Exodus 15 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. They watch as the waters sweep over the Egyptians. They hear the screams of terror as the wall of water crashes down on their pursuers. Imas turn their childrens’ faces into their own skirts. And they watch as bodies begin to be deposited, dead, on the other shore. It is a humbling and gruesome sight.
But it is also one filled with excitement and praise. THEY could have been the ones at lying dead on the shores. Or they could have been dragged back to Egypt, in chains. Instead, they are standing on the opposite shore, SAFE and secure.
The quiet was almost oppressive as the people watched the hand of God’s judgment on Egypt. A cheer goes up from one man; “The horse and rider have been thrown into the sea!” Within moments it catches like wildfire and spreads throughout the camp. Miriam grabs her tambourine and begins to dance and sing. Other women follow suit.
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 bask in the awesomeness of God. There is not a discouraged or down trodden face among the whole multitude!
Moses begins to lead the people in a new song. He starts with the song and shout that Miriam began singing and dancing to. But it’s more than simply the death of Egypt. It is a promise of reliance and relationship with their God. No longer “The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob”, but MY God. MY strength and salvation.
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
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.
The Lord is a man of war;
the Lord is his name…”
The song moves onto recognizing exactly what THEIR GOD had just done for them. If not for His hand, they would have perished. Instead, their enemy is no more.
“Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea,
and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.
The floods covered them;
they went down into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power,
your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.
In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries;
you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.
At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up;
the floods stood up in a heap;
the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them.
I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’
You blew with your wind; the sea covered them;
they sank like lead in the mighty waters…”
Moses can’t help but return to an almost ‘boastful’ praise. Only, it’s not boasting. It is speaking the truth!
“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
You stretched out your right hand;
the earth swallowed them…”
NO other god can compare! NO other nation can claim Him as their own. And NO other nation is claimed by Him as HIS own! This gives Moses and the people confidence and assurance for their future. ALL the nations will tremble at what God has done for His people. And they will sing of this at the top of their lungs!
“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.” (Exodus 15:1-19)
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.
Moses calls to the people. “It is time to rest and eat. We have only begun our journey. We are safe here. For our God watches over us still.” Moses points to the cloud pillar which has come to rest. “Refresh yourselves, but be ready to move when He calls us to.”
The people do as Moses has instructed them. Stories of “I saw…” and “Can you believe…” can be heard throughout the camp as the people sit and eat their meal. Moses’ heart swells every time he hears a “Praise be to God” float up from the people.
“Lord God, they will be speaking of this FOREVER! These people will follow You ANYWHERE now!” thinks Moses. There is something in Moses’ spirit though that tells him that this journey will not be an easy one. He has seen the fickleness of this people. For today, at least, their hearts are committed to the Lord’s plan.
There is still much ground to cover before they will reach 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 expects that God will take full advantage of the people’s mood this day.
(to be continued)
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!
