In the middle of Moses’s second speech (which began at 5:1), a fresh heading in 12:1 begins the central section of the book (12:12–26), which elaborates on commandments 2–10. This, then, is the “preached law,” where Moses applies the law he gave forty years earlier. However, this division must not be made too sharply, for all the laws in 12:12–26 are given in response to the principles laid down in 12:1–5. Chapter 12 calls for honoring God exclusively in our worship, which fills out what is meant by the second commandment and its prohibition “no other gods.” The warning in 12:4 (cf. 12:30–31), “You must not worship the Lord your God in [your own] way” (emphasis mine), repeats the concern of Leviticus 18:3, “You must not do as they do.” Canaanite religion included both male and female pros…