What is the historical significance of the mention of the sword of the Lord?

The sword of the Lord appears at several points in the Scriptures. Among the most important is its appearance in the final words of Moses at the covenant renewal ceremony with Israel in the plains of Moab. Through Moses the Lord said, For I lift up my hand to heaven and swear, As I live forever, if I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and will repay those who hate me. I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh—with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the long-haired heads of the enemy (Deuteronomy 32:40–42). The Lord binds himself by covenant to use his sword to slay all the wicked. If the avenging sword of the covenant reaches down to Cush, Israel's southernmost enemy, can Judah expect to escape?... Should they not now be awakened to see the potential threat against them in that awesome sword of the Lord stretched against the Cushites?¹