Christmas: a King like no other

One of the most striking scenes associated with Christmas is that of the Magi coming to Jerusalem asking: 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?'

The answer they got was that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea - the home town of Israel's most famous king - David.

In the Old Testament, God, the LORD, is Israel's king (Deuteronomy 33.5), but foreseeing that they would want a human king, God explained to Moses what such a king of Israel ought to be like. We read God's instructions for his pattern of kingship in Deuteronomy 17.14-20 - it makes interesting reading.

1 He was to be chosen by God (verse 15), not by popular vote, nor by his own will enforced by military strength.

2 He must be a brother Israelite and not a foreigner (like Herod) who may lead Israel after other gods, verse 15.

3 Horses and the chariots they pulled were the great military weapon in the ancient world. In Moses's day, Egypt was famous for them. But the King of Israel must not acquire great numbers of horses and engage in an arms race (verse 16). It would only lead to a worldly self-reliance, rather than reliance on God.

4 The king was not to take many wives (verse 17). Moses predicted, as sadly happened with Solomon, that such polygamy would lead the king's heart astray from God.

5 Neither should the king accumulate personal wealth (verse 17). He cannot serve God and Mammon.

6 The king was to write for himself a copy of God's law, and live by it (verses 18,19). The king was not to be a law unto himself, but the monarchy in Israel was to be a constitutional monarchy under God's covenant.

7 Lastly, he was not to be proud, but humble, and see himself as a servant of the nation, among his brother Israelites (verse 20).

Completely different

When you put all this together it is apparent that the king of the Jews was to be like no other king. Israel's king was to be one who sought nothing for himself and was entirely dependent on God.

In Old Testament times there were enough tyrannical despots ruling the surrounding nations without God's people providing more. Yet they did. It was the recurrent failure of Israel's kings who 'did evil in the eyes of the LORD' which stirred the prophets to long for the coming of the Messiah, God's true King.

Perhaps the oppression of worldly kingship could not be portrayed more clearly than when Rehoboam came to the throne after Solomon died. The people came asking for an easing of their burdens. But the arrogant young king provoked a rebellion by replying: 'My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it heavier' (1 Kings 12.11).

How different was the king born in Bethlehem's stable. 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,' he said. 'Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.' (Matthew 11.28-30).

It was through King Jesus that God would scatter those who are proud in their inmost thoughts, bring down rulers from their thrones, lift up the humble, fill the hungry with good things, and send the rich empty away (Luke 1.51-53).

Jesus took upon himself our burden and atoned for our sins, dying on the cross beneath a Roman titulus which proclaimed him, The King of the Jews. Let us be glad this Christmas that he is our King.

Deuteronomy 17 on who was born at Christmas

5 Neither should the king accumulate personal wealth (verse 17). He cannot serve God and Mammon.

Completely different

JEB

John Benton

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