Exodus 15:1-21 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying, I will sing to the LORD… Exodus 15:1-21. One of the first songs in the Bible - the first Jewish song - we may almost call it the tap-root whence springs the main stem of Jewish psalmody. The art of poetry and instruments of music were no doubt brought from Egypt; the land of slavery was yet the land of science. Such "spoils" were made all the more valuable, and appropriated all the more firmly by consecration (cf. Keble, Christian Year, 3rd Sunday in Lent). All the wealth of the world is at the disposal of God's children - for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof - the problem which they have to solve is how to use it without abusing it (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:23-28). Turn to the song itself, and see what lessons it has to teach. Three stanzas (vers. 1-5, 6-10, 11-18) - each begins with ascription of praise to Jehovah; each ends with a reference to Jehovah's treatment of his foes. Notice: - I. PRESENT GRATITUDE. Vers. 1-5. - In the excitement of the great deliverance, words almost fail to express the praise. The name of the deliverer is repeated four times in eight lines. Yet not once is it a "vain repetition." All the difference in the world between using God's name to disguise an empty heart and using it to express the feelings of a full one. Here, "out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh.." God loves such praise, the praise of a heart which cannot help praising. Some try to praise because they think God expects it of them; their hearts are like dry wells whilst yet, out of supposed respect to God, they keep on working the pump-handle! Fill the heart first and all such artificial efforts will be needless; the full heart is a springing well. "How fill?" By letting the thought of God's great mercies pierce through to the heart's deeps. If the thought of God and of his deeds comes home to us, our praise will soon flow forth freely. II. PAST MERCIES THE CAUSE OF PRESENT GRATITUDE. Vers. 6-10. This is what called forth the praise. All real, all genuine. Moses is not sending up his song to a "possible God, but to one whom he believes in utterly as a living, present, powerful ruler. Notice - 1. The reality of the enemy, No doubt about the tyranny in Egypt. Brickfields and scourges had left their mark upon the memory. No doubt either as to the late danger (ver. 9). The exasperated pursuers determined to repossess their prey. 2. The reality of the deliverance. Where were the pursuers now? The wreckage drifting within sight marked the spot where they had sunk for ever! 3. The reality of the deliverer. No doubt as to his existence - no doubt as to his goodness - in face of such overwhelming evidence. We also, if we would but realise it, have been as truly delivered from dangers just as real. If we but half believe in God, and offer him only a make-shift praise, it is not because he has done less for us; it is because we think less on the meaning of his mercies. III. PAST MERCIES THE PLEDGE OF FUTURE TRIUMPHS. Vers. 11-18. - Moses was confident about the future because he had no doubt about the past. He was prepared to go from strength to strength," because he could start from a strong position. From what God has done, we may rightly infer what he will do. If he has made a way for his people through the sea of waters, he will also make a way for them through yet stormier and more perilous seas (ver. 16). The first deliverance is a pledge and prophecy of all future deliverances. Thus the song of Moses, strong in a present confidence, firmly based upon past mercies, finds its outcome in a good hope, inspiring men along the path of progress. If we would sing the song as it should be sung, we must learn from memory to praise truly; and true praise will soon quicken hope. To live for the future we must live upon the past. The song of the Lamb, the song which specially expresses the full satisfaction of all our hopes, can only be sung by those who have sung first this other song; the song which still feeds hope at the same time that it expresses gratitude. - G. Parallel Verses KJV: Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. |
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