treasured possession” (v. 5). How are we to make sense of this? If Israel was saved by grace, then why did God make their destiny depend on their works? Could they lose their salvation? One common way to answer this question is to say that although Israel’s ultimate salvation was secure, in order for them to enjoy the fullness of God’s blessing, they needed to keep the covenant. John Mackay writes: “The people have already been freed by divine grace and power. They are not given the law to save themselves,