Exodus. Praise the Lord Chapter 15:1-21

Transcription

1 Exodus Praise the Lord Chapter 15:1-21 A few years ago the Chicago Tribune reported the story of a New Mexico woman who was frying tortillas when she noticed that the skillet burns on one of her tortillas resembled the face of Jesus. Excited, she showed it to her husband and neighbors, and they all agreed that there was a face etched on the tortilla and that it truly bore a resemblance to Jesus. So the woman went to her priest to have the tortilla blessed. She testified that the tortilla had changed her life, and her husband agreed that she had been a more peaceful, happy, submissive wife since the tortilla had arrived. The priest, not accustomed to blessing tortillas, was somewhat reluctant but agreed to do it. The woman took the tortilla home, put it in a glass case with piles of cotton to make it look like it was floating on clouds, built a special altar for it, and opened the little shrine to visitors. Within a few months, more than eight thousand people came to the shrine of the Jesus of the Tortilla, and all of them agreed that the face in the burn marks on the tortilla was the face of Jesus (except for one reporter who said he thought it looked like former heavy-weight boxing champion Leon Spinks). It seems incredible that so many people would worship a tortilla, but such a distorted concept of worship is not really unusual in contemporary society. 1 A Working Definition No definition is final, so accept this one for the time being, and we can refine it as we can go along: Worship is the believer s response of all that he is mind, emotions, will, and body to all that God is and says and does. This response has its mystical side in subjective experience, and its practical side in objective obedience to God s revealed truth. It is a loving response that is balanced by the fear of the Lord, and it is a deepening response as the believer comes to know God better. 2 XI Crossing the Red Sea ~ Part 2 Chapter 15 A. The Song of Moses Verses 1-19 B. The Song of Miriam Verses Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed John 20:29 ESV Introduction: We are moving into a transitionary stage. Last time we finally saw the Red Sea part. Then we saw the Israelites safe on the other side. The Egyptian army was dead. This is one of the major miracles found in the Old Testament. God demonstrated to Egypt, Israel, and, as we will see later, many other nations in the area, that He was God and was the One who was leading the Children of Israel. As one might expect, the effect on the people was awe, fear and a willingness to follow Him and His servant Moses. 1 MacArthur, John, The Ultimate Priority On Worship, Moody Press, Chicago, IL, 1983, p Wiersbe, Warren W., Real Worship, Oliver-Nelson, Nashville, TN, 1986, p. 27.

2 The important thing to remember here is that the Lord was prepared to lead Israel to the Promised Land, to Canaan. He wasn t there just to work miracles and pull their fat out of the fire. He was going to lead them on a day-to-day basis in the practical things of life. This is the kind of relationship we can have with Him, for He also wants to lead us in our walk, that is, if we are just willing to wait on Him. A. The Song of Moses: Now it should be that the natural result of God s working in our lives is the desire and need to praise Him. It is certainly the case for Moses who sang along with the sons of Israel a song of praise to the Lord. But before we look at Moses song I want to try something different. Take your handout and note on it what things the Lord has done in your life that should generate a desire to praise Him. (By the way, you won t have to turn them in.) In a second column, note down different ways that we can then offer up praise. Those listening to the podcast should also join us in this exercise. Now, let s look at what Moses says here and see if that gives us any additional ideas we can add to our list after we finish the passage. First, we must note the song is to the Lord. It is not for the singers benefit, though they do. When you think about singing in corporate worship do you consider that we are singing to the Lord, not simply to ourselves as part of the service? How should this affect the quality of worship? Moses was praising the Lord because of His glorious triumph in overthrowing the army of Egypt. The Lord was the source of all strength as one might expect, but Moses noted the Lord was his song. Do you think that this means that God s work is the inspiration, the song s content or that the LORD s Spirit was the song s source? With these two statements Moses is making it clear that first, God is the one who provided victory. Moses can claim no self-glorification. And second, God s work is the inspiration for the subject song. The result is God being both the source of strength and song. He is the source of salvation. The Lord led the people through the sea. He saved them. The Lord is the source of our Salvation, for Christ has led us out of death into life. For if, because of one man s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:17-21 ESV). Moses praised the Lord for who He is and what He had done. There is also the sense of continuity, for Moses praised the God who was also God of His fathers. There is a feeling of security in the fact many have served the Lord before us and we are continuing a relationship that has proven itself with the test of time. ) 126 (

3 God is described here as a warrior. We don t normally think of God in this context, but if we are fighting a spiritual battle and the Lord is the source of our strength and armor, then isn t He functioning as a Warrior? Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:11-13 ESV). How does the thought of God as a warrior affect the way you think of Him and of your relationship to Him? Moses then goes on to give the details for the reason for his song: the destruction of Pharaoh s army. The chariots, the army and all the best officers have gone down into the sea. God did this through His own power,sourced in His excellence and anger. God brought judgment on those who rebelled against Him. God has always functioned in this way and always will. This is the response to those who say God is a God of love. He always forgives man. He won t judge anyone. Not much He won t! The Lord demands obedience. Once again remember Christ said, I am the way, no man comes to the Father except through me. The waters of the Red Sea were simply the instruments of God s wrath. While pride caused the Egyptians to come after Israel, He was simply leading them to the just destruction their hearts deserved. So through verse 12 Moses recounts Egypt s fall and gives God the glory for what He had done and who He is. By the way, do you have any thoughts on how looking at the wrath of God makes you feel? Moses focused more on Pharaoh s fall then God s leading the people through the Sea. But he does praise Him for this in verse 13. It was God s strength that led them through the sea. There were really two parts to this miracle, the leading of Israel through the sea and then destroying the Egyptian army as it followed. Let me give you some other references regarding the Hebrew Childrens passage through the sea. For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-2 ESV). For the Israelite, passing through the sea was his baptism, that is his identification with Moses. Prior to crossing they were asking, why did you bring us out here to die? now they are praising the Lord with him. This doesn t mean things will be all peaches and cream from now on, but they are now one people in the Lord. ) 127 (

4 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned (Hebrews 11:29 ESV). Even here the basis for Israel s salvation was faith. Don t you think it took faith to pass through walls of water even with Pharaoh s armies behind them? Dr. McGee notes: It was by faith that the Israelites crossed the sea. Whose faith was it? It was not the faith of the children of Israel because they did not have any until they crossed over the sea. They were identified with Moses. It was Moses faith. It was Moses who smote the Red Sea. It was Moses who led them across. When they reached the other side of the sea, it was Moses who lifted the song of deliverance. Now they have seen the salvation of God. They are identified with Moses. They have been baptized unto Moses. 3 The logical conclusion then is that we too are baptized as a sign God has saved us. We are identified with Christ s death and resurrection. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body Jews or Greeks, slaves or free and all were made to drink of one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13 ESV). Just as the Israelite s baptism was a sign God had saved him, for us it is a sign God has saved us. It is a public statement that God is the source of our salvation. Some teach one must be baptized to be saved. How would you respond to someone saying this to you? There were coming times when the people would continue to wonder what they were doing in the wilderness, continue to sin and continue to doubt they were still God s people and standing before the world for Him. There are often times as believers when we fall down as God s ambassadors. But this doesn t change our status. Nothing can change that; once saved, never lost. Verse 13 also seems to be prophetic in nature for it talks about the Lord leading them into the promised land and that is still some time in the future. Keep in mind though, that from Moses point of view God promised to lead them to Canaan and so the fact it hadn t occurred yet is simply a technicality. The thought of the future, clearly prophetic, presents the Canaanites reaction to God s judgment on the Egyptians. As soon as all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel (Joshua 5:1 ESV). The reaction was one of fear and recognition of God s power. It was a warning to all that God would allow nothing to interfere with Israel s entrance into the land. He was their God and their protection. 3 McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Volume 1, Genesis - Deuteronomy, Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville, TN 1981, p ) 128 (

5 Verse 17 shows us that Moses was really looking toward the day when the Lord would bring them to their home and makes a secure place for them. Moses ends with speaking of the security which comes with the knowledge that God is eternal. Moses, having completed his song, reminds us why He was praising God. It was first, because God destroyed Pharaoh s army. And second, for God leading Israel through the sea on dry ground. And, as it says in the Seder, if the Lord, blessed be His name, had simply led the people through the sea and saving them from Pharaoh, it would have been sufficient. That we might be grateful for all the Lord has done for us recognizes that, if He never did another thing, it would be sufficient. B. The Song of Miriam: Moses and the men have sung and praised the Lord for His mercies, His salvation and His judgment on the Egyptians. Now Miriam, the older sister of Moses leads the women in response to the men s song. The response praise is celebrated by singing, dancing and playing of timbrels (probably tambourines). And so the praise, the music and the dance becomes the celebration of the entire nation. The joy of worship is enhanced by its corporate nature. For just as all were saved, so all rejoice in that salvation and God s workings for their blessing. Now we are called to personal as well as corporate worship. I think we have all probably experienced the sense of joy and God s nearness which comes in the corporate situation. This isn t limited to just the Worship Service though. It can/should occur whenever believers are together sharing the Lord with one another. Okay now lets go back and look at our list. Have you thought of any other things for which we can praise the Lord? What about any other ways we can praise Him? What do you think praise means anyway? 1. to commend the worth of. 2. to glorify (God, etc.), as in song. Are there any ways that you can praise the Lord during the coming week? Let s check back next week and see if concentrating on praising the Lord has made any difference in the quality of our week. As I have said before as part of the priesthood of believers part of the sacrifice we are called to perform is the sacrifice of praise. I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! (Psalms 22:22-23 ESV). And from the throne came a voice saying, Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great (Revelation 19:5 ESV). ) 129 (

6 Exodus Praise the Lord Chapter 15:1-21 XI Crossing the Red Sea ~ Part 2 Chapter 15 A. The Song of Moses Verses 1-19 B. The Song of Miriam Verses Introduction: (John 20:29) A. The Song of Moses: (Romans 5:17-21; Ephesians 6:11-13; 1 Corinthians 10:1-2; Hebrews 11:29; 1 Corinthians 12:13)

7 Reasons for Praise Ways to Praise ) 2 (

8 Verse 13 (Joshua 5:1) Verse 17 B. The Song of Miriam: (Psalm 22:22-23; Revelation 19:5) ) 3 (