“I will extend My hand, and smite Egypt with all My wonders that I will perform in its midst; after that he will let you go” (Exodus 3:20). “I will extend My hand…” I will do what I spoke of to Abraham: “And also that nation which they will serve, I will judge” (Genesis 15:14), in order to punish them with a punishment to fit their crime. Therefore, I will render them obstinate, and after I complete administering their punishment, “he will let you go.”
“I will give this people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, and it will be when you go, you will not go empty-handed” (Exodus 3:21). “I will give this people favor” – what I said to Abraham: “And afterward they will emerge with great wealth” (Genesis 15:14). I am destined to grant you favor in the Egyptian’s eyes, so they will lend to them and they will leave well-stocked. This is so that Abraham our patriarch will have no claim, saying: “They will serve them, and they will afflict them” (Genesis 15:13), He [God] fulfilled for them, but “then they will emerge with great wealth” (Genesis 15:14), He did not fulfill for them. “Every woman shall ask of her neighbor, and of she who lives in her house, silver vessels, and gold vessels, and garments; and you shall place them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and you shall despoil the Egyptians” (Exodus 3:22). “Every woman shall ask of her neighbor…” – this teaches that garments were especially dear to them, as when a person sets out on the road, if he lacks garments, he is embarrassed. “And you shall despoil [venitzaltem] the Egyptians” – they are destined to make Egypt like the depths [metzulot] that have no fish.