Exodus 13 – Exodus 15

Did you notice the parallels that take place before and after the events of the Exodus? For Egypt, every first born dies. For Israel, every first born must be consecrated. New life, redeemed life, freel life is soon at hand, but before that happens all the first born of Israel is to be set apart, designated as a gift to God. Children, livestock, even servant animals, all must be blessed/consecrated as a reminder of the great things that God has done in redeeming the nation of Israel.

From there, we move to the Red Sea where freedom is found as the waters are parted, and the people of Israel walk on dry ground to the other side. As they do, Pharaoh and his army give chase, only to find themselves stuck in the mucky sea bottom drowned as the sea waters returned.

Finally, victory is at hand, and what a better way to response than in song. I always knew that Miriam would sing and dance, but I was pleasantly surprised to read Moses’ song of thanksgiving in chapter 15.

“I will sing to the LORD, for his si highly exalted.
Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my defense;
for he has become my salvation.
He is my god, and I will praise him,
my father’s God and I will exalt him.”
Exodus 15:1-2

Even while victory is a hand, did you notice one other thing? What do the people do? They begin to complain. “What are we to drink?” “What have you done to us?” “Why did you bring us here?” The people that Moses has worked so hard to save, the people God has guided into freedom, never seem content with what is before them. I suppose we better get used to it, we are going to hear a lot more complaints before anything gets better. You’ll see what I mean, as we venture further in our reading.

Now on to Exodus 16 – 18.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey