Another interpretation: “In the land of Egypt” – for whose sake did the Holy One blessed be He reveal Himself? It was for His own sake. It is analogous to an apprentice who was seized for the sake of his master47He was taken to ensure that the master would pay a debt. and confined. His master said to him: ‘Have no fear, I will come and take you out.’
He sent his servant to take him out, but the innkeeper [where he was confined] did not want to let him go. He [the master] said: The innkeeper did well, as I said to him that I would take him out, and I did not tell him that I would send my servant. So, the Holy One blessed be He said to Abraham: ‘Your descendants are destined to be enslaved in Egypt, and then I will redeem them,’ as it is stated: “Know that your descendants will be strangers [in a land that is not theirs, and they shall be enslaved to them and they shall oppress them, four hundred years]” (Genesis 15:13), and it is written: “Also that nation, whom they will serve, I will judge” (Genesis 15:14).
The Holy One blessed be He sent Moses to redeem them, but Pharaoh did not want [to let them go]. The Holy One blessed be He said: Pharaoh acted appropriately, as I said to Abraham: “[Also the nation that they will serve] I will judge.” Is Moses “I”? Is Aaron “I”? I said only: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt” (Psalms 81:11).