Fifty scholars committed to the authority of Scripture as divine revelation. 60 volumes of the best critical scholarship. The end result: the Word Biblical Commentary series, which "harvests the important historical, textual, literary and archaeological discoveries to serve the needs of professional scholars and teachers, students of the Bible and of theology, working ministers, and anyone who wants a theological understanding from Scripture."

To that exalted series, you can now add the second half of Duane Christensen's insightful analysis of Deuteronomy, covering Deut 21:10-34:12. Christensen sees Deuteronomy as a "didactic poem, composed to be recited publicly to music in ancient Israel within a liturgical setting," and places it squarely in the center of ancient Israelite worship. Focusing on the literary, theological and social issues of Moses' day, Christensen brings new understanding to the practical implications of the Sinai covenant and the artistic and literary structures of Deuteronomy. His analysis and insight may well restore Deuteronomy to its rightful place in the worship of God's people.

Interpreting Deuteronomy from a conservative perspective, Peter C. Craigie highlights the centrality of the book's theme of a covenant commitment while also taking great care to demonstrate how Deuteronomy is a book with considerable contemporary relevance. He uses resources of recent research in Old Testament studies to effectively bridge the gap of more than three thousand years that separates the modern reader from the events described in Deuteronomy, this clarifying the primary message of the text for the modern reader.

The addresses of Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy declare that the awesome God of creation had become the incomparable God and King of Israel. E. H. Merrill herein describes and explains the "defining moment" in Israel's history, when Moses prepared the new nation for victories and the blessings of a new life in the Promised Land. This contemporary work emphasizes the grace and faithfulness of the great God who embraced the people of Israel by covenant, but it also stresses God's call for his people to devote their hearts and lives in loving loyalty to him. Deuteronomy calls for God's people to model God's kingdom on earth and is thus foundational to the faith.

Thousands camped east of the Jordan. Ready to cross it, eradicate a decadent culture and establish their own nation. Their remarkable leader, Moses, soon to die, stood and spoke to them. He reminded them of their covenant relation to Yahweh their Lord, of Yahweh's mighty acts on their behalf, of the practical differences their loyalty to Yahweh should make. He implored them to be totally devoted to their Sovereign. The book of Deuteronomy records these speeches. Sympathetic readers cannot fail to be challenged by the persistent demands throughout the book that they should acknowledge the complete and sole sovereignty of God. Nor can they fail to be touched by the noble concept of God that underlies the whole book.