1. Just punishment and blessing the future (1-16)

These laws required Israelites to bring their personal disputes to court. The guilty were to be punished, but not to the point of degradation. There were also laws to help them maintain their family lines to bless future generations. A man who would not take responsibility for having children for a dead brother would be shamed and dishonored. Having two different standards of weight, so that one could cheat others by buying low and selling high, made a person detestable to the Lord. God taught his people honesty.

2. Dealing severely with sin (17-19)

The Amalekites were the most merciless adversaries Israel faced, who took advantage of them at their weakest moment. In this way, they were similar to the sinful desires that arise in us and betray us at our weak moments. That's why Jesus taught us to deal with our own sinful desires as strictly as Israel was told to deal with the Amalekites. "If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away" (Mt 5:29). We should not forget how sin has attacked us, but keep our guard up.