In a sea of otherwise random assortment of laws is a somewhat more random mention of Amalek at the end of Deuteronomy 25.
But we know that nothing God does is truly random, right? There’s always a purpose behind why this word, that law, those characters are placed where they are. The Word of God is crafted perfectly; if there are any issues with its construction, that’s on us.
Because of that, it took me a second to figure out what was happening at the end of Deuteronomy 25. One minute we’re talking about cutting off women’s hands for grabbing a man’s private parts to defend her man in a fistfight, and the next, we’re talking about Amalek’s sudden attack—a story referenced in Exodus 17:8-16.
There is zero reason for this Amalekite provocation from Scripture. It just sort of happens.
These verses, however, fill in the gaps. According to Deuteronomy 25:18, this attack was on the rear guard of the Israelite camp, most likely among those guarding the baggage train, along with the sick and those unfit to fight.
Moreover, this verse says that these “stragglers” were “weary.” On top of their previously stated vulnerabilities, their capabilities were also diminished.
This was seen as a personal affront to God and His people, so much so that God demanded they be completely wiped out. Saul refused to do it (1 Samuel 15), but David and Hezekiah ultimately fulfilled God’s command (1 Samuel 30; 2 Samuel 8:11-12; 1 Chronicles 4:42-43).
If this is truly why the Amalekites attacked Israel—because they wanted to attack the vulnerable and wipe out the nation of Israel (Psalm 83:1-12)—then the command to “remember” them at the end of this chapter makes perfect sense.
In short, God is calling to mind the nation of Amalek as an example of what happens when injustice and a lack of compassion for your brethren take hold. What starts as stealing from your brother ends in killing stragglers while they’re “weary” and vulnerable.
Just like the Amalekites…who “did not fear God.”
The image is therefore an exclamation mark at the end of a list of laws, many of which have to do with interpersonal relationships. It’s not random at all, but a stern call to “remember” what happens when justice is distorted within a nation.