What was an Israelite to do when an escaped slave had gone to the Israelite? The Lord instructed Israel,

“You shall not give back to his master the slave who has escaped from his master to you. He may dwell with you in your midst, in the place which he chooses within one of your gates, where it seems best to him; you shall not oppress him” (Deuteronomy 23.15–16).

All the Israelite had to do was remember that he or his ancestors had been slaves in Egypt, and the Lord helped them escape. Likewise, remembering where we have been, can help us to show compassion to others.