The idea as idea is older than the idea as history. In
Deuteronomy it appears in its native colours, comes forward with
its aggressive challenge to do battle with the actual. One step
indeed is taken towards investing it with an historical character,
in so far as it is put into the mouth of Moses; but the beginning
thus made keeps within modest limits. Moses only lays down the
law; for its execution he makes no provision as regards his own
time, nor does he demand it for the immediate future. Rather it is
represented as not destined to come into force until the people
shall have concluded the conquest of the country and secured a
settled peace. We have already found reason to surmise that the
reference to "menuha" is intended to defer the date when the Law
shall come into force to the days of David and Solomon (1Kings
viii.16). This is all the more probable inasmuch as there is
required for its fulfilment "the place which Jehovah shall choose,"
by which only the capital of Judah can be meant. Deuteronomy,
therefore, knows nothing of the principle that what ought to be
must actually have been from the beginning.
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