“And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing today.”
Context:Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and is part of the Pentateuch, also known as the Torah. It contains the final instructions of Moses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 15, God gives instructions concerning the release of debts and the treatment of slaves.
Remembering Slavery in Egypt:The verse begins with a command to remember the bondage the Israelites experienced in Egypt. The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for several generations before God delivered them through miraculous signs and wonders. This command to remember serves as a reminder of their humble beginnings and the compassion of God in redeeming them from slavery.
The Lord Your God Redeemed You:The verse emphasizes that it was the Lord who redeemed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. God, through His mighty acts, brought them out of oppression and into freedom. The word “redeemed” in this context means to rescue, deliver, or set free from bondage. It was an act of God’s grace and power that the Israelites were brought out of Egypt.
Implications of Redemption:The verse not only reminds the Israelites of their past deliverance but also carries implications for their present and future actions. By remembering their past, they are to be motivated to extend kindness and generosity to others. The redemption they experienced should shape their character and behaviour, prompting them to treat others with compassion, justice, and mercy.
The Command Given:The verse ends with the statement that God is commanding them “this thing” on that day. The specific command being referred to is not mentioned in this verse, but it is in the broader context of Deuteronomy 15. In the surrounding verses, God instructs the Israelites to release their Hebrew slaves after six years of service and to provide them with generous provisions to start anew.
Application for Believers Today:While this verse was originally addressed to the Israelites, there are valuable lessons that believers today can draw from it. First, we should remember our past and how God has redeemed us from our own spiritual bondage. This should cultivate gratitude, humility, and a desire to extend grace to others. Second, we should seek to treat others with kindness, compassion, and fairness, just as God has treated us. Our actions should reflect the character of the God who redeemed us.
