The ultimate purpose of the wonders and miracles performed for Israel, such as the redemption from exile, is to awaken a profound sense of recognition and understanding. Who exactly is meant to witness these events and acknowledge the redemption is a matter of perspective. The primary approach among commentators is that the nations of the world are the intended audience [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, שד״ל]. However, another perspective suggests that the observers are specifically the poor and needy among the Israelites [אבן עזרא].
The process of this recognition unfolds in a gradual progression. It begins with physical sensory perception—seeing reality firsthand and knowing that the unfolding events are not merely random coincidence. Following this initial awareness, observers take note and apply their minds to the events [אבן עזרא, שד״ל], doing so completely united as one [שד״ל]. This leads to a higher stage of deep intellectual comprehension. Based on logic and reason, this profound understanding occurs only after people truly take the matters to heart [מלבי״ם].
God's role in these events is described through two distinct concepts: making and creating. Because a miracle introduces something entirely new into the world, the concept of creation is naturally used to describe these wonders [רד״ק, שד״ל]. Alternatively, this creation can be understood as a divine decree, meaning God simply commanded the events to occur [אבן עזרא].
A careful distinction between making and creating reveals two different layers of divine providence. The act of making points to God as the guide of the natural world. Making implies altering, repairing, or shaping existing material, much like transforming a barren desert into a habitable settlement. In contrast, creating highlights God's specific, miraculous providence over the Israelites. Creation is the act of bringing something out of nothing—a purely supernatural feat that only He can accomplish.
By combining these concepts, a complete picture emerges. Initially, people will observe the physical changes in the natural world and recognize them as God's doing. Yet, as they reflect more deeply, they will all collectively understand that these events are not just natural shifts, but absolute miracles—a creation from nothing brought forth by the Holy One of Israel [מלבי״ם].