A Handwritten Copy

 We have so much technology today that people very seldom make handwritten copies of anything. We use copy machines, or we type it out on a computer. It makes the process very impersonal, and it doesn't give us the same connection and understanding of what we are copying. There is just something very meaningful that happens when we write out a letter, or we copy another document ourselves.

That is what God commanded each new king of Israel to do. (Deuteronomy 17:18-19) Even though they had not started having kings when Moses gave these instructions, the Lord told Moses to have the king copy for himself the body of his instructions on a scroll. He was to write it with the Levitical priests watching him. Then, he was to always keep that scroll and read it daily as long as he lived, so that he would learn to fear the Lord by obeying all the terms of the instructions and decrees. That is a profound, life changing practice.

When we only hear something that is spoken, we forget most of it in a very short time. When we hear something, and we see it, too, it sticks with us longer. However, when we actually have to think about how to do something and write something, we remember it a long time. This is like taking notes in school or writing out a manuscript for a speech. God made us that way, so if we want to keep His Word, we need to read it daily, and makes sure we keep all the instructions. It will be even better if we write out important verses, so we will remember them longer.

When my son started high school, his Sunday School teacher, Mike Varnell, gave them a cash reward if they would copy the book of Proverbs by hand. John did that and got the money. Then, when he graduated from High School Mike gave him his handwritten copy back. I can't imagine the wonderful impact that had on my son. I know for myself copying one verse by hand each day, does me so much more good, and I remember them much longer than just reading them. I would encourage all of us to take up this Biblical practice.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy 18-20.