1. Protecting the sanctity of the family (1-5)

These laws helped to prevent broken families by forbidding men to pick up and drop wives as they pleased. The law also excused newlywed men from service, to give the family time to take root. Without a strong core family unit, there can be no holy nation.

2. Do not exploit the poor (6-22)

A person who made a loan was not allowed to take the source of a person's livelihood as security for the debt. Business owners should pay their workers' wages on time. Farmers were not to squeeze every last ounce of profit out of their fields but leave leftovers for the poor. The basis of these commands was God's gracious redemption of his people from slavery in Egypt. When people become blessed and successful, it is easy for them to forget their humble beginnings and take advantage of others for selfish gain. But we must live with broad and generous hearts, based on God's mercy toward us.