Another matter, “it was when Pharaoh let the people go” – that is what is written: “He sends His command to earth” (Psalms 147:15). Woe is the wicked, as they are maggots and worms and [will be] eliminated from the world, yet they seek to abrogate the word of the Holy One blessed be He. He said to them: ‘You said: “And I will not let Israel go” (Exodus 5:2), but I said: “Let My people go” (Exodus 5:1) – let us see whose word stands and whose word is void.’
Ultimately, Pharaoh himself arose, went, and fell at the feet of Moses, and said to Israel: “Arise and depart” (Exodus 12:31). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘What then, Pharaoh, did your word stand, or My word?’ That is why it is stated: “He sends His command to earth.” When?
“It was when Pharaoh let the people go.” Did Pharaoh let them go? Bilam said: “God, who took them out of Egypt” (Numbers 24:8), and here it says: “It was when Pharaoh let the people go”? Rather, it teaches that Pharaoh was accompanying them, and saying to them: ‘Pray and beg for mercy for me,’ as it is stated: “Take both your flocks and your herds, as you said, and go; and bless me, too” (Exodus 12:32).
Letting them go [shiluaḥ] stated here means nothing other than accompaniment, as it is stated: “Abraham went with them to see them off [leshalleḥam]” (Genesis 18:16).