From Abraham to Moses
From Abraham to Jacob
God instructed Abraham to leave his homeland (in the region of modern-day northern Iraq) and settle in the land that is now Israel. Abraham obeyed, and God blessed him with prosperity in the new land. Though elderly, Abraham and his wife Sarah had a son, Isaac, as promised by God. Isaac had twin sons: Esau and Jacob. While Jacob initially did not follow the faith of his father and grandfather, he later came to believe in the Creator God. Jacob had 12 sons through four wives. His 11th son, Joseph, was his favorite.
Joseph in Egypt
Joseph’s brothers, out of jealousy, sold him into slavery. He was taken to Egypt, but his faith in God, integrity, and wisdom led him to rise through the ranks and become the right-hand man of Pharaoh. During a seven-year famine, Joseph managed Egypt’s food supply wisely. When the famine reached Canaan, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt seeking food. Joseph forgave them and invited the whole family, including Jacob and all 12 brothers, to settle in Egypt. Joseph married Pharaoh’s daughter, and their family line grew over the next 400 years.
From Favor to Slavery
As time passed and new Pharaohs came to power, the descendants of Jacob (the Israelites) were enslaved. Fearing their growing population, Pharaoh ordered the killing of all newborn Israelite boys. One of these babies, Moses, was saved by being placed in a basket and sent down the river—a key moment in the story that leads to the Exodus.