The book of Exodus tells the story of God ’ s people , the Israelites . At the start of the book , they are slaves in Egypt , helpless , poor , and suffering . They call out to God about their pain and misery . God hears their cries and sets in motion the events that will free them from slavery .

Exodus means to exit , to depart . The book reports the Israelites ’ miraculous departure from Egypt . They travel through desert and sea , in hunger and with plenty , through obedience and disobedience toward the promised land God has prepared for them . On their long journey , God proves to them again and again that they are his people , and he loves them .

• WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE •

As slaves , the Israelites live a hard and sometime terrifying life under cruel Egyptian rule . When God uses Moses to free them from slavery , life continues to be tough . In the wilderness , they live in tents , always on the move . They go hungry at times , and thirsty as well . Even under harsh conditions , they slowly learn to trust that God will provide for them .

• THE AUTHOR OF EXODUS • Most people think Moses wrote this book .