1. Preserving people's honor (1-16)

Israel's laws called for corporal punishment for various crimes, but even that was limited to preserve the human dignity of the guilty person. A man whose brother had died was required to honor the dead by carrying on his family. Cheating others with dishonest prices was a serious type of disrespect; God detests it. A stable and holy society can be built if every person's dignity is respected.

2. People with no fear of God (17-19)

Moses commanded Israel to never forget the evil that the Amalekites did to them on their way out of Egypt. When the Amalekites preyed on the innocent, they showed that they had no fear of God. The purpose of this was not to encourage people to hold grudges or take revenge. Rather, remembering how painful it was to be taken advantage of when they were weak, the Israelites could fear God and not take advantage of others.


Application: Father, thank you for teaching us the dignity we have because we are made in your image. Help me to respect others and live with the fear of God.
One Word: Respect others in the fear of God