Rabbi Elazar interpreted the verse regarding the redemption from Egypt. Just as the lily, when it is situated among the thorns, it is difficult for its owner to pick it, so was the redemption of Israel difficult before the Holy One blessed be He to perform. That is what is written: “Or has a god sought to come and take for himself a nation from the midst of a nation, [with tribulations, with signs, and with wonders, and with war, and with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with fearsome deeds, like everything that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?]” (Deuteronomy 4:34).
These and those were uncircumcised. These grew long locks of hair and those grew long locks of hair. These wore diverse kinds3Clothes made from the forbidden mixture of wool and linen. and those wore diverse kinds;4In other words, the Israelites acted just as the nations of the world acted. therefore, the attribute of justice would not allow Israel to ever be redeemed. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said: Had it not been that the Holy One blessed be He had bound Himself with an oath, Israel would never have been redeemed.
That is what is written: “Therefore [lakhen], say to the children of Israel, I am the Lord, [and I will take you out…I will rescue you…I will redeem you]” (Exodus 6:6). Lakhen is nothing other than an expression of oath, just as it says: “Therefore [lakhen], I have taken an oath to the house of Eli” (I Samuel 3:14). Rabbi Berekhya said: “With Your arm, You redeemed Your people” (Psalms 77:16) – with force.5God overpowered the attribute of justice in order to redeem Israel.
Rabbi Yudan said: From “to come and take for himself a nation from the midst of a nation” until “with fearsome deeds” are seventy-two letters. Were a person to day to you that there are seventy-five, say to him: Remove the second [usage of the word] “nation [goy],” as it is not included in the tally. Rabbi Avin said: He redeems them with His name, as the name of the Holy One blessed be He is seventy-two letters.