Slices
Prepare
Use any favourite hymn or song to praise the Lord as you come into his presence today.
Bible passage
The song of Moses and Miriam
15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
‘I will sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.
2 ‘The Lord is my strength and my defence;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3 The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh’s officers
are drowned in the Red Sea.
5 The deep waters have covered them;
they sank to the depths like a stone.
6 Your right hand, Lord,
was majestic in power.
Your right hand, Lord,
shattered the enemy.
7 ‘In the greatness of your majesty
you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger;
it consumed them like stubble.
8 By the blast of your nostrils
the waters piled up.
The surging waters stood up like a wall;
the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy boasted,
“I will pursue, I will overtake them.
I will divide the spoils;
I will gorge myself on them.
I will draw my sword
and my hand will destroy them.”
10 But you blew with your breath,
and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead
in the mighty waters.
11 Who among the gods
is like you, Lord?
Who is like you –
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?
12 ‘You stretch out your right hand,
and the earth swallows your enemies.
13 In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
14 The nations will hear and tremble;
anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,
the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling,
the people of Canaan will melt away;
16 terror and dread will fall on them.
By the power of your arm
they will be as still as a stone –
until your people pass by, Lord,
until the people you bought pass by.
17 You will bring them in and plant them
on the mountain of your inheritance –
the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling,
the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.
18 ‘The Lord reigns
for ever and ever.’
19 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. 20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them:
‘Sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.’
Explore
This passage can be considered as the first psalm in the Bible. It repeats in poetic form the events the Israelites have just been through. It celebrates the total triumph of God over their enemy (vs 1–12). It looks ahead to other surrounding nations feeling subdued because of this and leaving them alone (vs 14–16) and prophesies what God will do in settling and establishing the people (vs 13,17).
The emotion of the occasion is evident in the singing and dancing, in which both men and women take the lead. It’s an exuberant outpouring of joy and praise that places God at the centre of all that has happened. He is the one who has accomplished the victory, and verse 11 rightly says that no other god is like their God or can do what their God can.
Who wouldn’t be emotional after all they have experienced? If we think of the rollercoaster of tension and fear, anticipation, excitement and relief, and further back through all the years of oppression, it’s not surprising that, now they are finally free, their feelings explode into this celebration of God, his character and his works.
Respond
When life is good, praise flows; when it’s hard, praise can be difficult. Whatever your circumstances are, focus on the Lord and what he has done in your life. God is always worthy of our praise.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 25,26; John 10
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Mission Enabler Lucy Pearson as she pilots sporty Rooted in the north east, using the skills explored in sport and games to initiate conversations about life and faith. Pray for the young people involved and for more sporty Rooted sessions to ripple out nationally.
