Moses Stayed the Same Man Before and After God Spoke

Another interpretation: He was Moses before God spoke with him, and he was the same Moses after God spoke with him. By the principle of the governing case (binyan av) how so? This is the foundational instance that teaches about everything following it. And when is something called a foundation? Once it stands first. Said Rabbi Isaac: at every single utterance God would call "Moses, Moses," and he would answer "Here I am." This is the governing case for them all, as in "And God called to him from the midst of the bush" (Exodus 3:4), because this was the first instance. Similarly you say (Isaiah 10:12), "And it shall be, when the Lord has finished all His work," why? Because Assyria said (Isaiah 10:13), "By the strength of my hand I have done it." And the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, "Shall the axe boast over the one who hews with it?" (Isaiah 10:15). You are like nothing but this axe: if no one cuts with it, it accomplishes nothing on its own; and like this staff, which, if no one strikes with it, has nothing to boast of. Yet you say "By the strength of my hand I have done it." Therefore (Isaiah 10:16), "The Lord, the Lord of hosts, will send leanness among his fat ones." And all the kings of the idolatrous nations are judged on this account. And if so, why was Assyria singled out? Because it was first. "And He said, Do not draw near here" (see hint 57).