Ancient Egypt, land of the pharaohs.

Three thousand years ago it was the mightiest empire on the face of the earth. Today we catch only a glimpse of the majesty of ancient Egypt and the glory of its pharaoh. They were rich and powerful beyond imagination. They commanded the greatest army the world had ever known. It was in the time of these mighty pharaohs that the children of Israel were slaves in ancient Egypt, living out their lives in misery and bondage. Not even plagues called down by Moses softened the pharaoh's heart to free Israel from their captivity. What power could deliver them from the mighty hand of Pharaoh? And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron. "Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb. And your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. And the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat the lamb.

And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, or [boiled] at all with water, but roast with fire.

And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand;

and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.