1527 BC, Egypt

Jannes did not like what he saw. He was an astrologer, and the chief magician at Pharaoh's court. And what he now saw in the sky disturbed him deeply.

Egypt's current greatness rested on the backs of slaves.

Hebrew slaves.

Pharaoh Amenemhat II's plan some 87 years before had succeeded. King Makamaron was simply not strong enough to enter Egypt.

Governor Zaphenath-Paaneah had died shortly afterwards, instructing his family to remove his body to Canaan after they, as a people, left Egypt. A promise unfilfilled – the Israelites never left Egypt, and if people like Jannes had anything to do with it, they never would.

Some 21 years after Zaphenath-Paaneah's death, Pharaoh Amenemhat had rather unwisely renewed his war with Makamaron. And lost. They borders of Egypt once again closed.

Many Egyptians had feared the growing and strong Israelite population – themselves natives of Canaan – would rise up, join the Canaanites and destroy Egypt. Amenemhat took advantage of that fear, and enslaved the entire Israelite population.

Under Amenemhat II and his son and successor, Senusret II, and his son and successor, the current Pharaoh Senusret III, and his son and current co-ruler Amenemhat III, the toiling Hebrews had built the cities of Pithon, Ramses, Bubastis and Qantir. They had walled various cities. They had helped control the river Nile.

And they had built pyramids. These geometrically and scientifically advanced wonders not only provided plenty of work for the Hebrews, but greatly advanced the Egyptians. They generated power. Literally. And the new pyramid being constructed at Gizxa – perfectly aligned with the stars – would serve as a weapon. An unstoppable, powerful, enormous laser. Egypt's greatest days were before her.

Or so he hoped. For the signs in the heavens foretold terrible destruction and doom – from a new child among the Hebrews.

"Impossible," he said to himself. "Utterly impossible." Or was it? Jannes took a look at the latest population report. He shuddered. At this rate, the Israelites would soon be more than able to overthrow their taskmasters. He needed to warn Pharaoh.

Pharaoh's Palace

"I assume you have good reason for awakening us at this hour?" Pharaoh Senusret III – seated on his throne next to his son, Amenemhat III – asked Jannes.

"I assure you, Great Ones," Jannes flattered, "that it is most urgent. I assume you have read the latest reports from Goshen?"

"Yes, we have," Amenemhat replied, holding it up in his hand. "The Israelite population has reached worrying levels – and they just keep growing!"

"And a new sign in the heavens just made that more worrying," Jannes added ominously. "A new star had appeared in the heavens. An evil star. It foretells the near birth of a male child among the Hebrews, who, if he is raised, will bring Egypt's dominion low, and deliver the Israelites out of slavery. He would exceed most men in virtue and humility. He will obtain a glory that will endure forever."

Senusret and Amenemhat sat in stunned silence at these words. Action needed to be taken – and fast – to prevent this deliverer.

"Well," Senusret, the senior Pharaoh, said at last, "There is only one thing to do. We must kill all newborn Hebrew children."

"How?" his son asked.

Senusret turned to Jannes. "Summon to me the chief midwives – there's two of them, I believe – that birth the Hebrew women."

Understanding began to dawn on Amenemhat. He now began to grasp his father's plan – and he liked it.

The Palace, next morning

Shiphrah and Puah, the two main midwives that birthed the Hebrews, stood nervously in front of the two Pharaohs. Had they done something wrong?

"No doubt," Pharaoh Amenemhat III began, "this sudden and unusual appointment may have caused some anxiety on your part." Neither Shiphrah nor Puah dared say a word.

"Rest assured," Pharaoh Senusret III stated, "you have no reason to fear. You are not here for what you have done, but what we would like you to do."

Shiphrah and Puah both relaxed.

"I will be brief and blunt," Senusret continued. "When you midwife the Hebrew women, and look on the birth stools, if the woman has birthed a son, you will kill him."

The two midwives gasped in shock, before quickly regaining their composure. KILL the newborn baby boys? "And..." Shiphrah could barely form the words, "what about the baby girls?"

"Oh, they can be spared," Senusret replied matter-of-factly. "You see, the Israelite population has grown dangerously high. If they grow too much larger, they will be able to attempt a rebellion. And my chief astrologer informs me that a deliverer is about to be born among them. He must be killed."

"Of course, Great Pharaohs," Puah responded. The two midwives were escorted out, still in a state of shock and fear.