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Stay Out of Egypt & Stay in the Word

Aug 14 2026

Shoftim "Judges"


TORAH: Deut. 16:18 - 21:9



In this week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, Moses gives Israel instructions about a future king. And tucked inside those instructions are two commands that still carry a powerful lesson for us today.


In Deuteronomy 17:16, God tells the king that he must not multiply horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire more horses.


Why Egypt?


Egypt represented the place God had already delivered Israel from. It was a place of

bondage, but it was also a place where Israel could be tempted to look for security, strength, and provision apart from trusting in God.


The king of Israel was not supposed to build his security by going back to what God had called His people out of.


But God didn't only tell the king what not to do. He also told him what he should do.

“Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book...”— Deuteronomy 17:18

The king was personally commanded to write out a copy of the Torah and keep it with him.


Then God says:

“And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes.”— Deuteronomy 17:19

Think about that.


The person leading the nation was commanded to stay continually grounded in the Word of God. He wasn't supposed to depend upon his own wisdom, strength, position, or power. He was to remain close to God's Word so that he would continue to fear the Lord and walk in His ways.


There is an important lesson here for us as well.


God has called each of us to different places of influence and responsibility within His Kingdom. And just like Israel's kings, we need to be careful that we don't return to the things God has called us out of or begin looking to the world for the security that should be found in Him.


Instead, we need to stay in the Word.


The more responsibility God gives us, the more important it becomes that His Word remains at the center of our lives.


So wherever God has called you, remember these two simple instructions from Deuteronomy 17:

Stay out of Egypt. Stay in the Word.


Shabbat Shalom.


NEXT PORTION Ki Tetze "When You Go Out"

TORAH: Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

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