What was the exodus of the Jewish people?

The exodus of the people of Israel refers to an important event in the history of the Old Testament of the Bible. According to the biblical narrative, the Israelites, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, lived as slaves in Egypt for several centuries.

The exodus occurred when Moses, a leader chosen by God, confronted the Pharaoh of Egypt, demanding the release of the Israelites. After Pharaoh's refusal, God sent a series of plagues on Egypt, culminating in the death of Egypt's firstborn. Pharaoh finally allowed the Israelites to leave.

Under the leadership of Moses, the people of Israel left Egypt and began a journey toward the land God had promised Abraham, called Canaan. During the exodus, the Israelites miraculously crossed the parted Red Sea, received God's law at Mount Sinai, and faced challenges in the desert, such as food and water shortages.

The Exodus is considered a pivotal event in the history of the people of Israel, marking their deliverance from slavery and the establishment of a covenant with God. It is commemorated and remembered in the Jewish religious celebration of Passover, which remembers the liberation of the Hebrew people from Egypt.

After leaving Egypt, the Israelites wandered in the desert for about forty years. During this period they faced many challenges and trials. Moses' leadership was fundamental in maintaining the unity and faith of the people during this journey.

During their pilgrimage, the Israelites received divine guidance to build the Tabernacle, a holy place where they would offer sacrifices to God and where the divine presence would dwell among the people. They also received detailed instructions on the worship of God, social organization, and the keeping of laws and commandments.

However, during this time in the desert, the people of Israel faced significant challenges. On several occasions, they demonstrated a lack of faith and rebellion against God and Moses. For example, they worshiped a golden calf as a false god and expressed doubts about God's provision of food and water.

After Moses' death, Joshua became the leader of the people of Israel. He led the people into the land of Canaan and led the conquest of several cities, thus fulfilling God's promise to give them the land as their inheritance.

The exodus and the journey through the desert are considered central events in the history of the people of Israel because they established the identity of the people as a nation chosen by God and reinforced the importance of obedience to divine law. These events have profoundly shaped Jewish faith and culture, influencing the religion and history of the people to this day.

After the exodus, what happened?

After the exodus and the wandering in the desert, the people of Israel reached the land of Canaan, which God had promised to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This region roughly corresponded to the geographical area that today covers Israel, Palestine, and parts of neighboring countries.

However, entering the land was not immediately successful. The Israelites faced the need to conquer the cities and the Canaanite peoples already inhabiting the region. Under the leadership of Joshua, Moses' successor, they fought battles and gradually conquered the land.

After the conquest of Canaan, the land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, each receiving a specific portion as its inheritance. During a period known as "Judges", the leadership of the people was exercised by charismatic judges, who guided them in times of war and in matters of justice.

Later, the Israelites established a unified kingdom, with Saul as the first king, followed by David and Solomon. Under Solomon's reign, the Temple in Jerusalem was built as a central place of worship for God.

However, after Solomon's death, the kingdom split in two: the Kingdom of Israel to the north and the Kingdom of Judah to the south. These two political entities faced periods of conflict, idolatry, and unfaithfulness to God, eventually resulting in the fall of Israel to the Assyrian Empire in 722 BCE and the fall of Judah to the Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE.

After the Babylonian exile, some Israelites returned to the land of Judah and rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem. The later period saw the influence and rule of several successive empires, such as Persian, Greek, and Roman, until the Jewish Diaspora and the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948.

In summary, after the exodus, the Israelites conquered the land of Canaan, established a unified kingdom, split into two kingdoms, faced exiles and periods of foreign rule, and eventually returned to the land, culminating in the establishment of the State of Israel in modern times.