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"The Song of Moses I"
Exodus 15:1-10
July 18, 2010
by C.W. Powell
Audio:
“1 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. 2 The 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. 3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. 5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. 6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7 And 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. 8 And 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. 9 The 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. 10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. (Ex 15:1-10)
There are two songs of Moses. This one was composed after the crossing of the Red Sea. The other is recorded in Deut. 31-33 and left as a memorial to the children of Israel to remind them of their rebellion.
This song is a song of redemption and the power of God. It is this song that is sung by the redeemed in Rev. 15. This means that this is a fit song to be sung by the church and is to be understood spiritually and figuratively. The deliverance from Egypt and Pharaoh is a type of our redemption from sin and death and hell, and from all the power of the devil, who holds men in bondage. There are some things that need to be said:
I. This song, though called the song of Moses, was sung by all of Israel, not just Moses. -
A. There are 600,000 men plus women and children who were witnesses to this event. This is not fiction that Moses made up. Besides, we are going to see that these men were not slavish followers of Moses, brain dead followers of a cult, but family men and not willing to follow Moses blindly, as we shall see from the subsequent history.
B. This song specifically memorializes the crossing of the Red Sea and the great miracle of its opening and the destruction of Pharaoh and his army. Verse one. This is one of the best attested event of ancient history, and people are willingly ignorant if they choose not to believe.
C. In all the centuries since Moses, Israel has preserved these records with names, events, places.
II. Moses praises the attributes of God. Whether you believe this account or not will depend upon your view of the attributes of God. What attributes do you ascribe to God? Those of Scripture, or something that you heard from someone or that you dreamed up yourself?-
A. God is my strength and my song. How wonderful to join these together.
1. Strength without song is fearful but of no comfort. Song makes strength joyous. We are glad that He is strong, and Glad that He is our strength
2. My strength and my song: nothing abstract here. They saw the sea open up. They rejoiced in the power of God.
3. God was not the strength of Egypt. There was no song in the dead carcasses of the Egyptians that washed up on the shore.
4. “My” speak of covenant, and all the children of Israel sang it. They knew that God was their God and their salvation and their joy. This did not belong to others only, but to them and to their children.
5. They should not be longing, then, for Egypt, and the safety of Egypt. This would come later, and this song rebuked them in advance.
B. He is my savior. There is no other savior but God. He is become my salvation: “My,” though all Israel sang it together. Each man, women, child, passed through the sea and were saved. All of them.
1. See 1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.
2. God does hear the prayers of men who cry out to him, for he has mercy on the unbeliever and often hears their cry in trouble. Answer to prayer is not necessarily a mark of regeneration. God has given no promises to such.
3. God is a special Savior to those who believe in Christ. Believers have promises that cannot fail, so Christ is a “special” savior of those who believe. He also delivers them from death and hell and all the power of the devil, which he has not promised to all men.
C. He is my God, I will prepare him an habitation; my Father’s God, and I will exalt him. There is so much here:
{Note. The main reasons that "I will prepare him an habitation" is translated "I will praise him" are 1, it was so translated by ancient translators; 2, it is alleged that Moses could have had no idea at this time of building the tabernacle. The main reason for retaining the Authorized here is that is what the Hebrews says. Hilphel means causation, and the word is dwell; so "I will cause him to dwell." The Song is future tense; it is prophesy, and Moses spoke under inspiration.)
1. God brought them unto Himself. He bought them with the blood of the firstborn, and now He embraces them.
2. God must have his temple among men. Israel will prepare Him a habitation. Eph. 2:14-22
a) In Christ peace is made between Israel and the Gentiles vs. 14
b) The law of Moses is passed away vs. 15
c) Our access is through the Spirit unto the one God. Both Jew and Gentile. 16-18
d) The household of God is both Jew and Gentile, made one in Christ. Vs. 19. The remnant of Israel is being gathered even now, but there will be a great turning to Christ in the last day.
e) The church is the present habitation of God: 20-21. Solomon recognized this even at the dedication of the first temple. 2Ch 6:18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!
f) The answer to Solomon’s question: 1Pet. 2:1-12.
D. God is a man of war.
1. Jesus confirmed this: Matt. 10:16 ff. Be prepared!!! There may be dark days ahead for the church.
2. The LORD, Jehovah, the ground of all being. I am that I am. That is His name. I will leave you with this.
3. The ground of all being: Matthew 7:12-29
a) Good works do not guarantee eternal life.
b) Therefore, build upon Jesus Christ, His Person and His doctrine. All else is nothingness—shifting sand.
Amen and Amen
God bless you.