The Book of Exodus begins with a listing of the descendants of Jacob who came to Egypt during a time of famine, under the protection of Joseph. Over time, as the Israelites grow in number and strength, a new Pharaoh comes to power who does not remember Joseph or the favors he did for Egypt. Fearing the growing Israelite population, this Pharaoh subjects them to cruel slavery, forcing them to work on construction projects. As the Israelites continue to multiply, Pharaoh devises a more sinister plan. He orders the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill all Hebrew male infants at birth. However, the midwives, fearing God, do not obey the Pharaoh's orders. When questioned, they cleverly explain that Hebrew women give birth before they can arrive. In response to their disobedience, God blesses the midwives. Nevertheless, Pharaoh issues a broader decree, commanding all Egyptians to throw every newborn Hebrew male into the Nile River.

In this backdrop of persecution, a Hebrew woman from the tribe of Levi gives birth to a son. She hides him for three months, but when she can hide him no longer, she places him in a waterproof basket and sets it among the reeds along the Nile. The child's sister watches from a distance. Pharaoh's daughter discovers the basket while bathing in the Nile. Moved with compassion upon hearing the baby's cries, she decides to adopt him. The child's sister approaches and offers to find a Hebrew nurse for the baby. In a twist of fate, the child's own mother is brought to nurse him. Once the child is weaned, he is taken to Pharaoh's daughter and named Moses, meaning "drawn out" because he was drawn out of the water. As Moses grows up, he becomes aware of his Hebrew heritage. One day, witnessing an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, Moses intervenes, killing the Egyptian and burying him in the sand. The next day, he tries to mediate a dispute between two Hebrews, but he is rebuked and his previous act is exposed. Fearing Pharaoh's wrath, Moses flees to Midian. There, he rescues the seven daughters of a priest named Jethro from shepherds at a well. In gratitude, Jethro gives Moses one of his daughters, Zipporah, in marriage. They have a son named Gershom. Meanwhile, back in Egypt, the plight of the Israelites worsens, and they cry out to God for deliverance.

While tending Jethro's flock near Mount Horeb, Moses witnesses an extraordinary sight: a bush that burns without being consumed. Curious, he approaches, and God speaks to him from the flames. God acknowledges the suffering of the Israelites and reveals His plan to deliver them from Egyptian oppression and lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey. He commissions Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. Moses is hesitant, questioning his own adequacy. God reassures him, stating, "I AM WHO I AM," a profound declaration of His eternal, self-existent nature. God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that "I AM" has sent him. The chapter concludes with God outlining the plan and foretelling that, although Pharaoh will initially resist, he will eventually let the Israelites go.