character, they would need to reflect that character in all their relationships. If they allowed greed or lust or idolatry a foothold in their community, Yahweh would need to discipline them, calling them to repentance. Rebellion on their part would activate the other side of the covenant—the stern warning expressed in curses (see Deuteronomy 28). The invitation to covenant with Yahweh was itself a gift, not something they earned by good behavior, but it was not a blank check to fill out how they