(1) Structure vv. 1b–18; (NET+EBC)
three sections:
Praise to God (1b–3),
The cause for the praise (4-18)
a. a retrospective description of the overthrow of the Egyptian forces
(4–12)
b. the a prospective prediction of Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land, God’s demonstrations of his sovereignty inspire confidence in him by his people (13-18)
(2) Repeated phrases
v.1-3 Sing to the LORD, praise Him, exalt him-God did not need command His people to sing. Singing or praising are out of the emotion when people experience God. In the song, not only the emotion is conveyed, but the reason for the emotion are stated clearly. God has triumphed, He is a warrior, He has shown His strength, He has become my salvation.
(NET) This song of the sea is, then, a great song of praise for Yahweh’s deliverance of Israel at the Sea, and his preparation to lead them to the promised land, much to the (anticipated) dread of the nations. The principle here, and elsewhere in Scripture, is that the people of God naturally respond to God in praise for his great acts of deliverance. Few will match the powerful acts that were exhibited in Egypt, but these nonetheless set the tone. The song is certainly typological of the song of the saints in heaven who praise God for delivering them from the bondage of this world by judging the world. The focus of the praise, though, still is on the person (attributes) and works of God.
v.4-12 The chariots and army were drowned, they sank to the bottom, v.5,10, the earth swallowed them v.12, the right hand of the LORD, God's majesty, His wrath, the sea, the water.
15:9 The enemy said, ‘I will chase, I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil; my desire will be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword, my hand will destroy them.’
In the middle of this section, even after God had shown His power, the enemy did not want to give up.
v.13-18 the nations will tremble, anguish will seize them, terrified, shake, fear and dread. Israel will be led and guided. God will bring them to God's residence and sanctuary.
These languages were used in the book of Revelation to describe the reaction of the nations in the tribulations, before the return of Jesus. God will show that He is the warrior again in the future.
(3) Reflection: Do you sing/praise God spontaneously when you think about what He has done to your life? When He answered your prayer? When He gave you comfort? Or when you remembered His salvation?
Do you feel that your enemy does not want to give up? He/She may say, "I will chase, I will not give up. However, there is no comparison to the power to the power of God. Knowing that the enemy will not give up, shall we constantly rely on God?
Knowing that what God has done to us in the past gives us hope about what God will do to us in the future. For sure, God is able to deliver His people and bring them to the Promised Land (for the Israelites) or to His presence (for all His people, including us). To Moses, he was very sure about what was ahead of him. Do you?
Audrey
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