exodus 15 and 16

Read Exodus 15 and 16 at Bible Gateway.

If we outline today’s chapters according to God’s paragraph divisions, we find the first strong theme is from Exo 15:1-19:

Exo 15:1 {s} Song of Moses + Sing to YHVH, for He has triumphed gloriously!
Exo 15:2 {s} YHVH has become my salvation
Exo 15:3 {s} YHVH is a man of war
Exo 15:4 {s} He has cast Pharaoh’s army into the sea
Exo 15:5 {s} The depths of the sea have covered them
Exo 15:6 {s} YHVH’s right hand glorious in power + dashed the enemy in pieces
Exo 15:7 {s} YHVH overthrew His enemy by the greatness of His power
Exo 15:8 {s} YHVH made the waters stand upright
Exo 15:9 {s} The enemy said I will pursue and destroy them
Exo 15:10 {s} YHVH made the waters cover them
Exo 15:11 {s} Who is like YHVH glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders
Exo 15:12 {s} YHVH’s right hand caused the earth to swallow them
Exo 15:13 {s} in mercy YHVH has led forth His people whom He has redeemed
Exo 15:14 {s} Philistia will be in anguish
Exo 15:15 {s} Edom, Moab and Canaan will be dismayed
Exo 15:16 {s} They will be in dread till the redeemed of Israel pass over
Exo 15:17 {s} YHVH will plant Israel in His established place
Exo 15:18 {s} YHVH shall reign forever and ever
Exo 15:19 {p} Egyptians drowned in the sea + Israel went on dry land in the sea

The next strong theme is from Exo 15:20-16:10:

Exo 15:20-21 {s} Dance of Miriam + Sing to YHVH, for He has triumphed gloriously!
Exo 15:22-26 {s} Israel complained of no water + bitter waters made sweet
Exo 15:27-16:3 {s} Israel complained of no bread
Exo 16:4-10 {p} YHVH answered that He will provide bread from heaven

The thing that stands out about these two strong themes, is that it doesn’t make sense that Miraim’s dance and song, which mirrors Moses’, is separated from Moses’ and put within a theme which seems to have nothing to do with it. Scripture sets up these puzzles on purpose to teach something!

These two strong themes teach:

Exo 15:1-19 {sx18+p} The song of Moses + praise for what YHVH has done;
Exo 15:20-16:10 {sx3+p} The dance of Miriam + complaints for what YHVH has not done.

YHVH Himself was leading them in the way, by a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. He knew that the place He was leading them to did not have fresh water, or bread, or meat. Why is He leading them into a place of perceived lack?

“I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. And you shall know that I am YHVH your God.” Exo 16:12

God is still teaching Israel who He is – what “I am YHVH” means; what it means that YHVH their Deliverer and Redeemer is their also God. He is also their Healer. He is also their Provider. At every place of perceived lack, in the process of meeting their need, He is revealing a new facet of His character in His name YHVH.

When we come to a place of need, we can complain about our lack as Israel did. Or we can remember that YHVH is our God, and simply ask Him to meet the need. We can praise Him that He is our God who has done great things, and who will do great things again on our behalf!

The remaining paragraph divisions in our chapters today are:

Exo 16:11-27 {s} YHVH provides manna + Sabbath rest commandment
Exo 16:28-36 {p} The Sabbath rest is YHVH’s commandment + memorial of manna

The strong theme is:

Exo 16:11-36 {s+p} YHVH teaches Sabbath rest with manna (bread from heaven)

Please note that Sabbath rest predates the giving of the Law on Sinai. In fact, Sabbath rest predates the Fall of Man – it is the original proclamation of the Gospel of Grace from the foundation of the world. Now go read John chapter 6 and then meditate on the two passages for a while!

The strong themes so far from the beginning of Exodus:

Exo 1:1-2:22 {p+p+p} Israel increased despite the enemy’s opposition; their deliverer born
Exo 2:23-4:17 {s+p} God calls Moses in response to Israel’s need for deliverance
Exo 4:18-26 {p} Return to Egypt in the signs of the Spirit (rod of God) + obedience to the Word (circumcision)
Exo 4:27-6:9 {s+p} Pharaoh does not know YHVH, plagues Israel + YHVH to reveal who He is to Pharaoh and Israel
Exo 6:10-12 {p} Speak to Pharaoh + How shall he heed me? (Moses’ question)
Exo 6:13-30 {s+s+p} I have commanded you through Moses (through Levi); I am YHVH (YHVH’s answer)
Exo 7:1-7 {p} Moses to tell the word of the LORD to Pharaoh + Pharaoh will not heed
Exo 7:8-25 {s+s+p} YHVH begins to reveal who He is (rod + river becomes blood)
Exo 8:1-32 {s+s+p} YHVH shows Himself great (frogs + lice + flies)
Exo 9:1-7 {p} The plague of pestilence on the cattle
Exo 9:8-21 {s+p} The plague of boils a warning to preserve human life (Exo 9:15)
Exo 9:22-35 {p} The plague of hail
Exo 10:1-20 {s+p} The plague of locusts
Exo 10:21-29 {p} The plague of darkness
Exo 11:1-12:20 {sx3+p} Warning of the final plague/ Passover + Unleavened Bread instruction for Israel
Exo 12:21-36 {s+p} Israel observed the Passover/ death of the firstborn
Exo 12:37-42 {p} Israel ceased their sojourn in Egypt
Exo 12:43-51 {s+p} Keep the Passover, for by it YHVH brought Israel out of Egypt
Exo 13:1-16 {px2} Ordinance of the firstborn, Unleavened Bread a sign to future generations
Exo 13:17-14:31 {px4} YHVH led them to a hard place to show Himself strong on Israel’s behalf (Red Sea crossing)
Exo 15:1-19 {sx18+p} Song of Moses + praise for what YHVH has done
Exo 15:20-16:10 {sx3+p} Dance of Miriam + complaints for what YHVH has not done
Exo 16:11-36 {s+p} YHVH teaches Sabbath rest with manna (bread from heaven)