The Song Of Moses And Miriam.

THE SONG OF MOSES AND MIRIAM.

Exodus 15:1-11, Exodus 15:20-21.

EXODUS 15:1. The song of Moses and the congregation begins with the acclamation that “the LORD hath triumphed gloriously.” It is a celebration of the children of Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea, and the LORD’s victory over the oppressors of His people (cf. Exodus 14:29-30). “The horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea” indicates the thoroughness of their defeat.

EXODUS 15:2. “The LORD is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation” is echoed in Psalm 118:14 and Isaiah 12:2, reminding successive generations of their reliance upon the LORD in all the changes and challenges of life. “He is my God” is an affirmation of faith.

“I will prepare Him a habitation” speaks of honouring Him for His victory (not that we can add anything to God, but we hold Him in high esteem on account of the triumph that He has wrought through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.)

He is not only “my God,” says Moses, but “my father’s God” (cf. Exodus 3:6). Moses’ father was Amran, his mother Jochebed (cf. Exodus 6:20). Moses’ parents are both mentioned in the roll-call of the heroes of the faith (cf. Hebrews 11:23). They recognised the potential in their infant son Moses, and were not afraid to defy mighty Pharaoh’s command (cf. Exodus 2:2-3).

EXODUS 15:3. “The LORD is a man of war.” The LORD not only delivers His people, but also destroys their foes. I find this reassuring in the midst of the SPIRITUAL battles which all His people must necessarily face.

“The LORD is His name.” The LORD (Hebrew, ‘YHWH’) had introduced Himself to Moses by this name (cf. Exodus 3:13-15). ‘I AM THAT I AM,’ He told him. Tell them, ‘I AM’ hath sent you. This speaks of God as the self-existent One, who always has been, is now, and ever will be. ‘This is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations’ Hereafter our English translations render the name YHWH, translated above as ‘I AM,’ as ‘the LORD’ in capital letters.

EXODUS 15:4. “Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea.” This is an elucidation of the last clause of Exodus 15:1, where we read ‘the horse and his rider hath He thrown in the sea.’ Whose horse and whose rider? “Pharaoh’s!”

Pharaoh’s “chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.” There is an authenticity in this report in that the word translated “chosen captains” or ‘officers’ appears to be identical to the Egyptian word for the commander of a corps.

EXODUS 15:5. “The depths have covered them; they sank into the bottom like a stone.” Again, the thoroughness of the LORD’s victory.

EXODUS 15:6. “Thy right hand, O LORD” indicates that the victory belongs to the LORD, and to Him alone. His right hand is seen to be “glorious in power” because His right hand “hath dashed in pieces the enemy.”

EXODUS 15:7. “And in the greatness of thine excellency.” The ultimate manifestation of the greatness of God is Jesus. Jesus has ‘a more excellent name’ than the angels (cf. Hebrews 1:4), and a ‘more excellent ministry’ than any other high priest (cf. Hebrews 8:6).

“Thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee.” Those who rose up against God’s people are here described as those who rose up against God. It is a fearsome thing to fall into the hands of an angry God: “Thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.” (Cf. Matthew 3:12).

EXODUS 15:8. “The blast of His nostrils” was earlier called ‘a strong east wind’ (cf. Exodus 14:21). The miracle is that the waters stood up on end, like a mighty wall on either side of the Israelites as they passed through, and did not fall down upon them.

EXODUS 15:9. Meantime the enemy (Pharaoh) made his fatal plan: “I will “pursue,” “overtake,” “divide the spoil,” “satisfy my lust” upon Israel, “draw my sword,” and “destroy” them.

EXODUS 15:10. The LORD’s reply was as swift as it was thorough. “Thou didst BLOW with thy wind, the sea COVERED them: they SANK as lead in the mighty waters.”

EXODUS 15:11. “Who is like thee, O LORD, among the (so-called) gods?”

1. “Glorious in holiness.” His total otherness; His moral purity.

2. “Fearful in praises.” Reverenced in the praises of His redeemed people.

3. “Doing (supernatural) wonders.”

EXODUS 15:21-22. No wonder Miriam and the women continued to praise the LORD with their timbrels and dances!