God, as the eternal King, reigns forever, a truth affirmed from the song of Moses and Miriam through numerous Scriptures, highlighting His sovereignty past and future. Jesus Christ, the anointed King from the line of David, is recognized as the King of the Jews and King of Israel, notably during His trial before Pilate, where He openly acknowledged His kingship. Pilate, inspired by God, inscribed a title above the cross in three languages—Hebraic Aramaic, Greek, and Latin—proclaiming Jesus as the King of the Jews, signifying His universal kingship over religion, culture, and law, extending beyond Israel to the world. In the biblical narrative, the image of a king is significant, reflecting power, authority, and the responsibility to dispense protection, justice, and mercy. However, few earthly kings have been righteous. God planned for Israel to have human kings but provided specific instructions to ensure they did not elevate themselves above the people or rule as tyrants. These regulations, outlined in Deuteronomy 17, mandated that a king be guided by God's laws, remain humble, and serve as an example of a servant of God. The king was not a law unto himself but was subject to God's law, required to read and write out the law continually to maintain familiarity with it. King Solomon serves as a cautionary example of failure to adhere to these divine guidelines. Despite inheriting a vast empire from David, Solomon compromised by multiplying horses from Egypt, indicating a lack of faith in God and a warlike spirit. He also multiplied wives, taking 700, including foreign women, which led his heart away from God toward idolatry, breaking multiple commandments. Additionally, he amassed great wealth, oppressing his people with taxes and forced labor, further violating God's instructions against excessive accumulation of gold and silver. These compromises, starting with seemingly minor infractions, led to major sins and set a precedent of disobedience for future kings of Judah and Israel. The lesson for those in training to be kings and priests in God's Kingdom is clear: compromise in small matters weakens character and can lead to apostasy. Faithfulness to God's truth, as exemplified by Christ, the King of kings, is essential. Christ never compromises God's will, always doing the will of His Father. Those aspiring to reign as kings under Him must guard against compromise, maintaining sincerity and truth in all aspects of life to qualify for their future roles in God's Kingdom.

In the pursuit of understanding the role of kingship as it pertains to our spiritual calling, we are reminded of the profound responsibility that awaits us. When we accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and made the Kingdom of God our goal, we embarked on a path to become kings and priests. As Revelation 5:10 declares, we have been made kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign on the earth. This is a real promise of power over the nations, as further emphasized in Revelation 2, where those who overcome are given authority to rule with a rod of iron, symbolizing strength, durability, firmness of will, superior skill, and the potential for overwhelming force. The question arises: how will we wield such power? Will we be tyrants, or will we withhold our authority and allow anarchy? To prepare for this role, God has provided specific instructions, ensuring we are not left without guidance. These principles, rooted in fairness, are found in Deuteronomy 17, titled "Principles Governing Kings," and are as relevant to us now as we prepare for the Kingdom of God as they were to ancient rulers. First, a king must be an Israelite whom God chooses, signifying our calling and election by His grace. This means we are spiritual Israelites, born into the royal family by spiritual heredity, trained to think as God thinks, ensuring compatibility with those we will rule. A leader must be like his followers to be effective, understanding their beliefs, customs, and expectations. Second, a king must not multiply horses, symbolizing war materials and armies. This warns against building military power or seeking worldly alliances, as God is to be our sole source of strength. We must trust in Him for victory and success, not in human might or resources, learning from good kings like Hezekiah and Jehoshaphat who turned to God in times of need. Third, a king must not multiply wives, a caution against foreign entanglements and personal influences that could lead to idolatry. This principle guards our internal, intimate life, urging us to remain loyal to God's truth and avoid compromise with ungodly beliefs or practices, as seen in Solomon's downfall. Fourth, a king must not multiply silver and gold, a command against pursuing wealth as a distraction. Instead, we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6, focusing on eternal spiritual riches rather than fleeting material gain. Fifth, and most crucial, a king must read and write out the law, internalizing God's word on our hearts, as noted in Hebrews 8:10. This law, the foundation of the Kingdom of God, must become part of our very being, enabling us to rule with humility, fairness, and justice. Through diligent study and practice, we become walking, talking embodiments of God's word, imitating our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Word of God. The example of Josiah, a king of Judah, further illustrates these principles. He sought God with all his heart, purged idolatry from the land, restored true worship, enforced God's law, and publicly observed God's feasts to encourage his people. His actions demonstrate ruling with a rod of iron, replacing falsehood with truth, and leading by example. Ultimately, as Matthew 20 reveals, to be a king in the Kingdom of God is to be a servant, looking out for the best interests of our subjects. This quality of servanthood, practiced now in our families and communities, prepares us to be good rulers under Christ. With diligence in following these divine instructions, we will be ready to fulfill our calling as kings and priests in His Kingdom.