When God set Israel free, he gave them laws. He told them that their freedom was contingent on their obedience to those laws. Meaning, you cannot disobey those laws and remain free, or vice-versa.

The first commandment is to worship only God.

The second is not to make idols.

The third, to not take the name of God in vain.

The fourth, to keep the Sabbath holy.

The fifth, to honor you father and mother.

Sixth, not to murder.

Seventh, not to commit adultery.

Eighth, not to steal.

Ninth, not to lie.

Tenth, not to covet.

Have we kept these laws, individually and as a nation?

We have not. And so we are not free.

You are given a chance, like Israel of old, to change your life so that you are free. If enough of us do so, we can all be free.

Free from what? Free from those who would use and abuse us, and lord over us.

Witness: if we only worship God, we cannot worship them. If we love and serve God, we cannot love and serve them. If we treat each other rightly, we do not need harsh masters to remedy society's problems. We can live free to choose for ourselves.