Exodus 15

Exodus 15 is often referred to as the Song of Moses and Miriam, celebrating the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. After crossing the Red Sea and witnessing God’s miraculous victory over Pharaoh’s army, Moses leads the people in a song of praise, exalting God’s power, faithfulness, and justice. The chapter also contains a prophetic reflection on God’s future guidance of Israel and ends with the provision of water at Marah, symbolizing God’s continued care for His people.

Exodus 15:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying:
“I will sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!

2 The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

3 The Lord is a man of war;
The Lord is His name."

These verses begin with a powerful declaration of praise, acknowledging the miraculous defeat of Pharaoh’s army. Israel recognizes that it was not their own strength, but God’s intervention, that brought about their deliverance. The song declares that the Lord is their strength and salvation, portraying Him as a warrior who fights for His people. This declaration reinforces the covenant relationship between God and Israel, as they recognize Him as both their personal Savior and the God of their ancestors.

Exodus 15:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;
His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.
5 The depths have covered them;
They sank to the bottom like a stone.

These verses describe the specific act of judgment against Pharaoh and his forces. The imagery of the sea swallowing the Egyptian army emphasizes the completeness of God’s victory. The army, which seemed invincible with its chariots and captains, was utterly powerless against the Lord’s might. The phrase “sank to the bottom like a stone” conveys the suddenness and finality of their defeat, showing how God can effortlessly overthrow the mightiest of human forces.

Exodus 15:6-7 (NKJV)
6 “Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power;
Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces.
7 And in the greatness of Your excellence
You have overthrown those who rose against You;
You sent forth Your wrath;
It consumed them like stubble."

These verses emphasize the overwhelming power of God’s right hand, a symbol of His active strength in delivering His people. The Lord's power is described as "glorious" and capable of shattering enemies into pieces. The image of God’s wrath consuming the enemy like stubble highlights the ease with which He executes judgment on those who oppose Him. This portrayal of God’s greatness reminds Israel—and later readers—that no enemy can stand against His will.

Exodus 15:8-10 (NKJV)
8 And with the blast of Your nostrils
The waters were gathered together;
The floods stood upright like a heap;
The depths congealed in the heart of the sea.

9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword,
My hand shall destroy them.’

10 You blew with Your wind,
The sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters."

These verses continue the poetic description of God’s miraculous intervention. The “blast of Your nostrils” portrays the parting of the Red Sea as a divine act, with the waters standing still like walls. The arrogance of Pharaoh’s army is shown in their pursuit and presumption of victory. However, their plans are thwarted as God’s breath—symbolizing His sovereign power—closes the waters over them, causing them to sink into the sea like lead, emphasizing how easily God destroyed them.

Exodus 15:11-12 (NKJV)
11 “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12 You stretched out Your right hand;
The earth swallowed them."

Here, Moses and the Israelites express awe at God's uniqueness. The rhetorical question "Who is like You?" emphasizes God's supremacy over all other supposed deities. His holiness is described as glorious, and His power inspires reverence. The mention of "stretching out Your right hand" echoes earlier references to God's mighty power, while "the earth swallowed them" refers to the finality of the Egyptian army’s destruction, swallowed by the sea.

Exodus 15:13-15 (NKJV)
13 You in Your mercy have led forth
The people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength
To Your holy habitation.

14 “The people will hear and be afraid;
Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed;
The mighty men of Moab,
Trembling will take hold of them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away."

These verses shift from celebrating past victory to a future-oriented reflection. God’s mercy in redeeming Israel is highlighted, as He guides them toward the promised land, referred to here as His “holy habitation.” The song then anticipates the fear that will grip the nations surrounding Canaan—Philistia, Edom, Moab, and Canaan itself—when they hear of God’s power and Israel’s deliverance. The imagery of these nations “melting away” conveys the overwhelming fear that will paralyze them.

Exodus 15:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Fear and dread will fall on them;
By the greatness of Your arm
They will be as still as a stone,
Till Your people pass over, O Lord,
Till the people pass over
Whom You have purchased.

17 You will bring them in and plant them
In the mountain of Your inheritance,
In the place, O Lord, which You have made
For Your own dwelling,
The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.

18 “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”

These verses express confidence in God’s ongoing guidance. Fear will fall on Israel’s enemies, and they will be immobilized until God’s people pass through, referring to the future conquest of Canaan. The people are described as God’s possession, redeemed by Him. Verse 17 envisions the future fulfillment of God’s promise to plant Israel in the promised land, described as His holy sanctuary. The concluding verse—“The Lord shall reign forever and ever”—is a declaration of God’s eternal kingship.

Exodus 15:19 (NKJV)
19 For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them. But the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

This verse serves as a narrative reminder of the miraculous event. It contrasts the fates of the Egyptians and the Israelites: while Pharaoh’s army was drowned in the sea, the Israelites safely crossed on dry land. The repetition of this fact emphasizes the totality of God’s deliverance and judgment.

Exodus 15:20-21 (NKJV)
20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
21 And Miriam answered them:
“Sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!”

These verses highlight the role of Miriam, Moses’ sister, as a leader among the women. She leads them in celebrating God’s victory with music and dance, echoing the themes of Moses’ song. Her refrain—“Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously!”—is a joyful proclamation of God’s power, as she leads the women in worship. This moment shows the communal nature of Israel’s worship and the joy that followed their deliverance.

Exodus 15:22-24 (NKJV)
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.
23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.
24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”

After the triumph at the Red Sea, Israel faces a new challenge—finding water in the wilderness. They travel for three days without water and finally arrive at Marah, only to discover that the water is undrinkable. The name “Marah” means bitter, reflecting the people’s frustration. The people quickly shift from praising God to complaining, showing the frailty of their faith and the difficulties of their journey through the wilderness.

Exodus 15:25-26 (NKJV)
25 So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.
There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them,
26 and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”

In response to the people's complaints, Moses cries out to God, and the Lord provides a solution by showing him a tree that, when thrown into the water, makes it drinkable. This miracle is not just about quenching thirst but serves as a test for Israel’s faith and obedience. God promises health and protection if they obey His commandments, presenting Himself as their healer. This event foreshadows the conditional nature of the covenant God will make with them.

Exodus 15:27 (NKJV)
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters.

After the bitter experience at Marah, the Israelites arrive at Elim, a place of abundance with twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees. This new location symbolizes God’s provision and rest for His people after a time of testing. The numbers twelve and seventy may carry symbolic significance, representing completeness and abundance. Elim serves as a momentary oasis in their journey, showing that God leads them not only through trials but also to places of refreshing and restoration.