At the start of the story, people are leaving the land that had belonged to their families for many generations. They had seen everything from birth to death and had fought for their crops. The Israelites had come to Egypt many years before and became established there. Eventually, a new Pharaoh came into power and disliked that they were growing so quickly in number, so the Israelites became the Egyptian's slaves on their own land.

But their descendants had many children and grandchildren. In fact, they multiplied so quickly that they soon filled the land... So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves and put brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down under heavy burdens... (Ex. 1:7,11)

Similarly, the Joads had become slaves to the bank due to their poverty. The dust robbed them of good harvests and they were forced to take out loan after loan until the bank owned "their" land. When the bank decided that

In some ways, Tom Joad can be likened to Moses. Each has been forced to leave his home and family because of murder and returned to lead their people to the Promised Land.

The final comparison to Jim Casy is Jesus Christ. They not only share many qualities, but also the initials J.C. In a way, Casy is a Christ figure to the Joad family. All the troubles he leads them through symbolize sin and Christ guiding us through it.

..."What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? He is a good speaker. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. And when he sees you, he will be very glad. You will talk to him, giving him the words to say. I will help both of you to speak clearly, and I will tell you what to do. Aaron will be your spokesman to the people, and you will be as God to him, telling him what to say." (Ex. 4:14-16)

Both murders were done in defense. In Moses' case, it was for someone else.

The Israelites were excited but reluctant about moving. They were glad to be leaving slavery, but sad to be leaving their homeland and unsure of what lay ahead. When times were hard, they would often whine about how they would have rather stayed in Egypt as slaves, rather than die out in the wilderness from starvation. Both had to trust in God to lead them, and both had their share of doubts and trials. "But I have promised that you will inherit their land, a land flowing with milk and honey. I, the LORD, am your God, who has set you apart from all other people" (Lev. 20:24).

Casy acts as a leader who directs the Joads out of famine and hard times and into California where they can begin a new life. Likewise, God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery and into Canaan.

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Approximate Word count = 1667
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)