Sorry it's been a few days.Let me share a quick preview of one of my favorite books in the Bible - Deuteronomy. First, the name means Second Law. This name comes in part because of Chapter 5's repetition of the Ten Commandments.
Deuteronomy is quite probably the Book of the Law found by Hilkiah the Priest during the reign of Judah's last good king Josiah (for whom we chose Will's middle name). You can find this story in 2 Kings 22, and it's followed in the 23rd chapter by the widesweeping reform Josiah initiated because of that remarkable find.
The Deuteronomic Covenant is written in the form of an Ancient Near East Suzerain Treaty. In this treaty form and in Deuteronomy, a superior king (in our case God) sets the terms of the treaty with his vassal (in our case Israel). In most of these treaties the king informs the vassal what he will provide in exchange for his protection. In Deuteronomy, all God's conditions have already been fulfilled through bringing Israel out of Egyptian bondage.
Keep in mind, Moses is sharing this information with Israel on the Plains of Moab, directly across the Jordan River from the Promised Land. It is his farewell address. Enjoy.
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