Deuteronomy 24:18

But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to doe this thing. Deuteronomy 24:18 (KJV)

The verse calls the Israelites to recall their former condition as bondmen in Egypt and to recognize that it was the LORD who rescued them from that bondage. This remembrance is intended to shape their attitudes and actions in the present, reminding them of their own vulnerability, oppression, and dependence on God’s deliverance.

God’s redemption of Israel becomes the foundation for their relationship with Him. By recalling that the LORD intervened to bring them out of slavery, the people are reminded of His faithfulness, power, and compassion. The memory of that deliverance is not merely historical; it is meant to inform how they treat others.

Because they have been redeemed, the people are commanded to “do this thing,” which, in the broader context of Deuteronomy 24:17‑22, means to love and care for the alien, the widow, and the orphan. Those verses set forth regulations that protect vulnerable groups within the community, promoting fairness, justice, and compassion.

The principle remains relevant today. When believers remember how God has delivered them from various forms of bondage or difficulty, that gratitude should shape their attitudes toward those who are marginalized or in need. The call is to extend kindness, justice, love to strangers, widows, orphans, and anyone who lacks protection.

In summary, Deuteronomy 24:18 emphasizes three linked truths: the necessity of remembering Israel’s past slavery, the acknowledgment of God’s redeeming work, and the resulting obligation to act with compassion toward the vulnerable. This timeless instruction urges both the ancient Israelites and modern readers to let the memory of divine deliverance drive concrete acts of justice and love toward those in need.