As before, when Israel was in bondage to Egypt, the Lord would show mercy and choose his people. When they were oppressed by Egypt (the first great world power), God formed his people into a theocratic nation. Their sin led to the downfall of this nation. They would get a second beginning, but once again found themselves in bondage to a hostile foreign power, from which only the Lord could deliver them.
1 For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land, and sojourners will join them and will attach themselves to the house of Jacob.