And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. (Exodus 13:3)
This injunction came with great force at the close of the first day’s journey (see ch. 12:37), when the Hebrews had so signally experienced the good hand of their God. The Egyptians not only permitted them to depart, but also helped speed them on their way. Well might the Israelites feel that they had been released from “the house of bondage.”