Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/315

Rh with Moses, nor talk of returning to Egypt. They were now baptized unto Moses in the sea, 1 Cor. 10. 2. This great work which God wrought for them by the ministry of Moses, bound them effectually to follow his directions, under God. This confirmed their faith in the promises that were yet to be fulfilled; and, being brought thus triumphantly out of Egypt, they did not doubt that they should be in Canaan shortly, having such a God to trust to, and such a mediator between them and him. O that there had been such a heart in them as now there seemed to be! Sensible mercies, when they are fresh, make sensible impressions; but with many, these impressions soon wear off: while they see God's' works, and feel the benefit of them, they fear him and trust in him; but they soon forget his works, and then they slight him. How well were it for us, if we were always in as good a frame as we are in sometimes!

CHAP. XV. In this chapter, I. Israel looks back upon Egypt with a song of praise for their deliverance. Here is, 1. The song itself, v. 1..19. 2. The solemn singing of it, v. 20, 21. II. Israel marches forward in the wilderness, (v. 22.) and there, 1. Their discontent at the waters of Marah, (v. 23, 24.) and the relief granted them, v. 25, 26. 2. Their satisfaction in the waters of Elim, v. 27.

HEN sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2. The is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. 3. The is a man of war: the  is his name. 4. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea. 5. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. 6. Thy right hand, O, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O , hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7. And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. 8. And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together: the floods stood upright as a heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. 9. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. 10. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them; they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 11. Who is like unto thee, O, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 12. Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. 13. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 14. The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. 15. Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them: all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16. Fear and dread shall fall upon them: by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O, till the people pass over which thou hast purchased. 17. Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in; in the sanctuary, O , which thy hands have established. 18. The shall reign for ever and ever. 19. For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the brought again the waters of the sea upon them: but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. 20, And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the, for he hath triumphed gloriously, the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Having read how that complete victory of Israel over the Egyptians was obtained, here we are told how it was celebrated; they that were to hold their peace while the deliverance was in working, (ch. 14. 14.) must not hold their peace now that it was wrought: the less they had to do then, the more they had to do now; if God accomplishes deliverance by his own immediate power, it redounds so much the more to his glory. Moses, no doubt, by divine inspiration, indited this song, and delivered it to the children of Israel, to be sung before they stirred from the place where they saw the Egyptians dead upon the shore. Observe, 1. They expressed their joy in God, and thankfulness to him, by singing; it is almost natural to us thus to give vent to our joy, and the exultations of our spirit. By this instance it appears, that the singing of psalms, as an act of religious worship, was used in the church of Christ before the giving the ceremonial law, therefore was no part of it, nor abolished with it; singing is as much the language of holy joy, as praying is of holy desire. 2. Moses, who had gone before them through the sea, goes before them in the song, and composes it for them. Note, Those that are active in public services, should not be neuters in public praises. 3. When the mercy was fresh, and they were much affected with it, then they sang this song. Note, When we have received special mercy from God, we ought to be quick and speedy in our returns of praise to him, before time and the deceitfulness of our own hearts efface the good impressions that have been made. David sang his triumphant song in the day that the Lord delivered him, 2 Sam. 22. 1. Bis dat, qui cito dat—He gives twice, who gives quickly. 4. When they believed the Lord, (ch. 14. 31.) then they sang this song: it was a song of faith; this connexion is