Exodus 15

The destruction of their adversaries was an occasion of great rejoicing for the beleaguered people of God. Whenever we are made aware of a situation of true oppression, or when we see the loss that comes to us or to those we love from the hands of those who are evil, it is not difficult to imagine the singing and dancing that might accompany the destruction of violent enemies by the hand of God.

This praise was a high moment among the people who will soon show themselves to be their own worst nightmare as they go through the wilderness. Their song was not for their own entertainment. It was offered up to the Lord. Through their words we join in this worship of our strong Deliverer.

Have we been delivered from trial? Has God won a great victory for us over sin and death? We should sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously. The Israelites did not cast the Egyptian forces into the sea. And we did not defeat hell. God won the victory. He deserves the praise.

He is our strength in the battles of life, and He is also our strength in every act of true worship. He has saved us now, and He will save us forever with a more glorious salvation than we have ever imagined. He is our God. He is the God of all those who have ever called upon the Name of the Lord with a sincere heart. He is a man of war who cannot be stopped. The Lord, the great I-AM, is His Name.

The God of Israel is not only a God who is far above us. He is near to His people in their time of need. He is not someone who would have to be instructed as to what a chariot is, or who is unaware about what it means for the chariots of Pharaoh to be covered with water. He cast those chariots into the sea.

The chosen officers of Pharaoh were surely intimidating men in their brief lives in the service of the king of Egypt. It was very frightening to the Israelites to see them drawing near. But God is not frightened by men. His arm of power is far above the strongest arm of man. He is able to shatter His enemies. Why would anyone imagine that he could fight against God? Yet that is the problem of pride in the heart of mankind.

The miracle that took place at the Red Sea was not the result of impersonal forces that randomly came together at just the right time. The Israelites were not singing and dancing in praise of the wind and the water. They knew that the same God who had displayed Himself in wonders in Egypt had brought about this miracle of tremendous force. The same God who held back the seas for them had brought the waters down upon those who wanted to kill them. His personal fury came against the Egyptians.

The enemy had his own thoughts about what he was doing. He would pursue the Israelites. He would overtake and defeat them. He would take back the plunder that had come out of Egypt. He would show these slaves who they were. He would have his desire. He would kill them if he needed to. But the adversary blindly forgot about Israel's God. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, He blew with His wind, and He covered up this proud foe.

There is no one like the Lord! This display of divine power and faithful love for Israel, the people He redeemed, would be known among the many people groups of that region and beyond. The Philistines, Edomites, Moabites, and Canaanites would hear the word of what had taken place, and they would be in dread of Israel and Israel's God.

One day the Lord of Israel and His redeemed people would pass by in front of all these enemies. If He was powerful enough to overthrow the chariots of Pharaoh, He would not be stopped until He had established His people on the heights of His chosen land. If He loved them this much, surely He would settle them on the mountain where He lived. They would worship Him there in His sanctuary. There the God of Israel will reign forever and ever.

These are the themes that filled the mouths of the people of Israel in the midst of such an amazing display of deliverance. Should we praise God less than they did on that great day? Together with Miriam, the sister of Moses, the women of the congregation sang and danced to the glory of God. Then Israel set out on their journey. They needed water and the Lord provided a way to make bitter water sweet. He promised to be their healer, and He led them to place of plentiful springs of water.

Pharaoh's army was a very formidable force. But the wrath of a righteous God that would have justly come against us is far more frightening. The Lord's deliverance of Israel through the destruction of their adversaries made the chosen people of the Lord sing and dance in heartfelt praise to God. We should give Him nothing less than the greatest devotion and obedience.

We see more clearly now, not only the power of the Lord's hand, but also the costly love that has saved us. All the divine justice that the Lord's enemies deserve has now come upon the mighty Son of God for our sake. This is both power and love. With the clarity of the cross of Christ and the wonder of His resurrection as a present force in our souls, we should worship God and obey His Word every day. Our Lord has granted us eternal healing in Jesus Christ. We will dwell with Him forever. Praise the Lord!