The sudden end of their oppression showed the Israelites, as a community the character of their God. This character had been revealed to one man, Moses, but was now revealed to his people. The significance of nine preceding plagues had prepared the Israelites for the tenth and final plague, the effect of which was so terrible that the Pharaoh's arrogance was broken. Abraham's descendants had not yet become a nation, but the night of their escape from Egypt was the beginning of the experience which would make them the nation of God's people. The fact of the escape also confirmed Moses as the leader chosen by God for his people.