Exodus 15:1-21 The Other Side
On the other side of the Red Sea Israel rejoices! They recognize what the Lord has done for them and they sing His praise.
In my life, songs are a BIG part of how I deal with difficult situations. They are also how I express my happiness. Music lifts me from the pits of despair and brings me into the presence of God. I LOVE MUSIC!
I had a time when I was so defeated that the music was silent in my heart. During this time I had no desire to even remain in this life. I longed for death. But God held me in His hands and slowly restored my soul. When music once again rose above the despair I felt, that despair finally lifted. The Holy Spirit breathed life back into me with music. Even today, when I’m having a bad day, a song is all it takes to turn me around. I PRAISE GOD FOR MUSIC!!!
Israel is enjoying a “praise and worship” festival. They are singing praises to God for the WONDERS He has just accomplished. A wonder so great that they can’t help but praise Him!
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Every Israelite is safe and dry on the other side of the Red Sea. Every Egyptian follower lies either on the bottom of the sea or dead on its shores. What the Lord has just completed is the GREATEST miracle ever known. The people can’t help but dance and sing!
Moses’ smile is a mile wide. His whole heart is singing along with the people. Some are bowing down, some stand with hands raised, and some are dancing with tambourines. There is not a discouraged or down trodden face among the whole multitude!
The people are singing about more than the Lord’s latest miracle. They are singing about their new faith in Him. The God of their fathers is now the Lord of their lives. “The Lord is MY strength and MY song, and He has become MY salvation; this is MY God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him” (verse 2, emphasis added by me).
They are singing about the strength of the Lord and what this miracle means beyond today. They recognize that their journey is just beginning. They have many other nations they still have to face. But the fame of this feat of the Lord will be spread far and wide. “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? … You have led in Your steadfast love the people whom You have redeemed; you have guided them by Your strength to Your holy abode. The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia. Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of Your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O Lord pass by, till the people pass by whom You have purchased. You will bring them in and plant them on Your own mountain, the place, O Lord, which You have made for Your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established. The Lord will reign forever and ever” (verses 11, 13-18).
Moses can think of no higher praise than what he has been listening to coming from the people’s lips and hearts. They are committing themselves to the Lord’s plan. NOW they want to go where He is taking them. They are not crying to go back to Egypt. They are looking to their future; their God given future with Him.
Of course there are those singing about the big event that just happened. Who wouldn’t acknowledge that this was the Lord’s work? NO other god could do what He just did!
This spontaneous praise and worship festival goes on well into the mid-morning. When the people are finally spent and the praise dies down, there is still evidence on every face of the joy bubbling inside. Smiles and kind words abound. Everyone is pumped for the next phase of their journey. They will follow Moses wherever he leads because he is OBVIOUSLY the Lord’s man!
Moses calls for the people to eat a hearty meal for they will set out again once they are refueled. There is still much ground to cover before they come to their new home. And it is MUCH easier to get a motivated group moving than it is one who is grumbling and resistant. Moses plans to take advantage of the people’s mood this day.
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Father God, there is NO god like You! I cannot imagine a greater visual miracle for the people to hold onto. Jesus rising from the dead and the work He accomplished puts this one to shame, but this group wouldn’t live to see that day. I would have loved to witness either one of them up close and in person. But then again I would have to live in those days to have seen it firsthand and I REALLY like being on this side of the promise. I also REALLY appreciate my modern conveniences. I will have to settle for the “movie” when I finally see You face to face. Will You let me take time and examine the fish in the sea and watch the waves crest overhead?
In case ANYONE is wondering, I BELIEVE EVERY WORD OF THIS STORY!!! There is not a doubt in my heart or mind that God did EXACTLY as is reported here for us to read.
Thank You Holy Spirit for sharing this story! I LOVE seeing God’s finger in action! The horse and the rider thrown into the sea!
