For Whose Merit the Sea Was Split

Another interpretation: I am fulfilling for them the promise I made to their fathers, that for their merit I split the sea, as it is said, "And your seed shall be as the dust of the earth" and so on (Genesis 28:14). Rabbi Yehudah ben Beteira says: I have already fulfilled the promise I made to their fathers, as it is said, "And He made the sea into dry land," and "the children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea" (Exodus 14:21-22). Rabbi Shimon ben Yohai says: The sun and moon already bear witness, as it is said, "Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for a light by day... who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar, the LORD of hosts is His name" (Jeremiah 31:35). Rabbi Banaah says: For the merit of the commandment their father Abraham performed I split the sea for them, as it is said of Abraham, "And he split the wood for the burnt offering" (Genesis 22:3), and here it is said, "And the waters were split" (Exodus 14:21). Shimon the Timnite says: For the merit of circumcision I split the sea for them, as it is said, "If not for My covenant day and night" and so on (Jeremiah 33:25); you said, Go out and see which covenant operates by day and by night - you find none but circumcision. Rabbi [Abtolos] says: They told a parable. To what is the matter like? To one who grew angry with his son and beat him; a guardian came in to plead for him, and he said, Are you asking this of me only on account of my son? I have already been reconciled with him. So too the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses, Why do you cry out to Me? I have already been reconciled with them; speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward.