Experience, we know, is a great teacher. In order to learn from experience, however, we must reflect seriously on it and not let it pass carelessly. So God reminds the Israelites: "You lived as strangers in the land of Egypt". God not only reminds them of this harsh reality of their history, but goes on to teach them what they should have learned from that experience, namely, not to be harsh with anyone, especially those who are most vulnerable, such as the stranger, the widow, the child. God then goes on to give the Israelites further instructions for regulating their behaviour towards each other.

In the Pentateuch, God lays down many such rules for the Israelites to follow. We would learn more from these rules if we looked upon them not so much as regulations to be followed but as revelations of the mind and heart of God our Father and consequently as formation in our religious and moral lives. Through the wisdom of Jesus' teaching and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God the Father continually works to form us into a people according to his own heart.