God’s people were slaves in Egypt. In their oppression they were forced to build great cities for the Kings of Egypt. In anguish they cried out to God. And God acted.

Exodus 2:

23 Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God. 24 God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25 He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.