The Israelites began their story with the Exodus for a number of reasons.

• The Exodus was a formative event in the history of the Israelites. It was the event that marked their liberation from slavery in Egypt and their emergence as a distinct people. The Exodus story is full of symbolism and meaning, and it has been used to shape the identity of the Israelites ever since.
• The Exodus story provides a sense of hope and redemption. It tells the story of how God rescued the Israelites from slavery and led them to a promised land. This story has been a source of hope for the Israelites throughout their history, and it has helped them to persevere through difficult times.
• The Exodus story is a foundation for the law and covenant that God gave to the Israelites. The law and covenant are based on the principles of freedom, justice, and compassion. The Exodus story provides the context for these principles, and it helps to explain why they are so important to the Israelites.
• The Exodus story is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness. It shows how God intervened in history to rescue the Israelites and to fulfill his promises to them. This story has helped the Israelites to trust in God’s faithfulness, even in difficult times.

In addition to these reasons, the Exodus story may have also been chosen as the starting point for the Israelites’ story because it was a time when they were united as a people. Before the Exodus, the Israelites were a group of disparate tribes with different cultures and languages. But the Exodus experience helped to forge them into a single people with a shared identity.

The Exodus story is a complex and multi-layered story that has been interpreted in many different ways. But it is clear that it is a story that is deeply important to the Israelites, and it has played a significant role in shaping their identity and their faith.

Here are some additional thoughts on why the Israelites began their story with the Exodus:

• The Exodus story is a foundational myth for the Israelites. It tells the story of how they came to be a people, and it provides a sense of identity and purpose.
• The Exodus story is a story of liberation. It tells the story of how the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, and it provides a message of hope for people who are oppressed.
• The Exodus story is a story of covenant. It tells the story of how God made a covenant with the Israelites, and it provides a foundation for the laws and customs of the Israelites.
• The Exodus story is a story of redemption. It tells the story of how God rescued the Israelites from their enemies, and it provides a message of hope for people who are facing challenges.

The Exodus story is a powerful and important story that has had a profound impact on the Israelites and on the world. It is a story of liberation, hope, covenant, and redemption. It is a story that continues to inspire and challenge people today.