"The People Whose God Is Jehovah"- A REDEEMED PEOPLE

The descendants of Jacob remained in Egypt for a little over two centuries, in a region of the Nile delta named Goshen.  (Genesis 45:9, 10.)  It would seem that during approximately half of that time, they lived in a peaceful coexistence with the Egyptians, dwelling in small towns and pasturing their flocks and herds.  They had been warmly welcomed by Pharaoh, who knew and appreciated Joseph. (Genesis 47:1-6)  As for the  Egyptian people, they had a particular disdain for those who herded sheep. (Genesis 46:31-34)  Nevertheless, they had to tolerate the Israelite's presence.

But the situation of God's people was to change dramatically.  "In time there arose over Egypt a new king, one who did not know Joseph. So he said to his people: 'Look! The people of Israel are more numerous and mightier than we are.' Consequently, the Egyptians forced the Israelites into harsh slavery.  They made their life bitter with hard labor, as they worked with clay mortar and  bricks and in every form of slavery in the field. Yes, they made them toil in  harsh conditions in every form of slavery." - EXODUS 1:8, 9, 13, 14. 

Pharaoh even decreed that all Hebrew male babies should be put to death at their birth. (Exodus 1:15, 16) It was at that time that Moses was born.  When he was three months old, he was hidden by his mother in the reeds of the Nile, where Pharaoh's daughter found him.  She later adopted him.  Providently, during his early years, Moses was brought up by his faithful mother, Jochebed,  and he became a loyal servant of Jehovah. (Exodus 2:1-10; Hebrews 11:23-25)  Jehovah "took notice" of the sufferings of his people and decided to deliver them from their oppressors, under the leadership of Moses. (Exodus 2:24. 25; 3:9, 10)  They would thus become a people "redeemed" by Jehovah.- EXODUS 15:13; DEUTERONOMY 15:15.

Next time: "The People Whose God Is Jehovah" - A PEOPLE BECOME A NATION

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