As the story begins, we learn that the Israelites - God's chosen people - have been enslaved by the ruler of Egypt. For many years, they labour without reward. But finally, God decides that He will put an end to their oppression. He calls on one man - Moses - to lead His people to freedom. Moses is initially reluctant. He does not consider himself to be a leader of men. But he has faith in God. And at last he obeys the Lord's command. With God's help, Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt, across the Red Sea and into the wilderness. There, they experience hardships and many of them threaten to rebel. But Moses does not give up. And when he receives from God two stone tablets bearing the Ten Commandments, the people realise that Moses has indeed been acting in accordance with God's will.