Not because of Israel’s Righteousness: The warnings against false assumptions continue. Moses has already demolished any idea of national chauvinism arising from Israel’s election (7:6–10) and also any economic arrogance arising from their future prosperity (8:17f.). In this chapter he targets what is perhaps the most pernicious and perennial distortion of all—moral self-righteousness in the interpretation of military conflict. Together, these three challenges penetrate deeply to the evergreen sources of human pride: the idolatries of racism, materialism, and militarism. The thrust of this chapter, though directed at Israel, goes to the heart of a universal phenomenon in the behavior of human beings, governments, and nations. In its prophetic power to challenge a complacent people, it matc…