According to biblical tradition the people of Israel were led by Yahweh "out of Egypt's house of bondage." Salvation was liberation from forced labor. Thus, in accord with that same tradition, we recognize that all people are called to be God's people and that this means we are destined to guide our lives in personal freedom and responsibility. So the Decalogue, a manifesto of freedom and justice, is prefaced with the words: "I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of tne house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me."