What does it look like to be successful? What images come to mind? You might picture someone who has reached the pinnacle of their profession or who is well respected in the community. Maybe someone with a large and loving family or who has achieved financial security. Our culture often shapes how we envision success.

In today’s reading, Moses outlines the roles of king and prophet for Israel. The role of a king was well defined in the surrounding culture. Kings led their nations in battle, unified their people, and determined religious worship. Moses’ instructions for Israel’s king would have been baffling to his readers. Their king was not supposed to accumulate a lot of wealth and prestige (17:16–17). His most important job would be to uphold God’s Law as revealed by Moses (17:18). The king was called to keep Israel faithful to their covenant with the Lord. He was not to “consider himself better than his fellow Israelites” (17:20). His most important role was to model obedience to the Lord. The nations around Israel also had prophets who would interpret omens and practice divination. In Israel, the prophet’s role was to speak the word of the Lord to the people (18:17–18). They were to be the Lord’s mouthpiece.

Both roles pointed to one who would perfectly embody the rule of God and revelation from God—Jesus, the Messiah. He is the “King of kings” (Rev. 17:14), the ultimate Prophet who revealed to us the Word of the Lord. At the Transfiguration, God commanded the disciples: “Listen to him!” (Matt. 17:5). Jesus models how we are to live—humbly and with self- sacrificial love for others (Phil. 2:5–11). Indeed, He taught us that “whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant” (Matt. 20:26).

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