanding these words, the answer is that we did trust God; otherwise, we wouldn’t still be an active member in His Church.   Of course, it should be much easier to trust God because we see His mighty creation and know that He is supreme over all, but some may still have “reasons” why that might not apply to them. 

Hebrews 11 is known as the “faith” chapter, and in verse 1 we read: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”   This is where our trust in God is shown, and we read about the benefits of such belief in Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

We know that we can trust God because He is perfect but man is not, but that doesn’t mean that we should not trust others as far as we are able and as far as they deserve such trust:

Christianity.com makes these excellent observations:

“If you are like me, there are a great many people you have come to trust in your life. Over the years, they have proven themselves trustworthy. People you can count on in a time of need. A great many others you have learned to never trust. They have let you down time and again — and again and again.

“The list of those who are trustworthy every time is quite likely far shorter than those who have proven unreliable and undependable.

“And it is not a restricted list: parents, siblings, friends, co-workers, bosses, teammates. Those people all make those who do prove trustworthy that much more of a treasure.

“A trusted friend is more precious than pure gold. Rarer too, perhaps. When we find that person, we tend to cling tightly.

“Trusting in people is not a bad thing — in fact, such a friend is to be appreciated and is truly valuable in a time of need.

“When that trusted friend also happens to be your spouse, it is a timeless treasure to be cherished.  Such healthy, trusting relationships can and will bear much fruit in our lives.

“Friends who trust can talk to each other; lean on each other; bear one another’s burdens — and be counted on to keep each other’s secrets.

“But… if we are honest, we also know that friends — human beings — can, and will, let us down. Whether intentionally or unintentionally.   We are all broken beings and all subject to mistakes. We know, too, the damage it can cause — both to the relationship, as well as our lives and the lives of others.”

In our Christian Way of Life, we are given the tools to do what we know is right, but it might not be that easy to ascertain and to act correctly when decisions have to be made. 

For example, we read in Proverbs 26:4-5:

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.”  

We don’t just sit back expecting that God Himself will sort these things out for us, but He will certainly give us the wisdom to make such right decisions.   Likewise, He will also give us the guidance, if we request this from Him, in whether to trust other fallible human beings or not.

We must remember that when immorality defiled the Church in the early days of apostolic Christianity, the apostle Paul wrote, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 5:9-10:

“I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.”   Even in the early Church, there were some considerable problems.

There is a saying that no man is an island, and this was originally written by John Donne and is about the connection between all of humankind and the need for each other.

litcharts.com observes:

“Donne essentially argues that people need each other and are better together than they are in isolation, because every individual is one piece of the greater whole that is humanity itself. The paragraph isn’t actually a poem but a famous excerpt from Donne’s Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions. Written in 1623 when Donne was in the grips of a serious illness, the Devotions examine what it means to be a human being and the relationship between humanity and God.   An island is a piece of land surrounded on all sides by water; it’s entirely cut off from the mainland. In saying that nobody is an island, then, Donne is saying that nobody exists entirely cut off on all sides from the metaphorical mainland of humanity. In other words, nobody is completely isolated and alone.”

On the website biblestudytools.com, we read:

“Trusting people is not a bad idea, in fact, trusting people, certain people is wise and essential. The Bible makes clear from the Book of Genesis that God does not desire for any of us to be alone. God made Eve for Adam, and for each of us God desires companionship in some form.

“When we put trust in people, we can reap the fruits of a healthy relationship. A trusting couple experiences peace and calm in their relationship as a result. When questionable things occur, communication is had and all issues get resolved. Friends who trust will talk, share secrets, and bear one another’s burdens. Children who trust adults are more likely to share and seek support.

“However, people, unlike God, can damage trust, whether accidentally or intentionally. If we are accustomed to running to people every time we need help, and not God, we will find ourselves disappointed. Sometimes people don’t want to hear our problems, sometimes they are unavailable. There are times we put our trust in people only to receive bad advice, be lied to, or for someone to divulge our secrets. Not everyone engages in this, but trusting people can potentially have this result. That’s the risk we take when building a relationship.

“That is not the case with God. He is a trustworthy refuge, a permanent one, a person to run to and a place to reside. Humans cannot offer that for us and that is why we need to keep our focus on God. He is for us what people never can be, and for that, He will always remain trustworthy.”

There are many verses that talk about human relationships and the need for inter-acting with others.  When we trust others, it can lead to healthy relationships and partnerships which is the state of having shared interests or efforts.  But, most critical of all is our relationship with God which is of paramount importance and He is the One whom we can always trust.

God NEVER lets us down and unlike human beings, He doesn’t gossip. He always keeps His word, is totally reliable and is there for us at all times.   On the other hand, human beings live in a world which is under the sway of Satan the devil (compare 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2) which can prove troublesome for true Christians unless we are anchored to the great God.  

Trust, primarily and essentially in God, is vital to our spiritual well-being and trust within our human relationships is necessary for setting the very best example we can, particularly, but not exclusively, within the true Church of God.   We should strive always to be trustworthy and not let others down, and take note of the apostle Paul’s admonition as we read in Ephesians 4:1-2: “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.”

We must always trust God in all things as He knows what is best for all of us, and we can ask Him to give us insight and wisdom about whom we can trust and, in the final analysis, trust God with the outcomes.   And we ourselves must work on being trustworthy to others at all times.

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)