Throughout history, a profound and empathetic relationship exists between God and the Israelites. Human pain echoes in the heavens, ultimately bringing about redemption and deep spiritual elevation.
When the Israelites endure suffering, there are different ways to understand God's involvement in their distress. On one hand, God restrains the hardship, ensuring they do not suffer the full punishment they might truly deserve [רש״י]. He also limits the duration of their pain, rushing to bring them salvation [רד״ק]. From a hidden perspective, God orchestrates their rescue so discreetly that, outwardly to the angels, it appears they are not in distress at all, even while the Divine Presence intimately shares in their sorrow [אהבת יהונתן].
The primary approach among commentators, however, emphasizes a profound shared experience: whenever the people suffer in exile, God suffers right alongside them. He is a full partner in their pain, much like a father who feels his child's agony as if it were his own [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ, שד״ל]. While this is expressed in human terms to make it comprehensible, it reveals a deep truth: because God actively participates in their sorrow, He hastens to deliver them [אבן עזרא, רד״ק].
The method of this deliverance evolves over time. Initially, salvation arrives through a dedicated messenger, such as the angel Michael, who constantly serves before God to protect the people [רש״י, מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא]. This angelic intervention can also be understood as Divine providence operating quietly behind the scenes, utilizing hidden miracles disguised within the laws of nature or through various events that God orchestrates in the world [מלבי״ם, רד״ק].
Ultimately, however, it is neither a messenger nor an angel that secures their final redemption, but God Himself [שד״ל]. This shift highlights a fundamental difference between historical rescues and the ultimate salvation. Redemptions carried out by messengers were temporary, eventually leading to further periods of subjugation. In contrast, the complete, future redemption is executed directly by God through open miracles, ensuring that no further oppression will ever follow [חומת אנך, מלבי״ם]. This direct redemption is driven by two distinct motivations: love and compassion. God's love is directed toward the positive virtues of the people, while His compassion is awakened by their vulnerability and broken hearts [מלבי״ם]. When God personally returns to redeem His people out of these dual motivations, the resulting joy is absolute and unparalleled [צאינה וראינה].
Following their redemption, God continues to support the people in two distinct ways. While some view His actions simply as general expressions of raising the people up [רד״ק, שד״ל], many commentators point out a precise distinction. First, God bears their burden. Driven by compassion, He carries their weight, provides for all their needs, and pulls them out from the depths of their distress [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ, אבן עזרא]. Second, driven by His love, He elevates them toward honor, importance, and a high spiritual standing [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This dual embrace of physical support and spiritual elevation has accompanied the Israelites throughout all generations.