IBEC Board of Directors member, Dave Kier, writes a daily devotional for his family, employees and others. I am fortunate to know him and to read his daily thoughts. He gave permission to reproduce this one from July 17, 2016.
“Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.” Deuteronomy 17:18 NASB®
I think I will institute a new company policy. Before a new leader starts work, he or she must go to a remote cabin along a lake where there is no internet nor television. Only a simple cell phone, not a smart phone, can be taken along with the Bible and a hand full of pencils and tablets. No computer. They will have two weeks to write out the first five books of the Bible and the four gospels. At the end of two weeks, I will go and meet with them to see what they learned about leadership and try to answer any questions. After all, leadership is rooted in God’s spoken word written for us.
This exercise would reveal many things about a person. I would learn if they are disciplined enough to follow through. I would learn if they are learners or if they are the type that go through the motions. I would determine if they are humble, willing to submit to the authority of God’s word. I would learn if they can submit to my authority. They in turn, would learn more than $200,000 of college education could ever teach. I would have a true leader and they would be a better person. There’s no downside to this policy.
This is what each king assuming the throne in Israel was to do, except they only had the writings of Moses to copy. God knew that when a king had to write with his own hand His law, it would mean more to him. God knew that man can take the easy way out so he was to write it in the presence of a priest who was also to explain the difficult portions. We don’t read which kings followed the policy but we sure know which ones didn’t even try. By the time the kingdom was about to be devoured by Assyria and then Babylon, the written word of the Lord couldn’t even be found, which was why they were in dire straits.
I am not much of a policy wonk but this sounds like a very good one. I guess I would have to set the example wouldn’t I?
“Lord, Your word is powerful, sharper than any two edged sword. Your word contains the pathway to life. Your word is truth! How thankful we are that You graced us with Your spoken word written and preserved for us through the ages. Your blessings never end and we thank You. Amen”
Larry Sharp, Director of Training, IBEC Ventures
larry.sharp@ibecventures.com