Because I took a substantial break on this project, I reviewed my old work to refresh my memory. I recalled just how torturous it was to get through the first four books. It is terribly hard to read. That's why you haven't read it. Also, it sucks.
Deuteronomy so far is a rehash of what we already know. It begins on the first day of the 11th month of the 40th year of the journey to Canaan, and these be the words of Moses. God is fussy that the group is running in place at Mount Horeb. It is high time the chosen people claimed the land God has set aside for them. Moses names some team leaders - captains over thousands, captains over hundreds, captains over fifties, captains over tens. Twelve men journey ahead of the group to determine the best route. The people still have doubts and fears, and the Lord hears the voice of their words and is very wroth.
Joshua steps up to lead the fight which puts him in very good standing (spoiler alert: he's about to become our next leader). Ye shall not fear them, for the LORD your God he shall fight for you. The journey to Canaan is very violent but it's OK; God has their backs. They are the chosen people, more special than anyone else (I still don't understand why this is so).
Moses recounts how they conquered this land and that king, including Bashon the land of giants. Apparently the giants were bad at slaying normal sized people. That's a shame. They get mowed down like all the rest. The chosen people murder all the men, women and children in their path, then take all the livestock and other spoils for themselves. Those little kids aren't part of the chosen tribe, so tough luck for them. It's God's will, people.
These first three chapters are chock full of gems like this: Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashanhavothjair, unto this day. Makes you want to read the whole book, right?
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