“I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them; and I will be glorified through Pharaoh, and through his entire host, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord, and so they did” (Exodus 14:4). “I will harden Pharaoh's heart.” Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: This is analogous to two wrestlers, one weak and one strong. The strong one overcame the weak one and received a crown on his head.
Who caused the strong one to receive the crown? Was it not the weak one? So, who caused the Holy One blessed be He to receive praise and glory; was it not Pharaoh, whom He tossed, as it is stated: “He tossed Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea” (Psalms 136:15)? That is why “I will be glorified through Pharaoh.”
“He removed the wheels of their chariot, and caused them to drive with difficulty. Egypt said: ‘Let us flee from before Israel, as the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt’” (Exodus 14:25). “Egypt said: ‘Let us flee from before Israel.’” What did the Holy One blessed be He do?
He indicated to the land of Egypt, and it was elevated. They would see the war at the sea, as it is stated: “Egypt8It does not say the Egyptians. It says “Egypt.” said: ‘Let us flee from before Israel.’”