Page 26 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook

Chapters 1-11 focus on the bondage of Israelites in Egypt and God’s judgment on Egypt

When God made a covenant with Abraham, he also spoke to him in a dream about what would happen
to his descendants in Egypt. Scripture records in Genesis 15:14-15, “The Lord said to him, know for
certain that for four hundred years, your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and
that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves;
afterwards they will come out with great possessions. You will however, go to the ancestors in peace
and be buried at a good old age.” This verse summarizes exactly what happens in the first 15 Chapters of
Exodus.

The Israelites had increased in Egypt and had been there for four hundred years. A Pharaoh who did not
know Joseph came and enslaved them. They cried out to the God of their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob who. God remembered his covenant with Abraham and sent Moses to rescue the Israelites
with a message, “let my people go.” Pharaoh would not allow the Israelites to leave Egypt. Thus, God
brought judgment on the nation of Egypt as he promised Abraham. Ten powerful plagues were released
on Egypt as a judgment to the God’s of Egypt as well. Below is a table to show relationship between
God’s judgment plagues and the gods of Egypt.

25