Israel’s Election and Its Implications: Like several of these opening chapters of Deuteronomy, chapter seven displays a careful stylistic structure, a concentric arrangement of several layers. It begins and ends with the destruction of the Canaanites and their idols (vv. 1–6, 20–26). The reason for that destruction lies in Israel’s distinctive identity and relationship to God, succinctly expressed in verse 6 and spelled out in more colorful detail in verses 13–15 and 17–24, with verse 16 summarizing the “outside” themes again. But at the center of the chapter, as the basis for Israel’s elect status and blessings, stands the description of the action and character of Yahweh (vv. 7–10), which is the bedrock on which all the rest stands. The concentric arrangement can be portrayed as follows:…