How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #4
[A]nd that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I have made fools of the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them—so that you may know that I am the Lord." (NRSV 10:2)
And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the Lord. (KJV 10:2)
God isn't in this business for kicks. He's here to create a strong and lasting image. After all, Exodus is about creating a national memory that will define the people.
Quote #5
"Take your flocks and your herds, as you said, and be gone. And bring a blessing on me too!" (NRSV 12:32)
Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. (KJV 12:32)
This is Pharaoh talking. Yep, Pharaoh. What happened to make him say this? Well, he sure isn't suddenly deciding he's down with God. He basically just saying uncle. He cedes his own reputation under the pressure of God's power. "Bless me also" is just the icing on the cake.
Quote #6
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God thought, "If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of the land of Egypt prepared for battle. (NRSV 13:17-18)
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. (KJV 13:17-18)
What would happen if the Israelites returned to Egypt? God would lose a ton of street cred. God definitely recognizes the limits on his own power; he got them out of Egypt, sure, but the Philistines are a different story.