I found this lecture from Rabbi Sacks really nice. He builds up into understanding The Rambam in Moreh Nevuhim where it is explained why G-d give people free choice, even though he could simply enlighten them without much fanfare.

The classic Jewish story starts with negative and ends with redemption, happily ever after.

It also touches on the difference between Rav and Shemuel regarding whether the negative part that we start with is Avadim Hayinu – We were slaves or that we should start by saying that our forefathers were idolaters