© David Staume 2007

Deuteronomy is set on the east side of the river Jordan, in view of Canaan. The author of the first five books of the Old Testament is often attributed to Moses in annotated Bibles, but this is not true. Multiple authors and editors are likely. The description of Moses' death (see Verse 34, below) makes two authors necessary at least.

1-3. A retelling of past travels, including the avoidance of war with some tribes, and killing all of the men, women, and children, of other tribes. God decides what tribes get what land. God continues to demonstrate his lust for war and blood.

4-9. God, through Moses, says that He is jealous and merciful. He says He loves those that love Him and keep his commandments, but those who hate Him will be destroyed. God reminds the Israelites that if they follow any another god that He will destroy them. God instructs the Israelites that when they cross the Jordan to the promised land that they are to destroy all the existing inhabitants because they are wicked. Moses reminds the Israelites of all the wicked things that they have done, and how he has suffered for them and had to plead with God not to destroy them. There is no evidence of any genuine love from this God. The only attribute this God values is obedience.

10. God commands the Israelites to 'love me', 'fear me', and 'obey me'. God says he shows no partiality and accepts no bribes, and that he loves the foreigners residing among the Israelites. Why should the Israelites love him? Because if they don't they will be killed. Why should they obey him? Because if they don't they will be killed. Why they should fear him is of course obvious. There are numerous instances where God shows partiality; this assertion is simply not true. What are sacrifices if not bribes?

11-17. God says that people who worship other gods sacrifice humans and that this is detestable. God decrees that prophets and dreamers who promote other gods – even if they are your brother, wife, son, or daughter – are to be stoned to death. If there are people in other towns who entice you to worship other gods then all the people of that town are to be put to death, and the town must be destroyed, both people and livestock. Instructions to cancel debts at seven year intervals, free slaves after seven years, give generously to the poor, lend to many nations but borrow from none, and rule over many nations but be ruled over by none. Anyone showing contempt for a judge or priest is to be put to death. God says that sacrificing humans is detestable, but this occurs – and generally on God's supposed instructions – in nearly every book of the Old Testament, and what is Jesus if not a human sacrifice in the New Testament. Blatant hypocrisy. Debt cancellation, slave release, and generosity to the poor show a glimmer of benevolence through the violence, and passive aggressive behaviour.

18. God says that divination, witchcraft, and mediumship are detestable. He says that the way to know if a certain prophet is speaking on His behalf or not is: if the prophesy comes true, then they were speaking on His behalf. If a prophesy comes true God will step in and take credit for it; if it doesn't he disowns it. Expedient nonsense.

19-20. God says, in relation to judgement 'show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot'. God gives instructions on war. With nations at a distance they are to make an offer of peace, that is – demand that they open their gates and subject themselves to forced labour. If they refuse, kill all of the men and take the women and children as plunder. With nations within the area God has given, however, they are 'not to leave anything that breathes'. And this from the God that describes himself as merciful. Despicable and hypocritical.

21-23. Instructions on purging guilt, marrying women captured in war, penalties for rape, the rights of inheritance, straying livestock, building, planting, ploughing, and toilet habits. No woman is to wear men's clothing, nor man to wear woman's clothing. Decree that stubborn and rebellious sons are to be stoned to death. If a husband accuses his new wife of not being a virgin, and no proof of virginity can be given, the woman is to be stoned to death. Some sensible ordinances, but mostly morally reprehensible decrees.

24-34. Instructions on divorce, paying hired workers, flogging, penalty for kidnapping, accurate weights and measures, tithes, and building altar stones. A woman grabbing a man's private parts during a fight must have her hand cut off. A long list of blessings for obedience; a long list of curses for disobedience, including being covered in boils, your wife being raped, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illness. Moses writes all of God's laws in a book before he dies. Verse 34:6 says 'And he buried him (Moses) in a valley in the land of Moab ... but no man knoweth of his sepulchre (tomb) unto this day'. This could not, of course, be written posthumously by Moses, indicating a second author and a span of time.

Love me, fear me, obey me, is a very effective passive aggressive scare tactic, and one which every clear-thinking person should reject. Nothing in any of God's speeches sounds like anything other than a self-serving delusion.

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