How does Psalm 136:15 demonstrate God's power over Israel's enemies? Verse Under Study “but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His loving devotion endures forever.” (Psalm 136:15) Historical Snapshot • Israel had just been delivered from centuries of Egyptian bondage (Exodus 12–14). • Pharaoh pursued the fleeing nation with “six hundred select chariots” (Exodus 14:7). • God opened the sea for Israel, then closed it over Egypt’s forces, ending the threat in a single night (Exodus 14:21-28). How the Verse Displays God’s Power over Israel’s Enemies • Divine initiative – God, not Israel, decided the battle plan and executed it. • Supernatural control of nature – He split and then “swept” the sea, an act no human power could match. • Total defeat of the enemy – “Pharaoh and his army” were all engulfed; none escaped (Exodus 14:28). • Immediate, irreversible outcome – The sea returned “to its normal depth,” permanently removing the threat. • Covenant love on display – The repeated refrain “His loving devotion endures forever” ties His power directly to His steadfast commitment to His people. Supporting Passages Echoing the Same Truth • Exodus 14:27 – “the LORD swept them into the sea.” • Exodus 15:4-6 – “Pharaoh’s chariots and army He has thrown into the sea… Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy.” • Psalm 78:13 – “He split the sea and brought them through.” • Psalm 106:9-11 – “He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up… not one of them survived.” • Hebrews 11:29 – Israel passed through “by faith,” while Egypt, attempting the same, was drowned. What This Meant for Israel • Security – God personally removed the mightiest army on earth. • Identity – The nation saw itself as the people protected by the living God. • Worship – The event inspired immediate praise (Exodus 15) and ongoing remembrance in psalms and feasts. Continuing Significance for Believers • Assurance – The same God still defends His people (Romans 8:31). • Confidence in Scripture – A literal, historical miracle undergirds faith in the reliability of the biblical record. • Hope against opposition – No enemy is beyond God’s reach or power (2 Chronicles 20:6). |
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