meddle to their own hurt. Moses was ordered to stretch out his hand over the sea; the waters returned,
and overwhelmed all the host of the Egyptians. Pharaoh and his servants, who had hardened one
another in sin, now fell together, not one escaped. The Israelites saw the Egyptians dead upon the
sands. The sight very much affected them. While men see God's works, and feel the benefit, they
fear him and trust in him. How well were it for us, if we were always in as good a frame as
sometimes! Behold the end to which a Christian may look forward. His enemies rage, and are
mighty; but while he holds fast by God, he shall pass the waves in safety guarded by that very
power of his Saviour, which shall come down on every spiritual foe. The enemies of his soul whom
he hath seen to-day, he shall see no more for ever.
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
The song of Moses for the deliverance of (1–21)
Israel.
The bitter waters at Marah, The Israelites (22–27)
come to Elim.Verses 1–21
This song is the most ancient we know of. It is a holy song, to the honour of God, to exalt his
name, and celebrate his praise, and his only, not in the least to magnify any man. Holiness to the
Lord is in every part of it. It may be considered as typical, and prophetical of the final destruction
of the enemies of the church. Happy the people whose God is the Lord. They have work to do,
temptations to grapple with, and afflictions to bear, and are weak in themselves; but his grace is
their strength. They are often in sorrow, but in him they have comfort; he is their song. Sin, and
death, and hell threaten them, but he is, and will be their salvation. The Lord is a God of almighty
power, and woe to those that strive with their Maker! He is a God of matchless perfection; he is
glorious in holiness; his holiness is his glory. His holiness appears in the hatred of sin, and his wrath
against obstinate sinners. It appears in the deliverance of Israel, and his faithfulness to his own
promise. He is fearful in praises; that which is matter of praise to the servants of God, is very
dreadful to his enemies. He is doing wonders, things out of the common course of nature; wondrous
to those in whose favour they are wrought, who are so unworthy, that they had no reason to expect
them. There were wonders of power and wonders of grace; in both, God was to be humbly adored.
Verses 22–27
In the wilderness of Shur the Israelites had no water. At Marah they had water, but it was bitter;
so that they could not drink it. God can make bitter to us that from which we promise ourselves
most, and often does so in the wilderness of this world, that our wants, and disappointments in the
creature, may drive us to the Creator, in whose favour alone true comfort is to be had. In this distress