Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: Moses gave us in writing two portions in the Torah and we learn them from the portion of wicked Pharaoh. One verse says: “You will be only [rak] above” (Deuteronomy 28:13). Does it, perhaps, [mean you will be] on a par with Me? The verse states “only [rak],” an expression of restriction; My greatness is superior to your greatness.
We learn this from wicked Pharaoh, as it is stated: “You shall be over my palace” (Genesis 41:40). Does it, perhaps, [mean you will be] on a par with me? The verse states: “Only [rak] my throne will be greater than you” (Genesis 41:40); my greatness is superior to your greatness. And this, “you shall be holy”; does it, perhaps, [mean you will be] on a par with Me?
The verse states: “For I am holy.” My sanctity is above your sanctity. We additionally learn from wicked Pharaoh [the following], as it is stated: “Pharaoh said to Joseph: I am Pharaoh, [and without you, no man shall lift his hand or his foot in the entire land of Egypt]” (Genesis 41:44). Is it, perhaps, on a par with me?
The verse states: “I am Pharaoh”; my greatness is superior to your greatness. Rabbi Yehoshua said in the name of Rabbi Levi: From the “I” of flesh and blood you can learn regarding the “I” of the Holy One blessed be He. Just as regarding the “I” of flesh and blood, by means of Pharaoh saying to Joseph: “I am Pharaoh,” Joseph merited all that glory, when the “I” of the Holy One blessed be He will come: “Until old age I am He” (Isaiah 46:4), and it is written: “So said the Lord, King of Israel and its Redeemer, [the Lord of hosts]: I am first and I am last and besides Me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6), all the more so.