The word Exodus means "departure" or going out in a multitude. It comes from the Greek word "Exo-dos" meaning mass movement.

In the Biblical context, it is used to refer to the mass movement or the departure of the children of Israel from Egypt where they had been enslaved back to the land, Canaan that God had promised them through their ancestor, Abraham.

The book of Exodus brings out the story of the birth of Israel as a nation as God had promised Abraham. The central figure in this story is Moses whom God raised from among His chosen people, Israel to set them free from their bondage in Egypt.

God had promised Abraham that he would have many descendants. However, his descendants would be strangers in a foreign land although he also promised to raise someone to deliver and take them back to their land (Genesis 17:6-7).

In the last chapters of the book of Genesis, there is a story of the rise of Joseph, who was one of the sons of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham.

Accordingly, Joseph was later sold by his own brothers to some traders who later sold him to one of the king's officers in Egypt (Genesis 37:28-36). The brothers of Joseph were jealous that their father loved him most.

However, luck was on Joseph while in Egypt. He rose to prominence-as he was made governor and his authority became second to that of the king. This was because he had displayed great wisdom by interpreting the king's dreams about famine hitting the region. Besides, it was his wisdom that made him to be released from prison (Genesis 41 :37-44).

The period of famine was so severe that many people in the region moved to Egypt to buy food from Joseph who had enough stored. The events that followed saw Jacob and his family move to Egypt. Because Joseph was the governor, they were well catered for (Genesis 46: 1 ff and 47: 12).

However, when a new king came in power, the Israelites found themselves in deep troubles for he knew nothing about Joseph who had died way back. As the Israelites became more numerous, the Egyptians felt threatened reasoning that they would join their enemies to fight them and escape. Consequently, the Israelites were forced in hard labour in their building projects and fields in order to crush their spirits (Exodus 1: 8-14).

Nevertheless, the more they were oppressed, the more they became numerous. In response, the king looked for a way of checking the ever growing population by ordering for the killing of all the baby boys at birth through midwives. For fear of God, the midwives disobeyed the king's order.

It was such a difficult period characterized by hopelessness among the Israelites that a man from the Levi tribe was blessed with a son he named Moses (Exodus 2: 1-1 0).

SUMMARY OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED TO THE BIRTH OF MOSES

Moses was born to a father from the Levi tribe while the people of Israel were in Egypt. His' name meant "pulled out of water" as given by the king's daughter who later adopted him. Therefore, Moses grew up among the Egyptians particularly in the king's palace.

The people of Israel were in a foreign land particularly in Egypt

The whole region including Egypt and Canaan had been hit by famine

The people continued to multiply while in Egypt.

The Egyptian king felt threatened by the ever growing number of the Israelites.

The king of Egypt feared that the Israelites may join their enemies in order to fight them and escape.

The Israelites had been subjected to hard labour.

The Egyptians treated foreigners with suspicion and cruelty

The Egyptian king had embarked on a building project.

The Egyptian king had ordered for the killing of the male children at birth by hiring the services of midwives.

However, the midwives feared God and disobeyed the king's order

The Egyptian king had issued a command to all his people to throw male children of the Israelites into the River Nile.

THE CALL OF MOSES

(Exodus 3-4)

God called Moses while in the Midian land at the plain of the holy mountain of Sinai where he had taken refuge after killing an Egyptian slave master. Moses found a priest named Jethro who had seven daughters in the Midian land. He was also a shepherd.

The events that followed saw Moses marry a daughter of Jethro named Zipporah. He also became a shepherd of his father-in-law.

God called Moses while he was taking care of the flock of his father-in-law in the plain of Sinai, the holy mountain.

God's revelation to Moses was an ordinary one. He saw a burning bush but the grass was not being eaten up. This was a strange experience as Moses himself described.

However, this strange experience brought Moses to the understanding that he was in the presence of God who introduced himself as being the God of his ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

God called Moses twice by his name as he moved closer to see the burning bush which was not being consumed. This showed the presence of God.

The voice of God from the middle of the bush commanded Moses not to move any closer. Therefore, he had to stand still.

Besides, God commanded Moses to take off his sandals because he was standing on a holy ground. This showed the holiness of God.

God identified himself to Moses as being the God his ancestors, being Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This showed the historical nature of God.

Moses covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. This showed the unworthiness of Moses before God and his respect for him as well.

God revealed to Moses that he had seen how cruelly his people were being treated in Egypt. This meant he knew everything that was going on thus He is all knowing by nature.

Besides, God told Moses that had heard His people cry out to be rescued from their slave-drivers. This proved God's desire for justice in human relationship.

God told Moses that he knew all about the suffering of his people to which He said He had now come down to liberate and take them to a spacious, rich and fertile land. This showed that God is all knowing by nature.

God revealed to Moses the intention of calling him. He was sending him to the king of Egypt so that he could lead his people out his country. This showed that God was determined to liberate His people from their misery.

However, Moses' first response to God's command was that of an objection. He refused to go back to Egypt to rescue the people of Israel from their oppressors.

Moses reasoned that he was no body to go and face the Egyptian king and take his people out of his country. This was an excuse based on human weaknesses as he took himself to be too inferior before the king.

None the less God assured Moses that he would be with him in the course rescuing the people of Israel from Egypt. This signified the omnipresence of God.

Besides, God told Moses that he would worship Him on the same mountain upon bringing Israel out of Egypt as a proof that it was Him who had sent him.

Despite God's assurance to Moses, he was still hesitant to go back to Egypt as he raised the second objection. He reasoned that the people of Israel would ask for the name of God.

God disclosed His name to Moses as being "I am who I am." However, this name was rather confusing and it probably accounted for Moses' further objection to the task being given.

Besides, God went on to identify himself as the Lord and the God of Israel’s ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He gave reference to the future generations of Israel who would call with that name forever.

God instructed Moses to go to the leaders of Israel and tell them that the God of their ancestors had appeared to him. This showed the historical nature of God.

God further declared His intention of rescuing Israel from the land they were being treated cruelly. He would take them to the rich and fertile land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites and the Jebusites among others.

God went on to assure Moses that His people would listen to what he would say to them. Therefore, He ordered Moses to go with the leaders of Israel to the king of Egypt and tell him that he had revealed himself to them.

Besides, Moses was commanded to request the Egyptian king to allow the people of Israel to leave for the desert where they would offer sacrifice to the Lord.

However, God revealed to Moses that the king of Egypt would not allow the people of Israel leave unless he would be forced to do so.

Never the less, God assured Moses that he would use His power and punish the Egyptians by doing terrible things in their land. This showed the omnipotence of God.

God also assured Moses that He would make the Egyptians to respect him so that his people would not go empty-handed when leaving.

Despite God's continued assurance to Moses, he still doubted Him thus he raised the third objection. He wondered what he would do in case the Israelites would not believe in him and fail to listen to what he would say.

At this point, the Lord gave Moses the power to perform miracles by asking him to throw down the stick he was holding and it turned into a snake. This was to prove to the Israelites that it was God himself who had appeared to him.

In spite of the miraculous power, Moses still pleaded with God to send someone else instead of him justifying it that he was a poor speaker, slow and hesitant.

Moses' continued refusal to take up the responsibility being given to him angered God, who commanded him to go back to Egypt.

God promised that He would help Moses to speak and tell him what to say to His people and to the Egyptian king.

To further convince Moses, God assured Moses that his brother, Aaron would speak to the people on his behalf, for his role would be only to tell him what to say.

Besides, God promised to help both Moses and Aaron to speak and guide them in what to do while in Egypt.

God assured Moses that all those who wanted to have him killed had already died. Therefore, his life was safe from any danger.

Moses was finally convinced and he returned to Jethro's home before he eventually left for Egypt together with his family.