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A new Pharaoh, wishing to destroy the Israelites living in Egypt, oppresses them with forced labor. Pharaoh's daughter finds the male infant of a Levitic family: she calls him " Moses" and adopts him. Moses grows up as an Egyptian, but eventually sympathizes with his suffering brethren. He flees the country because he has slain an Egyptian overseer. He goes to Midian, becomes shepherd to the priest Jethro, and marries the latter's daughter, Zipporah. As he feeds the sheep on Mount Horeb, God appears to him from a thorn-bush which burns without disintegrating. God reveals himself, and orders Moses to go before Pharaoh and to demand the release of his brethren. God overcomes Moses' reluctance by His promises of supreme aid, and appoints his brother Aaron to be his assistant. Moses then returns to Egypt. (See KJV text.)
As Pharaoh not only refuses Moses' request, but oppresses the people still further, Moses complains to God, who thereupon announces to him that He will now display His power and will surely liberate Israel. The genealogy of Moses and his family appears at this point, in order that it may not later interrupt or weaken in any way the story which follows. (See KJV text.)
(Main article: Ten plagues)
God sends nine plagues:
Pharaoh ignores the first plague, which his magicians can imitate; after the second plague, which they can reproduce but not check, he begins to supplicate; after the third plague he allows his magicians to comfort him; from the third on he makes fresh promises after each plague, but recalls them when the danger has passed. (See KJV text.)
The last, decisive blow occurs, the tenth plague: the death of all the first-born males of the Egyptians. After this, Pharaoh dismisses the Israelites. They go first from Rameses to Succoth. Chapter 12 contains supplementary regulations regarding the future observance of Passover. (See KJV text.)
His heart hardened by God, Pharaoh pursues the Israelites with chariots and horsemen. Divinely guarded (by day by a pillar of cloud, and by night by a pillar of fire), the Israelites reach the shores of the Sea of Reeds (often translated as the " Red Sea"). The Israelites pass dry-shod through the waters, which marvelously recede before them while engulfing Pharaoh and his entire army. Moses and his people sing a song of praise to God. (See: Passage of Red Sea) (See KJV text.)
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