Thousands camped east of the Jordan, ready to cross it, eradicate a decadent culture and establish their own nation. Their remarkable leader Moses, soon to die, stood and spoke to them. He reminded them of their covenant relation to Yahweh their Lord, of Yahweh’s mighty acts on their behalf, of the practical differences their loyalty to yahweh should make. He implored them to be totally devoted to their Sovereign.

The book of Deuteronomy records these speeches. “The sympathetic reader,” writes J.A. Thompson, “cannot fail to be challenged by the persistent demands throughout the book that he should acknowledge the complete and sole sovereignty of God in his life. Nor can he fail to be touched by the noble concept of God that underlies the whole book.”

J.A. Thompson is senior lecturer in the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, University of Melbourne.