Consideration (1–9). Treating people justly would seem to be an easy thing to do, but the sinful human heart can lead us astray with rumors (2 Cor. 13:1), false witnesses, crowds, and money. The fact that a person is rich or poor, a friend or an enemy, must not blind us to the truth. Integrity must not be for sale.
Conservation (10–13). The Sabbath was God’s special gift to Israel to mark the nation as His holy people (Exod. 31:13–17). It was also His gift to man and beast to provide needed rest. The Sabbatical Year showed His concern for the land and the poor. It is unfortunate that people today have forgotten these lessons and are destroying creation by their exploitation of resources.
Celebration (14–19). God wants His people to celebrate and rejoice in His goodness. If our celebration ignores the Lord, we are guilty of idolatry. (See 1 Tim. 6:17.)
Consecration (20–33). The nation would be entering enemy territory and would be tempted to compromise with the wicked people of the land. They must not even speak about the false gods (v. 13) lest they would be led to bow down and serve those gods (v. 24) and make covenants with them (v. 32). Do not talk yourself into disobeying God!
