Exodus 1-4

The slaves of Israel had been lifting up their pleas for deliverence to God for years. But they never heard back from God. For at least 80 years the rulers of Egypt had oppressed God's people and there was no relief visible upon which the people of Israel could continue to base their faith. But they did not give up. Maybe it was the stories of oppression that Jacob had faced under Laben for 20 years that caused them to hold on to God's promise. Perhaps it was the memory of Joseph's faithfulness that strengthened their faltering faith. Maybe whenever they became down because of their situation someone would mention the promise of a nation for themselves, a place like the Garden of Eden. And the thought of living in paradice sustained their faith. Regardless of why they held on to their faith they did not give up asking for God's deliverance. And one day an old man named Moses showed up sharing the message: "God has heard your cries.  He has seen your misery.  It is time to leave Egypt and claim the inheritence of Abraham." The people bowed in worship of the God who truely sees. 
Stuart