Ray, the Good Society. Moses, having set out the prologue and preamble to the covenant and its broad

guiding principles, now turns to the details, which occupy the greater part of the book of DeVarim from

chapter 12 to chapter 26. But before he begins with the details, he states a proposition that is the most

fundamental one in the book and one that would be echoed endlessly by Israel's prophets.

See, I have set before you this day blessing and curse. Blessing, if you obey the commandments of the

Lord your God that I enjoin upon you this day and a curse, if you do not obey the commandments

of the Lord your God, but turn away from the path that I enjoin upon you this day and follow other

gods whom you have not experienced. If you behave well, in other words,

things will go well, but if you act badly, things will turn out badly. Behaving well means

honouring our covenant with God, being faithful to him, heeding his words, and acting in

accordance with his commands. That was the foundation of the nation. Uniquely, it had God

as its liberator and lawgiver, its sovereign judge and defender. Other nations had their

gods, but none had a covenant with any of them, let alone with the creator of heaven and earth.

And yes, as we saw last week,

there are times when God acts out of Hecet,

performing kindness to us even though we don't deserve it.

But don't depend on that.

There are things Israel must do in order to survive.

Therefore, warned Moses beware of any temptation

to act like the nations around you, adopting their gods or worship or practices.

Their way is not yours.

If you behave like them, you will perish like them, to survive, let alone thrive.

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