You Can Read the Bible

Our reading for today is Exodus chapter 15.

“Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD…” This song is the first recorded in Scripture, an honor matching the events it celebrates. It completes a triangle that closes out the first dramatic Act of Exodus. There was a promise of salvation; then the event – events: plagues and Passover and Red Sea; now comes the memorial, cementing the promise and its fulfillment for all time.

The phrase “and the people of Israel” gets my attention here. It’s easy to imagine this composition as a community activity, with a refrain such as “Sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously!” bridging to the next line. And there is more than praise and thanksgiving here; there is anticipation: Philistia, Edom, and Canaan should be worried. “The LORD will reign forever and ever.”

And then the narrative returns, just as quickly as it had been broken. A parched wilderness greeted Israel. Tens of thousands of people with all their animals could not camp where there was no water; nor could they journey for long without it. Every step, it appears, would require the LORD’s hand.

That’s why I want to read Exodus 15 again!

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You Can Read the Bible is supported by Bellefield Presbyterian Church and blessed with its wonderful volunteers, including: Dave Moore, Jose David Aguilar Posada, Meagan Carter, Fiona Carter, Tanya Carter, Greg Burdette, Madeline Kulp, Andie Young, Justin Ray, Gary Liberati, Maureen Hinchman, Ken MacLeod, John Dolan, Roberto Cantillo, Charlei George, Josh Brown, Jeanne Griffith, Zachary Fritts, Dan Hinchman, Sophia Young, Lynette MacLeod, Gladys Cantillo, Grace Watson, Marianne Seah, Ian MacLeod, Liz Zimmerman, August Hall, Paza Boyd, Kristin Horner, Daniel Young, Paul Griffoen, Ben Moore, Meredith Carter, Bob Willson, Rosie Wagoner, Nick Bersin, Rhonda Hall, Helen Dolby, Emily Moore, Rick Zimmerman, Matt Jones, Kiana Jones, Jane Carter, Marilyn Long, Renee Hairston, Heather Weaver, Carol Williams, Anita Woolley, Andrew Thorpe, Emily Wenz, Matt Carter, and many others.

A special note of thanks to Dave Moore, the Moore family, Maureen Hinchman, the Hinchman family, Jose Posada, the Posada family, and to the Carter family. This would not have happened without your unwavering efforts, sacrifice, and support! Thank you!

We provide You Can Read the Bible in all of its many forms and formats as a ministry service to grow disciples within the church universal. This is not a substitute for your local church community, but it could be a resource to use within your local church and for you personally.