Exodus 15:1-21

Ex 15:1-21

1. What is the context of the passage?

Israel rejoices after having crossed the Red Sea miraculously as they fled the Egyptian army with Pharaoh as their head. The latter and his whole army, horses, and chariots were all drowned. So, Moses and the Israelites sang to the Lord, rejoicing in their triumph over their enemies, unto the praise, honor, and glory of the Lord God (vv. 1-18). Then, Miriam, Moses and Aaron’s sister responded through leading the Israelite women in another song of praise unto the Lord (vv.  20-21).

2. What kind of literature (genre) is this?

Poetry song

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The structure of the song contains four stanzas (vv. 1-5; 6-10; 11-13; and 14-17) and a final line closing proclamation (v. 18), which sums up the victory of the Israelites over the Egyptians: The Lord reigns!

3. Where else in the Bible is this passage mentioned?

Psalm 78:13

Psalm 78 was written to teach the children of Israel how God had been so gracious to them in the past despite their ancestors’ rebellion and lack of gratitude. The Psalmist focuses on the Exodus history.

The verse 13 talks about the parting of the Red Sea allowing the Israelites to flee from the Egyptian armies. The OT saints considered this miracle as the most spectacular one in their history.

4. Verses 1-18: How would we divide this passage into sections or paragraphs?

The passage can be divided into four stanzas (vv. 1-5; 6-10; 11-13; and 14-17) and a final one-line closing proclamation (v. 18), which sums up the victory of the Israelites over the Egyptians: The Lord reigns!

Stanzas one and two close with “They sank…” (vv. 5 and 10), emphasizing the totality of the enemies’ defeat. Stanzas three and four end with God’s Holy Sanctuary (vv.13 and 17).

Stanza one introduces God’s mighty victory (vv. 1-5).

Stanza two further elaborates on that overwhelming victory and then shows how arrogant and evil were the enemies (vv. 6-10).

Stanza three asks a relevant question and then summarizes the victory (vv. 11-13).

Stanza four affirms the fear and dread of the enemies as they hear of how the Lord leads and guides His people towards their divine destiny (vv. 14-17).

5. What does this passage say about God?

God rules and reigns absolutely over His people and all nations. He is the sovereign King of kings and Lord of lords.

6. What is the function of v.19?

V. 19 is a narrative interlude which acts as a reminder of the theme behind the song and opens the way for the very spirited response of Miriam the prophetess and the women.

7. What is the significance of vv20-21?

Miriam was the very first woman to be given the title of prophetess. She did play a significant role in this amazing miraculous rescue as the prophet Micah declared in Micah 6:4. This very rare honor to a woman was also given to Deborah (Judg. 4:4); Huldah (2 Kin. 22:14); Isaiah’s wife (Is. 8:3); Anna (Luke 2:36); and Philip’s four daughters (Acts 21:9).

8. What is the overall point of the passage?

The overall point of the passage is beautifully summed up in v 18, “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”

The Lord shall reign forever and ever no matter what any person or nation does or try to do against Him. His sovereign plan and purpose for His elect shall be accomplished in His perfect will and time.

9. How would we apply this passage today?

We, born-again Christians do not have to fear about the future no matter what we hear or see around us. We may not know what the future holds but we do know who holds the future. It is Our Lord God. We just have to trust and obey Him through His Holy Word at all times.