Yet underlying this order is a compelling insight regarding not the physical stages of the liberation, but the psychological stages, the necessary mental and emotional steps that the children of Israel had to take before true liberation could be achieved. God will have the consciousness of the Israelites raised so that they realize that slavery is unbearable, and can be tolerated no longer. The Hebrew word for burden, sivlot, is close to the word for patience, savlanot. Only when a people run out of patience and begin to feel that the situation is intolerable are they ready for the second stage, which is delivery from actual bondage. Thus, the second stage immediately follows, I will deliver you from their bondage.
Mental freedom is thus a prerequisite for physical freedom.
Witnessing such acts and power done on their behalf can give a people pride, courage, and self-reliance. It also helps the Israelites realize that they are one people, united by these miraculous events. No longer a collection of individual slaves, the children of Israel start to see themselves as an independent yet unified nation. But a nation must have a purpose, a goal, a philosophy that holds the nation together and forms its society and values. The covenant that will now be formed will give this new nation the guidelines, values, and morals it will need.