EXECUTIVE OBLIGATION-III—Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Attention:
Election Day places Government 'Representatives' in office—We are obligated to obligate them to our belief!
Those for whom we vote have a(n) Obligation/Commitment/Responsibility/Duty to their constituency, which sounds noble. Many, if not most, enter office with noble purposes in mind. But are they really prepared? Do they bring freedom to God’s people?
?Do our elected/governing/executive officials surrender to God the welcoming freedom to move thru His Church in our country & the remainder of the world?
Need:
As is the king, so shall the people be.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”—Prov. 29:18
“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.”—Prov. 29:18
Moses gave exhortation regarding the dutiful obligation of Israel’s king for the people’s freedom to serve God.
Executive leadership should & can be dutifully obligated to God’s people.
How should executive leadership obligate itself to God’s people?
8 obligations for executive leadership of God’s people.
This morning we found that Executive leadership is obligated to Freedom from...
1. FRATERNIZATION/(:15)
2. Earthly RELIANCE/DEPENDENCE(:16)
3. A SPIRITUAL MARKETPLACE/Smorgasbord MENTALITY(:17a)
4. COVETOUSNESS(:17b)
5. IGNORANCE(:18)
6—Executive leadership is obligated to Freedom from...
DISTANCE(:19)
Explanation:(:19)
:19—“ “And it shall be with him, & he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God & be careful to observe all the words of this law & these statutes,”
The copy of the law which the king himself penned is to remain “with” him. It is not enough to merely have the copy physically present but rather that it is “read” every day by the king himself.
—Dusty Bibles are not magical talismans!—
Thus the king’s encounter with the revealed word of God is to encompass his entire lifetime. Such an endeavor will gain for the sovereign an understanding of & a sensitivity to God & His Divine intentions. Thereby the king’s “fear” of YHWH would reach its threshold, makes the king less culpable as he will be self-equipped to live righteously before God.
“With”—Me ‘eem—Prep.—1) With—1a) With, 1b) Against, 1c) Toward, 1d) As long as, 1e) Beside, except, 1f) In spite of.
“Read”—arq kaw-raw’—Qal Perfect—1) To call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim—1a) (Qal)—1a1) To call, cry, utter a loud sound, 1a2) To call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God), 1a3) To proclaim, 1a4) To read aloud, read (to oneself), read, 1a5) To summon, invite, call for, call & commission, appoint, call & endow, 1a6) To call, name, give name to, call by. Strong—a primitive root [rather identical with arq[a primitive root: To encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner] through the idea of accosting a person met]; To call out to(i.e. properly--Address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications).
“All”—lk kohl—N. m.—1) All, the whole. Strong—properly--The whole; hence--All, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense).
“Days”(See :20)—Mwy yowm—1) Day, time, year. Strong—from an unused root meaning to be hot; A day(as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative--A space of time defined by an associated term, [often used adverb].
“Life”—yx khah’-ee—Adj.—1) Living, alive. N. m.—2) Relatives; 3) Life(abstract emphatic)—3a) Life, 3b) Sustenance, maintenance. N. f.—4) Living thing, animal—4a) Animal, 4b) Life, 4c) Appetite, 4d) Revival, renewal; 5) Community. Strong—Alive; hence, raw(flesh); fresh(plant, water, year), strong; also(as noun, especially in the feminine singular & masculine plural)--Life(or living thing), whether literally or figuratively.
“Learn”—dml law-mad’—Qal Imperfect—1) To learn, teach, exercise in. Strong—a primitive root; properly--To goad, i.e. by implication--To teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive).
“Fear”—ary yaw-ray’—Qal Infinitive—1) To fear, revere, be afraid. Strong—a primitive root; To fear; morally--To revere;causative--To frighten.
The infinitive—‘fearing’— suggests constancy & continuance.
“Careful to observe”—rmv shaw-mar’—Qal Infinitive—1) To keep, guard, observe, give heed. Strong—a primitive root; properly--To hedge about(as with thorns), i.e. Guard; generally--To protect, attend to, etc..
The infinitive—‘observing’— suggests constancy & continuance.
“Words”—rbd daw-baw'—1) Speech, word, speaking, thing. Strong—A word; by implication--A matter(as spoken of) or thing; adverbially--A cause.
“Law”(See :18)—hrwt tow-raw'—
“Statutes”—qx khok—1) Statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due—1a) Prescribed task, 1b) Prescribed portion, 1c) Action prescribed (for oneself), resolve, 1d) Prescribed due, 1e) Prescribed limit, boundary, 1f) Enactment, decree, ordinance—1f1) Specific decree, 1f2) Law in general, 1g) Enactments, statutes—1g1) Conditions, 1g2) Enactments, 1g3) Decrees, 1g4) Civil enactments prescribed by God. Strong—from 02710; An enactment; hence--An appointment(of time, space, quantity, labor or usage).
Argumentation:
*Josh. 1:8—“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day & night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, & then you will have good success.”
*Josh. 22:5—“But take careful heed to do the commandment & the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, & to serve Him with all your heart & with all your soul.”
*Ps. 19:7-14—“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true & righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey & the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth & the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength & my Redeemer.”
*Rom. 7:7-16, 22-25—“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived & I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, & by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, & the commandment holy & just & good. Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.”.....“For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, & bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
1Tim. 1:8-11—“But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless & insubordinate, for the ungodly & for sinners, for the unholy & profane, for murderers of fathers & murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, & if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.”
Ps. 1:1-3—“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day & night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”
**Jn. 5:31-42—“If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me, & I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. You have sent to John, & he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning & shining lamp, & you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish--the very works that I do--bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; & these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.”
**2Tim. 3:14-17—“But you must continue in the things which you have learned & been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, & that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, & is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
**Js. 4:7-8—“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil & he will flee from you. Draw near to God & He will draw near to you....”
Illustration:
We love to watch for birds as we ride in the car/We’ve seen what we think are bald eagles & ospreys on the power poles across the Apalachicola Bay between Eastpoint & Apalachicola/But without getting closer we cannot be sure/Binoculars gives us Freedom from DISTANCE
We get married because we want to be near our spouses/I always want to be around her not just for conversation but for her conversation, her manner, her loves, etc./Freedom from DISTANCE
Application:
?Executive Leadership obligated itself to Freedom from DISTANCE?
?Executive Leadership obligated itself to your freedom?
7—Executive leadership is obligated to Freedom from...
PRIDE(:20a)
Explanation:(:20a)Arrogance
:20—“ “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, & that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he & his children in the midst of Israel.”
Upon writing & continuously reading the law, the king will preserve opportunity to guard his own “heart” from the potential haughtiness/conceit/pride/arrogance, etc., that such closely centered power, position, & authority can bring. A negative result of a king’s elevation is that he may view himself as being better or more deserving than others. Thus he would treat his people with disdain & meanness. Thru a heartfelt approach to God’s word the king will be kept from such flights of pride.
The king who takes these(:15-19) restraints to heart, is the monarch who allows God to be in control at all times & draws council from God. Thus God’s kingdom is given place in a lost world.
“Heart”(See :17)—bbl lay-bawb’—
“Lifted above”—Mwr roowm—Qal Infinitive—1) To rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted. Strong—a primitive root; To be high actively, to rise or raise(in various applications, literally or figuratively).
“Brethren”—xa awkh—1) Brother—1a) Brother of same parents, 1b) Half-brother(same father), 1c) Relative, kinship, same tribe, 1d) Each to the other(reciprocal relationship), 1e) (fig.)--Of resemblance. Strong—a primitive word; A brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship & metaphorical affinity or resemblance.
“Turn aside from”(See :17—“Turn away”)—rwo soowr—
“Commandment”—hwum mits-vaw'—1) Commandment. Strong—A command, whether human or divine(collectively--The Law).
“Prolong”—Kra aw-rak’—Hiphil(causative) Imperfect—1) To be long, prolong—1b) (Hiphil)—1b1) To prolong (days), 1b2) To make long (tent cords), 1b3) To grow long, continue long. Strong—a primitive root; To be(causative--make) long (literally or figuratively).
“Kingdom”—hklmm mam-law-kaw'—1) Kingdom, dominion, reign, sovereignty. Strong—from Klm; Dominion, i.e. abstractly--The estate(rule) or concretely--The country(realm).
“Children”—Nb ben—1) Son, grandson, child, member of a group. Strong—A son(as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense(of literal & figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc.).
“Midst”(See :15—“Among”)—brq keh'-reb—
“Israel”—larsy Yisra'el—Israel = "God prevails.” Strong—from hrs[To prevail] & la[Strength; as adjective--Mighty; especially--The Almighty (but used also of any deity)];= ‘he will rule as God’; Yisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also(typically) of his posterity.
Argumentation:
**1Tim. 3:2, 6—“A bishop[pastor/overseer] then must be”...“not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.”
Ps. 40:4—“Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.”
**Prov. 16:18, 19—“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
**2Chron. 26:12-16—“The total number of chief officers of the mighty men of valor was two thousand six hundred. And under their authority was an army of three hundred & seven thousand five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. Then Uzziah prepared for them, for the entire army, shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows, & slings to cast stones. And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers & the corners, to shoot arrows & large stones. So his fame spread far & wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong. But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.”
**Js. 4:10—“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, & He will lift you up.”
1Pet. 5:5-7—“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, & be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
**2Cor. 12:3-10—“And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- how he was caught up into Paradise & heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Prideful people will not see their own weaknesses. That’s what keeps them out of heaven.
**1Jn. 2:15-17—“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, & the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, & the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
1Cor. 10:12-14—“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”
**Gal. 6:1-5—“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, & so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, & then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, & not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.”
**Js. 2:1-4—“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, & there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, & you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes & say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” & say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, & become judges with evil thoughts?”
**Mat. 23:1-7—“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes & to His disciples, saying: “The scribes & the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe & do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, & do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, & lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad & enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, & to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’”
**Lk. 14:7-11—“So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; & he who invited you & him come & say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ & then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go & sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, & he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Illustration:
‘Sought after’ people—some are locals—
Clyde Bruner’s Krispy Chic(Savannah, GA) owners—Regularly touted because of their selfless giving—After a devastating hurricane one year, they supplied ice to those in need.
Former FSU coach—Well respected in football circles & among Christians(Bobby Bowden).
A well respected former Franklin county principle & coach—Football field is named after him. Also currently a Deacon at the first Baptist Church of Carrabelle(Mike Clark).
Well-respected hardware & car parts store owner-operators/(George, Ronnie & David Jackson)—Many people helped over the years.
A local restaurant consistently gives selflessly toward funerals, special occasions, etc.—(‘Hog Wild’ owners Ken & Linda LaPaz)—
The pastor of FBC Carrabelle—Faithfully brings the word of God to light day by day—Mentor for Carrabellians(Byron Sherman).
All have done ‘good things’ in their own right! But These all stand in danger of falling victim to PRIDE! I think it can be safely said that they all want to retain Freedom from PRIDE!
Application:
?Executive Leadership obligated itself to Freedom from PRIDE?
?Executive Leadership obligated itself to your freedom?
8—Executive leadership is obligated to Freedom from...
REMOVAL(:20b)
Explanation:(:20b)
:20—“ “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, & that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he & his children in the midst of Israel.”
Thereby, the king will also “prolong” the days of his “kingdom” because God will see to it that a monarchy thrives which is dedicated to Him.
The king’s prioritizing his focus upon YHWH his God, is to be a legacy he ensures will be carried thru the royal progeny. His “children” are to know of & respect their father’s commitment to the YHWH. It is implied that the children are to continue the king’s legacy by personally writing & receiving instruction as had their father the king. They are to be witnesses of & to God for the sake of the entire nation.
Executive Obligation binds them to God’s service, so that God may remove them.
“Prolong”—Kra aw-rak’—Hiphil(causative) Imperfect—1) To be long, prolong—1b) (Hiphil)—1b1) To prolong (days), 1b2) To make long (tent cords), 1b3) To grow long, continue long. Strong—a primitive root; To be(causative--make) long (literally or figuratively).
Argumentation:
**Deut. 4:39-40; 12:28—[Same admonishment applied to the people]“Therefore know this day, & consider it in your heart, that the LORD Himself is God in heaven above & on the earth beneath; there is no other. “You shall therefore keep His statutes & His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you & with your children after you, & that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD your God is giving you for all time.”.....“Observe & obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you & your children after you forever, when you do what is good & right in the sight of the LORD your God.”
**1Sam. 13:11-14—[following Saul’s impatience with Samuel]“And Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, & that you did not come within the days appointed, & that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, & I have not made supplication to the LORD.’ Therefore I felt compelled, & offered a burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, & the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”
**Eph. 6:1-3—“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father & mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you & you may live long on the earth.”
Mat. 13:3-9—“Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; & the birds came & devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; & they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, & because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, & the thorns sprang up & choked them. But others fell on good ground & yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”.....“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, & does not understand it, then the wicked one comes & snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word & immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, & the cares of this world & the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, & he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word & understands it, who indeed bears fruit & produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Illustration:
Our American system of limiting executive privilege & term limits for the U.S. Presidency is intended to lower instances of forced removal(impeachment) due to abuse of the office/Continuing commitment insures Freedom from REMOVAL
Sand gnats-Yellow Flies, Deer Flies, Dog Flies, Mosquitos, etc. are prevalent/They nip at you vehemently but you do not let them win/Work does not cease because of them/We may shift to different times, seasons, or aspects of it, but the work continues regardless!/Why?...because the One who requires the work compels us!/If we cave to the small biters, then we will be removed/Yet if we remain steadfast in the work, we will have victory!/Freedom from REMOVAL
Application:
?Executive Leadership obligated itself to Freedom from REMOVAL?
?Executive Leadership obligated itself to your freedom?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Election Day places Government 'Representatives' in office—We are obligated to obligate them to our belief!
Action:
Executive leadership is obligated to Freedom from...
6. DISTANCE(:19)
7. PRIDE(:20a)Arrogance
8. REMOVAL(:20b)
1. FRATERNIZATION/(:15)
2. Earthly RELIANCE/DEPENDENCE(:16)
3. A SPIRITUAL MARKETPLACE/Smorgasbord MENTALITY(:17a)
4. COVETOUSNESS(:17b)
5. IGNORANCE(:18)
Presented 11/09/2014pm to:
FBCCbelle
206 Storrs Ave(Ave A) SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
