Israel Comes to Egypt

These are the names of the sons of Israel (that is, Jacob) who came with him to Egypt with their families:

But the descendants of Israel had many children. They became so numerous and strong that the land was filled with them.

The Israelites Become Slaves

Then a new king, who knew nothing about Joseph, began to rule in Egypt.

He said to his people, “There are too many Israelites, and they are stronger than we are.

But the more the Israelites were oppressed, the more they increased in number and spread out. The Egyptians couldn’t stand them any longer.

So they forced the Israelites to work hard as slaves.

The Israelites Pray to God during Their Suffering

After a long time passed, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites still groaned because they were slaves. So they cried out, and their cries for help went up to Elohim.

Elohim saw the Israelites being oppressed and was concerned about them.

I have heard the cry of the people of Israel. I have seen how the Egyptians are oppressing them.

Now, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you can bring my people Israel out of Egypt.”

But Moses said to Elohim, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?”

Then Moses replied to Elohim, “Suppose I go to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The Elohim of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ What should I tell them?”

Elohim answered Moses, “Ehyeh Who Ehyeh. This is what you must say to the people of Israel: ‘Ehyeh has sent me to you.’”

Again Elohim said to Moses, “This is what you must say to the people of Israel: Yahweh Elohim of your ancestors, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever. This is my title throughout every generation.

“Go, assemble the leaders of Israel. Say to them, ‘Yahweh Elohim of your ancestors, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, appeared to me. He said, “I have paid close attention to you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.

“The leaders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the leaders must go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘Yahweh Elohim of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us travel three days into the desert to offer sacrifices to Yahweh our Elohim.’

I will make the Egyptians kind to the people of Israel so that, when you leave, you will not leave empty-handed.

Then tell Pharaoh, ‘This is what Yahweh says: Israel is my firstborn son.

Then Moses and Aaron went to Egypt and assembled all the leaders of the people of Israel.

and the people believed them. When they heard that Yahweh was concerned about the people of Israel and that he had seen their misery, they knelt, bowing with their faces touching the ground.

Moses and Aaron Confront Pharaoh

Later Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what Yahweh Elohim of Israel says: Let my people go into the desert to celebrate a festival in my honor.”

Pharaoh asked, “Who is Yahweh? Why should I obey him and let Israel go? I don’t know Yahweh, and I won’t let Israel go.”

Pharaoh Increases the Israelites’ Labor

That same day Pharaoh gave these orders to the slave drivers and foremen:

Pharaoh’s slave drivers had placed Israelite foremen in charge of the people. The slave drivers beat the foremen and said, “You didn’t finish all the bricks you were ordered to make yesterday or today. Why didn’t you make as many as you used to?”

Then the Israelite foremen complained to Pharaoh. They asked, “Why are you treating us this way?