Introduction

Exodus 15 opens with one of Scripture's oldest and most magnificent poems: the Song of Moses, celebrating God's victory at the Red Sea. But the chapter doesn't end on this high note. Within days, Israel faces bitter water at Marah, revealing how quickly faith can falter after deliverance.

The Song of Moses

[1-18] A victory hymn to the LORD.

Opening Praise [1-3]

• I will sing [1]: "I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea."
• The Lord is my strength and defense [2]: "He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."
• A warrior [3]: "The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name."

What God Did [4-10]

• Pharaoh's army drowned [4-5]: "Pharaoh's chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea... They sank to the depths like a stone."
• Your right hand [6]: "Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy."
• The blast of your nostrils [8]: "By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood up like a wall."
• The enemy's boast [9]: "The enemy boasted, 'I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils.'"
• But you blew [10]: "But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters."

Who Is Like You? [11-13]

• Incomparable God [11]: "Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"
• Steadfast love [13]: "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling."

Nations Tremble [14-16]

• Fear spreads [14-15]: "The nations will hear and tremble... The people of Canaan will melt away; terror and dread will fall on them."
• Still as stone [16]: "By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone—until your people pass by, Lord."

Future Hope [17-18]

• Your mountain [17]: "You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance—the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling."
• The Lord reigns [18]: "The Lord reigns for ever and ever."

Miriam's Song

[19-21] The women join in.

• Summary of the miracle [19]: The passage recaps the sea event
• Miriam the prophet [20]: Miriam the prophet, Aaron's sister, takes a timbrel in her hand, and all the women follow her with timbrels and dancing
• Her response [21]: "Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea."

Bitter Water at Marah

[22-25] Faith tested quickly.

• Three days without water [22]: Moses leads Israel from the Red Sea into the Desert of Shur. They travel three days without finding water
• Bitter water [23]: They arrive at Marah but cannot drink its water because it is bitter (Marah means "bitter")
• The people grumble [24]: "What are we to drink?"
• God provides [25]: Moses cries out to the Lord, who shows him a piece of wood. He throws it into the water, and the water becomes fit to drink
• Testing and law [25-26]: "There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. He said, 'If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.'"

Abundance at Elim

[27] Rest and refreshment.

• Twelve springs, seventy palms: They come to Elim, where there are twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camp there near the water
• After bitter, sweet: God provides abundantly after the test

Key Takeaways

• Worship follows deliverance [1-18]: The proper response to God's salvation is praise
• God is incomparable [11]: No other god comes close
• Tests follow victories [22-24]: Don't be surprised when difficulty follows celebration
• God heals [26]: The One who delivered can also heal

Reflection Questions

• When did you last stop to sing praise for what God has done?
• How do you respond when "bitter water" follows a mountaintop experience?
• What does it mean to you that God is "the Lord who heals"?