What is the context?
The Lord contrasts His instruction with the practices of Egypt, where Israel lived, and Canaan, where He is bringing them. The repeated declaration that He is their God grounds the commands that follow. Israel is not to decide what is good merely by copying either surrounding society.
The promise of life through obedience introduces the sexual boundaries in the rest of the chapter. It belongs to a covenant relationship already announced by the Lord; the paragraph does not tell a story of Israel first earning deliverance from Egypt.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Wesley takes the promised life to include more than present well-being, while also distinguishing the law’s demand for complete obedience from salvation through grace. The USCCB notes place the opening within the call for Israel to differ from surrounding nations. These emphases concern the scope of the promise and its covenant setting; neither turns the following commands into optional advice.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Galatians 3:10–14 expressly cites this promise while explaining why righteousness cannot rest on reliance on works of the law. Paul directs attention to Christ redeeming people from the curse and bringing Abraham’s blessing to the nations through faith. Romans 10:5–13 likewise cites Moses before explaining faith in the risen Lord and salvation for all who call on Him.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.