DEUT53 The superiority of Israel's God and His laws are used in Deuteronomy to convince Israel that obedience is the most reasoned response to God's demands. The unprecedented nature of Israel's exodus from Egypt and their survival of the awesome, fiery theophany at Sinai provide proof of this God's astonishing singularity (4:33-35). Further, His ethical nature is preeminent as the "God supreme and Lord supreme... Who shows no favor and takes no bribes, but upholds the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and defends [literally, "loves"] the stranger, providing him with food and clothing" (Deuteronomy 10:17-18; see also Psalm 146:7-9). Not surprisingly, then, the laws that Israel's moral God legislates for Israel are also ethically superior, and their observance will be proof of Israel's wisdom (Deuteronomy 4:5–8). In truth, Israel's laws were unique in the ancient Near East; in biblical law we find no vicarious punishment, no capital punishment for crimes against property, while slaves and bond–servants receive relatively generous treatment. (By Elaine Adler Goodfriend, “Ethical Theory and Practice in the Hebrew Bible)