But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
Here God signifies that he was restrained for one reason only from entirely blotting out so ungrateful and wicked a nation, namely, since he saw his own sacred name would be exposed to the Gentiles as a laughing-stock. He teaches, therefore, that he spared them, and suspended his rigor for the time, rather through being induced by regard to his own glory than by pity to them.
God chose Israel in Egypt, not for their merit, but for His honor, that He might better their condition and keep His oath to Jacob. He made Himself known to them by His name Jehovah when servitude had nearly robbed them of it, for God's choosing us and His making Himself known to us are the twin foundations of all our blessedness.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 20:5-9
But I wrought for my name's sake,.... In a way of grace and mercy; did well by thorn, did what he promised to do; not for any merits of theirs, but for his own honour, and the glory of his name: that it should not be polluted before the Heathen, among whom they were; be spoken evil of, which is a polluting it; saying, either...