The Enemy Said and the Torah Is Not in Strict Order

"The enemy said" (Exodus 15:9). This was the beginning of the passage, and why was it written here? To teach you that there is no strict earlier and later in the Torah. Similarly, "And it came to pass on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron and his sons" (Leviticus 9:1) was the beginning of the passage; why was it written here? Because there is no strict earlier and later in the Torah. Similarly, "In the year that King Uzziah died" (Isaiah 6:1) is the beginning of the passage; why is it written here? Because there is no strict earlier and later. Similarly, "Son of man, stand upon your feet," and some say, "Son of man, put forth a riddle" (Ezekiel 17:2), this was the beginning of the passage. Similarly, "Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem" (Jeremiah 2:2), this was the beginning. Similarly, "I, Koheleth, was king" (Ecclesiastes 1:12), this was the beginning. "The enemy said": this is Pharaoh. And from where did Israel know what Pharaoh had thought concerning them in Egypt? Rather, the Holy Spirit rested upon Israel, and they knew what Pharaoh had thought concerning them in Egypt. When Pharaoh saw that Israel had gone out, he said, It would be enough for us to go and pursue Israel only for the sake of the silver and gold they took from us; that alone is worth it. When part of the people saw that they had lost a little money, they said, We were better off before; let us pursue Israel. When Pharaoh saw this, he said, We are all equal in the plunder, as it is said, "I will divide the spoil." And not only that, but I will open to you storehouses of silver and gold, and distribute to you precious stones and pearls.