Page 111 - Bible History
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G
THE HARDSHIPS THE ISRAELITES IN EGYPT
nations to the East. Then, too, the Egyptians needed
laborers to work on their temples, canals, and cities.
God permitted these great su erings to a ect His
84 GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE ENTER THE PROMISED LAND
pe i Chosen People because in their day of freedom and
e e
happiness, many of them had fallen into the idolatry and the vices of the Egyptians. The hard lot to which the Pharaos subjected them made them again turn their thoughts to God. The years of their sojourn in Egypt were coming to an end and, according to the promise made by God to Abraham, the time for their return to Chanaan was at hand.
In spite of all they had to undergo, the Jews in Egypt constantly increased in number. Pharao feared that they might now rise up in revolt against him. To
