1. Admonition to keep Yahweh’s commandments (18:1-5)

The Israelites are exhorted to avoid the immoral sexual practices of the Egyptians and the Canaanites. Their motive for living pure lives sexually is their relationship with the Lord their God. The formula “I am the Lord your God” (v.2) is written as a preamble to the laws on holy living, and its use here corresponds with its function at the head of the Decalogue (Ex 20:2). This formula serves to remind the Israelites that their existence as a holy nation rests on Yahweh’s self-revelation as their holy God.