Definition: And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Deuteronomy 24:22. It's a really important passage about fairness and responsibility within a community. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially saying, “You need to learn from your past experiences with Egypt, and you need to take action to ensure that you don’t repeat those same mistakes.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Deuteronomy 24…” : This refers to a specific part of the Old Testament law given to Moses. It's a set of rules and guidelines for how people should behave in their community, especially when they’re in a position of power or influence. “…Thou shalt remember…” : This is a command – something must happen. It’s like saying "You need to be aware." “that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt” : This is the crucial part! Deuteronomy 24:22 describes a situation where people were treated as slaves in ancient Egypt. They weren't free to leave, and they had specific rules about how they should behave – like offering a portion of their labor to the government (the Pharaoh). "...therefore I command thee to do this thing." : This is the core of the verse. Moses is telling you, “Because you were treated unfairly in Egypt, you must take action to ensure it doesn’t happen again.” He's giving you a specific instruction – a responsibility. What does it mean practically? Historically, this passage was about a situation where a group of people (often farmers) were forced to work for the Pharaoh for a long time without any real freedom or compensation. The law was meant to prevent this kind of exploitation from happening again. It’s essentially a reminder that you have a responsibility to protect those who are vulnerable and ensure they aren't treated unfairly. In short, it's about fairness, accountability, and taking action to avoid repeating past mistakes. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Connect this verse to a specific biblical story or theme (like the covenant with Israel)?