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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Exodus Chapter 15

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Moses
Date Penned: (1450-1410 BC)
Overview: The Record of God's Deliverance of Israel (c 1-40)
Theme: Israel in the Wilderness (c 13-18)
Message: Complaining in the Wilderness (v 1-27)

Exodus 15 Commentary

(15:1-18) A Song of Victory - Music played an important part in Israel's worship and celebration. Singing was an expression of love and thanks, and it was a creative way to pass down oral traditions. Some say this song of Moses is the oldest recorded song in the world. It was a festive epic poem celebrating God's victory, lifting the hearts and voices of the people outward and upward. After having been delivered from great danger, they sang with joy! Psalms and hymns can be great ways to express relief, praise, and thanks when you have been through trouble.

(15:20) Miriam Ministers with Music - Miriam was called a prophetess not only because she received revelations from God (Numbers 12:1-2; Micah 6:4) but also because of her musical skill. Prophecy and music were often closely related in the Bible (1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Chronicles 25:1). Miriam's timbrel was an instrument shaped like a circle and ringed with brass pieces. It was similar to the tambourine.

(15:23,27) A Lack of Trust - The water at the oasis of Marah is contrasted with the springs at the oasis of Elim. Marah stands for the unbelieving, grumbling attitude of the people who would not trust God. Elim stands for God's bountiful provision. How easy it is to grumble and complain too quickly, only to be embarrassed by God's gracious provision! We must be patient as we wait for God's kindness and help. Don't let a negative attitude erode your trust in God.

(15:26) Obedience Comes with a Promise - God promised that if the people obeyed him, they would not suffer from the diseases that plagued the Egyptians. Little did they know that many of the moral laws he later gave them were designed to keep them free from sickness. For example, following God's law against prostitution would keep them free of venereal disease. God's laws for us are often designed to keep us from harm. Men and women are complex beings. Our physical, emotional, and spiritual lives are intertwined. Modern medicine is now acknowledging what these laws assumed. If we want God to care for us, we need to submit to his directions for living.


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Have Faith


Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of Exodus with Chapter 15 and in today's text we see Israel rejoicing and singing a victory song to the Lord after being delivered from Egypt, Slavery, and Pharaoh. As they travel in the wilderness they find themselves having a need for water in a place called Marah. Here the waters were bitter and the people murmured against Moses just days after being delivered. It would have seemed that they would have more faith in after what they had just seen. In making application I see a common problem in Christian lives. A lack of faith and a short sighted memory on who God is and His relationship to us. I found myself in this situation this week needing the Lord to intervene but instead of having faith remembering the blessings the Lord had provided for me in the past. I too murmured and quickly had to repent because of my lack of faith. Looking back I see my lack of faith could have caused me to miss the blessing. How about you? Do you murmur to the Lord when faced with a need? Let us learn from today's text and have faith in the Lord remembering what He has done in our lives.

 

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Exodus 15


Exodus 15

 1Then 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.

 2The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

 3The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

 4Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

 5The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

 6Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

 7And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

 8And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

 9The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

 10Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

 11Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

 12Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

 13Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

 14The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

 15Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

 16Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

 17Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established.

 18The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

 19For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

 20And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

 21And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

 22So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

 23And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

 24And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

 25And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

 26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

 27And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.