God's message in the book of Deuteronomy has remained such a vital part of Judeo-Christian faith that biblical scholars have sometimes referred to it as "the Gospel of the Old Testament." The good news of a loving, compassionate, flagrantly involved God doing outrageous things to save a frail and faulty humanity is the abiding message communicated by all Scripture.

Deuteronomy is a moving covenant document that reminded Judah of her special relationship with God. While its words are spoken out of Moses' mouth, this book was probably written by a group of Levitical priests and reform-minded prophets. The Deuteronomic message of love and obedience to Yahweh and Yahweh alone came on the heels of a long period of Judaean rebellion and misconduct. During the reigns of Manasseh (687/642 B.C.) a…