Exodus 15:1-8
1-8 I’m singing my heart out to God—what a victory! He pitched horse and rider into the sea. God is my strength, God is my song, and, yes! God is my salvation. This is the kind of God I have and I’m telling the world! This is the God of my father—I’m spreading the news far and wide! God is a fighter, pure God, through and through. Pharaoh’s chariots and army he dumped in the sea, The elite of his officers he drowned in the Red Sea. Wild ocean waters poured over them; they sank like a rock in the deep blue sea. Your strong right hand, God, shimmers with power; your strong right hand shatters the enemy. In your mighty majesty you smash your upstart enemies, You let loose your hot anger and burn them to a crisp. At a blast from your nostrils the waters piled up; Tumbling streams dammed up, wild oceans curdled into a swamp.
9 The enemy spoke, “I’ll pursue, I’ll hunt them down, I’ll divide up the plunder, I’ll glut myself on them; I’ll pull out my sword, my fist will send them reeling.”
10-11 You blew with all your might and the sea covered them. They sank like a lead weight in the majestic waters. Who compares with you among gods, O God? Who compares with you in power, in holy majesty, In awesome praises, wonder-working God?
12-13 You stretched out your right hand and the Earth swallowed them up. But the people you redeemed, you led in merciful love; You guided them under your protection to your holy pasture. 14-18 When people heard, they were scared; Philistines writhed and trembled; Yes, even the head men in Edom were shaken, and the big bosses in Moab. Everybody in Canaan panicked and fell faint. Dread and terror sent them reeling. Before your brandished right arm they were struck dumb like a stone, Until your people crossed over and entered, O God, until the people you made crossed over and entered. You brought them and planted them on the mountain of your heritage, The place where you live, the place you made, Your sanctuary, Master, that you established with your own hands. Let God rule forever, for eternity! Exodus 15:1-18 (MSG)
With the coming of the last plague - the death of the Egyptians first born - Moses prepared the Israelites to flee from their slavery by the Egyptians. They baked bread without yeast because they didn’t have time to let the dough rise. Then they wrapped the unbaked dough in cloth so they could carry it on their shoulders. They gathered their herds and flocks of sheep, goats and cattle to take with them. The local people even gave them silver, gold and clothing for their journey (Exodus 12:35-36).
As they left, they thought they were escaping slavery in Egypt, only to have Pharaoh change his mind and come after them with his army. Pharaoh and his army chased them through the wilderness until they were trapped by the Red Sea. Moses raises his rod and stretches out his hand; the waters part and the Israelites walk through on dry ground. Moses raises his hand again and the waters flow back covering the Egyptian army. The Israelites are safe. And so we come to today’s verses . . .
After escaping the Egyptian army, the first thing Moses does is to worship God in song. It was a joyful response to God’s saving grace.
Having recently returned from visiting our sister church in Uswaa, Tanzania, I understand the importance of preparation. Like the Israelites, the necessities of daily living are important – clothing and personal care items. But unlike the Israelites, we don’t have to worry about food. Our brothers and sisters at Uswaa will keep us well fed for our entire stay. We will prepare for time with elementary and high school students, patients at the medical clinic and small gifts for home visits with the sick and elderly.
The most important parallel though, is the joyful greeting we receive when we arrive. Greetings, hugs, flowers and sometimes singing, always followed by prayers of thanks. Truly a joyful response to God’s presence in our journey.
Whether preparing for the return to school and Sunday School, the fall harvest, or the changes that cooler weather brings, God is present for the journey. God is present as we mark the beginning of the school year with first day pictures. As we appreciate the harvest with apples from the orchards and pumpkin pie. As we take a walk in the cool of the evening (if not yet, soon!).
If you look at verse 11 it describes the wonder and praise that we experience when we think of God: “Who compares with you among the gods, O God? Who compares with you in power, in holy majesty, In awesome praises wonder-working God?"
Questions for Reflection:
- Do we notice God in all the amazing ways God is active in our lives?
- Are we affected by who God is and what God does?
- Does it change the way we go through life? The things we do? The way we do them? The goals we have?
Prayer:
Always present, always loving, always active God,
Thank you, Lord, for the people and places that have helped me know you. Thank you for all your gifts. I pray that through each season I will recognize and be amazed by your presence in my life. Amen.
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