The
Book of Deuteronomy
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Preface
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AN adequate exposition of Deuteronomy requires the discussion of
many topics. The author has endeavoured to keep these various claims
in view: at the same time the limits of the volume have dictated
selection and compression. In particular, a chapter on miracle in
the Old Testament has been wholly omitted. That topic cannot be said
to have a peculiar or exclusive relation to Deuteronomy. Yet the
writer would have wished to include in the volume a reasoned
statement of the grounds on which he owns and asserts the
supernatural in Old Testament history; all the more because he
admits critical views which have sometimes been associated, and
still oftener supposed to be associated, with rationalistic views
generally. For the present this discussion is postponed. In some
instances, also, the writer has been obliged to content himself with
statements on critical questions more brief than he could have
desired; but it is hoped that enough has been said to explain the
position assumed and to make clear the main lines of argument.
The task of adjusting the matter to the space would have been easier
if it had seemed legitimate to omit the critical and archaeological
questions on the one hand, or, on the other, to leave untouched the
bearing of the thoughts and Laws of Deuteronomy on the religious
history of the race, and on the dangers and duties of our own age.
But an exposition of Deuteronomy must endeavour to open the
appropriate outlooks in all these directions.
Owing to the author's distance from London the work of passing the
book through the press has necessarily been left wholly to others.
It is hoped that oversights which may have arisen from this cause
will be pardoned.
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