Exodus 15

Read Exodus 15 here or at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraphs:

15:1 {s} Song of Moses: Sing to YHVH, for He has triumphed gloriously!
15:2 {s} YHVH has become my salvation
15:3 {s} YHVH is a man of war
15:4 {s} He has cast Pharaoh’s army into the sea
15:5 {s} The depths of the sea have covered them
15:6 {s} YHVH’s right hand glorious in power + dashed the enemy in pieces
15:7 {s} YHVH overthrew His enemy by the greatness of His power
15:8 {s} YHVH made the waters stand upright
15:9 {s} The enemy said I will pursue and destroy them
15:10 {s} YHVH made the waters cover them
15:11 {s} Who is like YHVH glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders
15:12 {s} YHVH’s right hand caused the earth to swallow them
15:13 {s} in mercy YHVH has led forth His people whom He has redeemed
15:14 {s} Philistia will be in anguish
15:15 {s} Edom, Moab and Canaan will be dismayed
15:16 {s} They will be in dread till the redeemed of Israel pass over
15:17 {s} YHVH will plant Israel in His established place
15:18 {s} YHVH shall reign forever and ever
15:19 {p} Egyptians drowned in the sea and Israel went on dry land in the sea
15:20-21 {s} Dance of Miriam: Sing to YHVH, for He has triumphed gloriously!
15:22-26 {s} Israel complained of no water; waters of Marah (bitterness) made sweet
15:27-16:3 {s} …

Today’s chapter completes yesterday’s structure. Yesterday’s structure is still valid, but the new information suggests a rearrangement of elements:

YHVH Himself led the children of Israel into a tight place, where they were hemmed in with the sea before them, and the Egyptians behind them.

And YHVH spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal-zephon, over against it you shall camp by the sea.’ Exo 14:1-2

Why put them in a tight spot on purpose? The central axis reveals it. Those who do not know YHVH, can only learn who YHVH is – Redeemer and Deliverer – when He bares His mighty arm to deliver His people.

This reveals a new truth: Deliverance is unavoidable. Our praise and exaltation of YHVH, when the deliverance happens, should be unavoidable too! It is the only worthy response.

If there are questions, these are good resources:

The Red Sea Miracle, Parts I and II – Thinking Man Films
The Lost Sea of the Exodus – Dr. Glen Fritz