Some centuries after Joseph's death (perhaps about 1250 BC), his descendants have been enslaved by the Pharaoh.
Moses
- along with his brother Aaron - plead with the Pharaoh to release their people from bondage, but to no avail, as the Pharaoh's heart is set against granting them freedom.
A plague strikes the land, killing all the firstborn children of Egypt. Taking this to be an ill omen, or a sign of trespass against the will of God, Pharaoh asked Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt along with their flocks and their herds. The
Israelis - all six hundred thousand of them - leave the land in great haste (lest the Pharaoh change his mind). These events are described in the second book of the Bible named the
Exodus.
All told, the Israelis dwell in Egypt for a period of four hundred and thirty years. The route that the Israelis take out of Egypt goes through the wilderness of the Red Sea.
The Pharaoh, meanwhile, gathered his army of horsemen and chariots, and decides to give pursuit to the Israelis. The Pharaoh's army catches up with the Israelis as they are encamped by the Red Sea. Moses stretches his hand over the sea - and God makes the sea part by means of a strong easterly wind. The wind blows all night, the waters are divided, and Red Sea turns into dry land. The Israelis enter into the midst of the sea; but the Egyptians pursue them.
Then Moses stretched his hand over the Red Sea once again, and the waters (the tide) returns, drowning the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Chariots, horsemen, and infantry - the Pharaoh's entire fighting force - are swept away into oblivion. God has delivered the Israelis out of their bondage of many years; they believe (with greater fervour) in his power and glory.
Even to this day, the festival of Passover is solemnly observed each year. The festival commemorates God having spared - or passed over - the Hebrew homes when Egypt was struck by the plague. No leavened bread is eaten during Passover; and it is for this reason that the festival is also known as "The festival of unleavened bread".
Of all the early patriarchs, it is Moses - above all - who was responsible for gathering the various Hebrew tribes into a single nation. Having escaped from the Egyptian army, the Israelis wander (almost for an entire generation) in the Sinai desert. There, on Mount Sinai, Moses receives the Ten Commandments written upon tablets of stone:
1. You shall not have other Gods than me.
2. You shall not take the name of your God in vain.
3. You shall keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. You shall honour your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not desire your neighbor's wife
10.You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.