The narrative follows the biblical story of the Israelites, focusing on their journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom, led by Moses. It begins with the background of Jacob, who is renamed Israel by God, and his descendants, the Children of Israel, who settle in Egypt. Initially, they live peacefully, but a new Pharaoh enslaves them, fearing their growing numbers. Pharaoh orders the death of all newborn Hebrew boys, but Moses is saved by his mother, Jochebed, who places him in a basket on the Nile. Pharaoh's daughter discovers Moses and raises him as her own, with his biological mother as his nurse. Moses grows up in Pharaoh's palace but eventually becomes aware of his Hebrew heritage. Witnessing the suffering of his people, he kills an Egyptian taskmaster and flees to Midian. There, he encounters God in the form of a burning bush, who commands him to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites to freedom. Moses, with his brother Aaron, confronts Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. Pharaoh refuses, leading to a series of plagues that devastate Egypt. Finally, after the death of the firstborn Egyptians, Pharaoh relents, and the Israelites begin their exodus. They cross the Red Sea, miraculously parted by God, and journey towards the Promised Land. Despite hardships and moments of doubt, Moses leads them, guided by divine intervention, towards their ancestral home.
By Catharine Shaw · First published 1891 · Genre: Religious Fiction, Historical Fiction, Children's Literature