They were and we are. By Jesus. Exodus 15.19
Jesus throughout the Scriptures: Exodus (5)
Pray Psalm 22.23-28.
You who fear the LORD, praise Him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!
Sing Psalm 22.23.
(Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord Is King)
All you who fear the LORD, now praise His holy Name!
You children of His glorious Word, declare His fame!
We stand in awe of our eternal God, and on His mercy call.
Read Exodus 15.1-19; meditate on verses 11-13.
Preparation
1. What were the people celebrating with this song?
2. How did this make them think about God?
Meditation
Israel’s deliverance from captivity in Egypt is a type of our salvation. For as God became salvation for Israel (v. 2), so Jesus has become a greater salvation for all who believe in Him.
How did the people know this song? It appears that Moses led them in it, so perhaps the Lord gave him words and they sang responsively. But we can only imagine the jubilation with which these words leapt from the throats of God’s grateful and delivered people. What joy! What shouting! What embracing and jumping up and down must have accompanied this singing! What weeping of gratitude!
We note the mention of God’s “right hand” in verses 6 (twice) and 12. The right hand is the hand of strength, the hand that gets the work done. Jesus is the Right Hand of the Father because He carried out the work of redemption and deliverance that we require; He is building His Church (Matt. 16.18); and He is advancing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6.10). The people of Israel saw a temporary glimpse of the right hand of the Lord. Now that power, that majesty, andthat irrepressible love dwell within all who know Jesus and follow Him in His path.
Israel celebrated deliverance from enslavement in Egypt. We celebrate deliverance from enslavement to sin. God has liberated us by His strong Right Hand, and He is bringing us through the wilderness of this world and time unto Himself and His promises. Every foe will be routed; every obstacle will be overcome. God has delivered us from sin into His Kingdom, and He will deliver us yet again to that glorious new heavens and new earth where “The LORD [Jesus Christ] shall reign forever and ever” (v. 18)
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.
In order to be delivered to the other side, they had to step into the seabed onto the tentatively dry ground.
It took faith in their unfailing God to do it; but they did it and were saved.
“The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him” (Ex. 15.2).
Peter attempted somewhat the same feat, but failed miserably, because His faith faltered.
Jesus came walking toward the boat bound disciples during a boisterous storm on the water. Yes, right on top of the raging sea. After the disciples recovered from their shock and fear, Peter came up with this idea: “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” and Jesus responded with, yes, “Come”. So, Peter stepped into the storm and walked on the water towards Jesus. But when he took his eyes off Jesus, and looked around at what he had done, and saw that the waters were raging, he began to sink. Then he cried out, “Lord, save me!” And then Jesus graciously stretched out His hand and caught him. But that was not the end of the story. He also said to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14.24-31).
The Israelites, who had trouble obeying and keeping their eyes on God, managed to accomplish this amazing feat through faith. At this juncture, their faith was strong, and for that, they got a song! A song to sing to remind themselves of a good day, a good time of obedience and faith; and a song to harken back to throughout the years to encourage themselves that “with God nothing will be impossible” (Lk. 1.37).
All believers have had moments of true faith and moments of faltering faith. God, however, never changes.
His ways are always perfect. And we, as His children, should never doubt that He is able to care for us when we step into a recently dried seabed or onto a raging sea. We just need to take the step. Trusting Him fully.
“Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
You stretched out Your right hand; the earth swallowed [the Egyptians].
You in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation” (Ex. 15.11-13).
Delivered! They were. We were.
Step out…into…onto… and watch His Right Hand faithfully redeem.
“The LORD shall reign forever and ever” (Ex. 15.18). Trust Him.
Reflection
1. What might it mean for you to step into the dry seabed today? That is, how is God calling you to live by faith in Him?
2. How can we make sure we’re always ready to step out onto the water as Jesus says, “Come”?
3. Whom will you encourage today in their walk with and work for the Lord?
The Lord is a God of almighty power, and woe to those that strive with their Maker! He is a God of matchless perfection; he is glorious in holiness; his holiness is his glory. His holiness appears in the hatred of sin, and his wrath against obstinate sinners. It appears in the deliverance of Israel, and his faithfulness to his own promise. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Exodus 15.1-21
Pray Psalm 22.24-28.
Pray that God’s people, who have been delivered from sin into a great salvation, will be revived in love for God and His Word and to take up our calling to proclaim Jesus and His Kingdom to our world.
Sing Psalm 22.24-28.
(Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord Is King)
For He has not despised the anguish of our King,
nor from Him hid His eyes, Who knew such suffering.
Let praise arise from all who love and serve the Ruler of the skies!
Then all the poor shall eat and praise with us the LORD.
Forever we His praise repeat and trust His Word.
Praise God above, all you who keep His vows and who His mercies love!
All nations shall repent and hasten to the LORD.
All those to whom His truth is sent shall praise His Word.
The LORD is King! His sovereign rule on high now we His people sing!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
To learn more about the salvation into which we have been delivered, order the book, Such a Great Salvation, by clicking here. Or order a free copy in PDF by clicking here.
Support for Scriptorium comes from our faithful and generous God, who moves our readers to share financially in our work. If this article was helpful, please give Him thanks and praise.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from theNew King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are fromThe Ailbe Psalter.
