After the opening of the sea and Israel’s salvation from the enemy, both Moses and the people were so overwhelmed, and here, using the highest and greatest words in the Hebrew vocabulary the man Moses composed this great song where the Lord is magnified. This is a song of thanksgiving but also one that is prophetic and timeless like the Ner Tamid, that eternal flame that was lit, in the Menorah, at the Temple. This flame still burns through the Word of God. The song itself brings us back to the events of the miracle at the sea, using such powerful poetic language.
First, we examine the use of God’s name. We have already seen that within just 18 verses, His name is mentioned some 30 times in different forms. Along with these names, we see His many different qualifications:
The Song says that He is: Vs.1 Highly Exalted, Vs.6 Majestic in Power. He is addressed in Vs.7 as the Greatness of Your excellence. He is, in Vs.11 Majestic in Holiness and Awesome in Praises. This poem is filled with gratitude to God.
As for the actions He takes during the Israelite crossing, one has noticed that we have here a genuine glossary and account of a military victory. Not only did He close the sea over the Egyptian army, but we read in vs.1 that He hurled it into the sea. The Hebrew for hurled, ramah means to throw upward in the air, as a child playing with his toys. In vs.4, He not only engulfed Pharaoh’s chariots and his army in the sea, He cast them into the sea. The Hebrew for cast, larom means to throw downward with great force. The Tagum translates this word as shooting, as one shoots an arrow. In vs. 6 we read that He shatters the enemy. This is like taking a brittle object and breaking it into pieces.
And along these descriptions, words are used that bring us to consider eternity and even hell. In vs.5 we read that the deep covers them and that they went down into the depths like a stone. The deep, tehom, speaks of deep darkness, like the darkness that covered the earth at the beginning of the Genesis account. And then we have the word depth, mezola, from zulah which is used to describe the abyss (Gesinius).
And the power with which He executed all these things could be seen in the word used in vs.8 when He divided the sea: we read that the waters stood up like a heap. The word heap: נֵד (nēd) in Hebrew is from the root נדד nadab meaning to flee, or when one is banished or excommunicated.
The idea of God’s great superiority is so needed these days especially when we see so much evil seemingly going unpunished, events that remain without justice or retribution. The Scriptures however, assure us that it is only temporary. God with all this might, is coming back to make all things right.
Notice as well the irony in some of these descriptions used, for example, congealed found in vs.8.The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea. This was to describe how the sea floor became solid so the people could easily walk on it. This word in Hebrew congealed קָפָא (qāphāʾ) describes the process of milk turning to cheese (Job10:10). Imagine walking on cheese; it must have been comfortable.
Another word, is found in vs.7, He overthrows those who rise up against Him. This might be a bit exaggerated, but I wanted to share something with you. Anyone knowing a little Arabic and reading this Hebrew word will surely smile. The word overthrow is the Hebrew הָרַס (hāras) meaning to crush, to break into pieces from where the word הֲרִיסָה (hărîsâ) came. Harissa, for many of you middle eastern cuisine enthusiasts, is an Arabic word describing a hot sauce, well known in North Africa from Libya to Morrocco. So, reading this, it is like He made harissa out of the enemy of Israel.
For the believer, this poem brings out God’s identity even more. Who is our God? We are told in vs.2 the Lord is: my Strength, my Song, my Salvation, my God, my father’s God. Each of these five attributes has a story to tell us about our Creator. The result at the end is: I will praise and extol Him. Let’s look at these attributes.
He is My Strength; this word is used in the sense of God being my refuge, my protection. It is a strength that we have in Him. This is like when Paul says; but when I am weak, then I am strong 2Cor. 12:10. This word strength in Hebrew, עֹז ( ʿrōz) is used many times in the Psalms where David speaks of his strength in the Lord and not in his army. He says in Psalm 21:1, O Lord, in Your strength the king will be glad. This song also brings out God as the Shepherd, to those who follow Him. Exodus 15:13 reads, In Your lovingkindness You have led the people whom You have redeemed; In Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation. See the process: He leads, He redeems, He guides.
This is what happened to Israel, He led them to Egypt. There He redeemed them at Passover and then He guided them out of Egypt. The word guide is one attributed to a shepherd. It means to pasture, to lead with care. And see the last word: see where He leads us all: into His holy habitation. This is the promise of heaven. The Shepherd leads His flock home. So, the believer has been led, and redeemed, and he or she is being shepherded into heaven which is God’s habitation.
And this promise of heaven is reaffirmed toward the end of the song in vs.17,“You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, The place, O Lord, which You have made for Your dwelling, The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established”. The mountain of His inheritance could be Jerusalem here on earth or the New Jerusalem up in heaven, the other name of heaven which He calls here His dwelling, the Sanctuary.
Notice what he says at the end: With His own hands has made this, the very same thing we read in Hebrews 11:10 where we learn that heaven is a city whose architect and builder is God. Putting the two verses together we have here, for the believer today, our eternal abode. Heaven is: His habitation, the mountain of His inheritance, the place He has made for His dwellings, the Sanctuary He has made. Anyone who doubts his or her salvation should realize that all of these things begin with the words: You will bring them and plant them. Where? There in heaven. This is a solid promise. These are very precious words of encouragement for us. Heaven is our destiny.
Click Here for the Teaching: Exodus Sermon 14: Sweet Song of Deliverance