Pharaoh's Divided Heart and Israel Going Out With a High Hand

"And the LORD strengthened the heart of Pharaoh" (Exodus 14:8) - because his heart was divided over whether to pursue or not to pursue. "And he pursued after the children of Israel" - this makes known the praise of Israel, for had it been any other nation, Pharaoh would not have pursued after it. "And the children of Israel were going out with a high hand" - Scripture tells that when the Egyptians were pursuing after Israel, they were reviling and blaspheming and cursing, but Israel were glorifying and exalting and praising, and giving song and praise and greatness, glory and splendor to the One whose the wars are, as it is said, "The high praises of God are in their throat" (Psalms 149:6), "Be exalted above the heavens, O God" (Psalms 57:6), and it says, "O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will praise Your name" (Isaiah 25:1). "And the children of Israel were going out with a high hand" - that their hand was high over the Egyptians. "And the Egyptians pursued after them" (Exodus 14:9) - this tells that not one of them stumbled, lest they take it as an omen and turn back; and so we find in every place that the nations practice divination, as it is said, "For these nations that you are dispossessing listen to soothsayers and to diviners" (Deuteronomy 18:14), "And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went with divinations in their hand" (Numbers 22:7), "and Balaam son of Beor, the diviner" (Joshua 13:22).