of their covenant with God. As was customary in ancient treaties, witnesses were summoned to make the arrangement legally binding. Warning the people what would happen if they fell into idolatry, Moses said, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish” (Deu 4:26). Very similar language is found later in these words of Moses: “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose
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