The rescue from Egypt was defined by a series of supernatural events intended to cement deep faith in God and completely rule out any natural or magical explanations. Yet, despite the incredibly short amount of time that had passed since leaving, the people quickly forgot their Savior as they stood at the edge of the sea. Because of this rapid memory lapse, a reminder of the earlier miracles became necessary [אבן עזרא].
These divine interventions occurred in two distinct stages. The first stage unfolded in the territory of Ham, the historical father of the Egyptian nation. Referring to Egypt by this ancestral name serves to diminish and condemn the nation [רד״ק], while also showing that the plagues reached across the entire border of the land [מלבי״ם]. These events were profound actions that directly changed the laws of nature [מלבי״ם]. Performing them in Egypt carried special weight, as the country was considered the global center of magic. The sheer power of these miracles was designed to erase any suspicion that Moses was simply using clever sorcery. The events were so undeniable that even the master magicians of Egypt were forced to admit they could not copy them, recognizing the acts as the direct work of God [אלשיך].
The second stage took place at the Red Sea, characterized by awe-inspiring acts [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Events that completely overturn the natural order earn this intense description because they cause people to stand in deep reverence of God. They drive humanity to thank Him and recognize Him as the absolute Master who alters nature entirely according to His will [רד״ק].
Between these two locations, there is a clear escalation in divine revelation. The initial wonders in Egypt proved that God actively operates within the world and overpowers natural systems. However, the events at the Red Sea went a step further, proving His exclusive, direct personal care and showing that there is no power besides Him [מלבי״ם]. If the people held onto any lingering doubts after the plagues, the splitting of the sea shattered them. During this event, they witnessed the total defeat of Egypt's spiritual guardian. The display of power was so immense that even those who worshipped idols were forced to recognize the absolute greatness of God [אלשיך].