17:9 And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the {f} judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:(f) Who will sentence as the priests counsel him by the Law of God. read more
RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT (This Continues the subject of) (chap.16:13 to 17:11) This continues the subject of righteous government. The guilt of offering a blemished sacrifice to the Lord must incur severe judgment (vs.1-2) for transgressing God's covenant, as was true in the case of any who worship other gods, whether the sun or moon or the stars which may seem to men on such a high level that worshiping them would be permissible. If a report came of any such abuses, then Israel was to inquire... read more
FURTHER CONDITIONS OF BLESSING THE JUDGE AND THE KING (Deuteronomy 17:0 ) In the preceding chapter, Deuteronomy 16:18 , provision was made for judges and other officers of the civil law. They were to hold court in the gates of the cities, the place of ingress and egress, for the cities were walled. This idea of judges sitting in the gates still lingers in the Orient and gives significance to the Mohammedan terms Ottoman Porte and Sublime Porte. Review the preceding chapter and observe the... read more
True Worship Deuteronomy 17:0 This makes our relation to God very definite. There is to be no intermediate worship. Closeness almost visible closeness is to be the rule and standard of our communion with God. Nothing must stand between. We are permitted to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. There must be no intervening system of priests, or officers of any kind, or angels of any degree: every soul must have right of way to God,... read more
The apostle Paul from the case of the presumptuous man here noticed, takes occasion to draw a very striking inference in his Epistle to the Hebrews, in those who tread underfoot the SON of GOD, and count the blood of the covenant an unholy thing, and are guilty of doing despite to the SPIRIT of grace. When the law is thus spiritualized and explained by the gospel, and the apostle's authority in this instance certainly justifies its being done, it is very sweet and delightful. See Hebrews... read more
Judge. Moses does not specify whether the contending parties, or the judges themselves thought proper to have the matter debated before a higher court. The Rabbins observe, that appeals to the Sanhedrim were only the last resort, and that the sentence of that tribunal was to be complied with under pain of death, ver. 12. (Selden, Syned. iii. 2. 2.) The judge here mentioned, according to them and the generality of commentators, after Josephus, Philo, &c., is no other than the high priest, as... read more
Preside. The high priests who are to succeed each other. (Worthington) read more
8-13 Courts of judgment were to be set up in every city. Though their judgment had not the Divine authority of an oracle, it was the judgment of wise, prudent, experienced men, and had the advantage of a Divine promise. read more
Difficult Questions to be Decided by the Priest v. 8. If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, one beyond the ability of the ordinary judge or officer to decide, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, where the legal enactments concerning a bodily injury, Exodus 21:12 ff. concerning civil cases, and concerning quarrels are not clear enough for the officers before whom the matter is brought, being matters of controversy within thy gates,... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Deuteronomy 17:1-20
13. Justice and the Choice of a King CHAPTERS 16:18-17:20 1. Appointment of judges and their instruction (Deuteronomy 16:18-22 ; Deuteronomy 17:1 ) 2. The higher court at the place He chooses (Deuteronomy 17:8-13 ) 3. The choice and right of the king (Deuteronomy 17:14-20 ) This chapter leads us upon new ground. The obligations of the religious life of Israel were stated in the first part of chapter 16 and now the government of the people in the land is commanded. “Just as in its... read more