The Song of Moses and Miriam
Exodus 15:1-21 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. It begins with Moses and the Israelites singing, I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea (Exodus 15:1). This song celebrates God's victory over the Egyptians and His power and majesty.

God as a Warrior
The passage portrays God as a warrior who fights for His people. The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name (Exodus 15:3). This imagery emphasizes God's strength and His role as protector and deliverer.

God's Faithfulness and Guidance
The song recounts God's faithfulness in leading His people. In Your loving devotion You will lead the people You have redeemed; in Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling (Exodus 15:13). It highlights God's commitment to His covenant and His guidance towards the Promised Land.

The Response of the Nations
The song also anticipates the fear and awe that will grip the surrounding nations as they hear of God's mighty acts. The peoples will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia (Exodus 15:14). This underscores the far-reaching impact of God's deliverance.Praise in Response to Deliverance
Just as the Israelites responded to God's deliverance with song, we too should cultivate a heart of praise and gratitude for the ways God has worked in our lives.

Trust in God's Protection
Recognize God as our warrior and protector. In times of trouble, we can trust in His strength and His ability to deliver us from our adversaries.

Confidence in God's Guidance
Trust in God's faithful guidance as we journey through life. He leads us with loving devotion and strength, just as He led the Israelites.

Witness to God's Power
Be aware of how our testimonies of God's deliverance can impact those around us, drawing them to a recognition of His power and majesty.1. Moses
Moses is the leader of the Israelites and the primary figure in the Song of Moses. He leads the people in singing praises to the LORD for their deliverance. The Hebrew name "מֹשֶׁה" (Moshe) is derived from the root meaning "to draw out," reflecting his being drawn out of the Nile as a baby.

2. Miriam
Miriam is identified as the prophetess and sister of Aaron. She leads the women in dance and song with tambourines, echoing the triumph over the Egyptians. Her Hebrew name "מִרְיָם" (Miryam) is associated with bitterness or rebellion, though her role here is celebratory.

3. Pharaoh
Pharaoh is the king of Egypt, whose army is drowned in the Red Sea. The Hebrew term "פַּרְעֹה" (Par'oh) is a title for the Egyptian monarch, not a personal name.1. Red Sea
The Red Sea is the body of water that the Israelites crossed miraculously as they fled from the Egyptians. In Exodus 15, the Song of Moses celebrates this miraculous event. The Hebrew term used is "יַם-סוּף" (Yam Suph), which is often translated as "Sea of Reeds" or "Red Sea."

2. Marah
Marah is the place where the Israelites arrived after crossing the Red Sea. The waters at Marah were bitter, and the people complained. Moses, following God's instruction, threw a piece of wood into the water, making it sweet and drinkable. The name "Marah" comes from the Hebrew word "מָרָה" (Marah), meaning "bitter."

3. Elim
Elim is described as an oasis where the Israelites camped after leaving Marah. It is noted for having twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, providing a place of rest and refreshment for the Israelites. The name "Elim" is derived from the Hebrew "אֵילִם" (Elim), which can mean "terebinths" or "large trees."1. The Song of Moses and the Israelites
The chapter begins with Moses and the Israelites singing a song to the LORD, celebrating their deliverance from Egypt. The song praises God for His triumph over the Egyptians, particularly highlighting the destruction of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea. The Hebrew word "שִׁיר" (shir) is used for "song," indicating a lyrical composition of praise (Exodus 15:1-18).

2. Miriam's Song and Dance
Miriam, the prophetess and sister of Aaron, takes a tambourine and leads the women in dance and song, echoing the themes of Moses' song. The Hebrew term "נְבִיאָה" (nevi'ah) is used for "prophetess," underscoring her role as a spiritual leader (Exodus 15:20-21).

3. Journey to Marah
The Israelites travel from the Red Sea into the Desert of Shur. After three days without finding water, they arrive at Marah, where the water is bitter and undrinkable. The Hebrew word "מָרָה" (marah) means "bitter," reflecting the nature of the water and the people's discontent (Exodus 15:22-23).

4. The LORD Heals the Waters
The people grumble against Moses, and he cries out to the LORD. God shows Moses a piece of wood, which he throws into the water, making it sweet and drinkable. This event is a test of faith and obedience, with the Hebrew word "נִסָּה" (nissah) meaning "tested" (Exodus 15:24-25).

5. God's Promise and Statute
At Marah, God makes a statute and ordinance for the people, promising that if they listen to His voice and keep His commandments, He will not bring upon them the diseases He brought on the Egyptians. The Hebrew word "חֹק" (choq) is used for "statute," indicating a decree or law (Exodus 15:25-26).

6. Arrival at Elim
The Israelites then travel to Elim, where they find twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, providing a place of rest and refreshment. The numbers twelve and seventy may symbolize completeness and abundance, reflecting God's provision (Exodus 15:27).Psalm 118:14
The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. This verse echoes the themes of praise and deliverance found in Exodus 15.

Revelation 15:3-4
The Song of Moses is referenced in the New Testament, where the redeemed sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, celebrating God's righteous acts.

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. This verse reinforces the themes of trust and praise. Thanksgiving for Deliverance
Thank God for the specific ways He has delivered you from difficult situations and for His ongoing protection.
Praise for God's Strength
Praise God for His strength and might, acknowledging Him as the warrior who fights on your behalf.
Guidance and Trust
Pray for trust in God's guidance and for the wisdom to follow His leading in your life.
Impactful Testimony
Ask God to use your testimony of His deliverance to impact others and draw them closer to Him.

1. How does the Israelites' song of praise reveal their perception of God?

2. What does Miriam's role in this chapter say about the role of women in faith and community?

3. Compare the attitudes of the Israelites after their escape and at Marah. What led to this shift, and what can we learn from it?

4. How did God respond to the grumbling of the Israelites? What does this teach us about His character?

5. How can we apply the principle of trust and obedience demonstrated in this chapter in our own lives?

6. Why do you think God chose to use a log to sweeten the water? What symbolism can you infer from this act?

7. Can you identify instances in your life where you've seen God turn 'bitter water into sweet'?

8. How can we cultivate an attitude of praise and worship during difficult times?

9. How does God's promise of healing and protection in verse 26 apply to us today?

10. How can this chapter guide us in our response to challenging circumstances?

11. How can the journey of the Israelites encourage us in our own spiritual journey?

12. What can we learn from Moses' leadership throughout these events?

13. In the context of today's world, what diseases (physical, spiritual, or societal) do you think obedience to God's commands could prevent?

14. What are some modern-day 'bitter waters' that you believe need God's intervention?

15. How can we practice active trust in God's guidance when we are in 'the desert' of our lives?

16. In what ways can we express our faith and exalt God, similar to the Israelites' song?

17. How can the story of Marah be seen as a test of faith?

18. How does the promise at Elim contrast with the experience at Marah, and what does this tell us about God's promises?

19. How does the chapter's ending, with the Israelites finding rest and provision at Elim, encourage you about God's ultimate plans for your life?

20. How can we, as Christians today, carry the message of this chapter to the world around us?