By Jeremy Kerfs

The 2 nd book of the Old Testament Exodus begins with Moses freeing the Israelites from Egypt. It tells the story of the wandering in the desert all the way up to the receiving of the ten commandments and the building of the ark of the covenant.

Timeline

Important Characters Moses – A Hebrew slave who is brought up by Egyptians and eventually saves the Hebrews from bondage in Egypt. Ramses – Pharaoh who did not want to let the Hebrews leave, but he allowed Moses to leave after the 10 plagues. Joshua – The man who was in charge after Moses’ death and lead the Hebrews into the Promised Land.

A Summary of

The Beginning Hebrews live in slavery in Egypt. They work on the building projects of the Pharaoh. Pharoah, worried that there are too many Hebrews, has the Hebrew newborns killed. Moses is put in a basket by his mother and drifted down the Nile to avoid being killed. An Egyptian princess finds him and raises Moses as one of her own children. Moses was considered an Egyptian prince; however, he eventually realized his true identity.

Moses Grows Up Moses and Ramses were princes of Egypt and did the bidding of the Pharaoh. Moses did incredible works for Egypt but sympathized with the slaves. Eventually he learned that he was Hebrew and decided to go back to his people. Ramses became Pharaoh, and Moses was exiled.

Freeing from Egypt Moses was instructed by God to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses returned from his pastoral life to persuade the Pharaoh to release his people. The Pharaoh would not release his slaves so God created 10 plagues to force the pharaoh to relinquish the slaves. Finally the pharaoh allowed the slaves to leave but went back on his word and sent his army after Moses and the Hebrews. As the story goes Moses parted the Red Sea allowing the Hebrews to pass but the sea swallowed up the Egyptian soldiers.

In the Desert The people left Egypt very quickly and began wandering in the desert. At Mt. Sinai Moses receives the 10 Commandments, a list of laws for the Hebrews to follow. The Hebrews continued wandering in the desert so that they could learn to trust God.

To the Promise Land Moses died and Joshua became the leader of the Hebrews. Under Joshua the Hebrews finally entered the Promised Land which God had told them about.

The Ten Commandments I. I am the LORD your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me. II. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain. III. Remember to keep holy the LORD'S Day. IV. Honor your father and your mother. V. You shall not kill. VI. You shall not commit adultery. VII. You shall not steal. VIII. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. IX. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. X. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

Famous Quotes I AM THAT I AM. (Exodus 3:13) Let my people go. (Exodus 7:16) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. (Exodus 20:17) Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. (Exodus 33:20)

Exodus The story of Exodus is important because it includes the Ten Commandments which are the basis for many Catholic rules and teachings. It is also important for Jewish people because they find God saving the Hebrews from Egypt as a sign of God’s love and devotion to Jews.

The End.