truths. As we have seen, the Old Testament holds out the promise of “life”—in the sense we have defined it—for those who do the law. But the Pentateuch itself, when seen as a whole, takes a decidedly pessimistic viewpoint on the ability of Israel to fulfill its covenant obligations.36 In his concluding words to Moses, God predicts that the people of Israel “will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant” (Deut. 31:20). It is this rebellion that the prophets observe,