Seder 56: Echoes of Exodus 15 Throughout the Bible

The Song of the Sea in Exodus 15:1-18, inspired by the miraculous rescue of the Israelites at the Red Sea, is the Bible's first song of praise to God.  The song focuses on God as the only one who brings salvation and carries out judgment. Its major themes include

• God's mighty works on behalf of his people, carried out by his powerful "right hand".(vv 6,12).
• God's control over the forces of nature (vv 7-10).
• God's uniqueness and incomparability (v 11)
• God's position as eternal ruler over all the earth (v 18)

In addition to recounting the Red Sea rescue and defeat of Pharaoh's chariots, the song takes a prophetic look ahead to future events.  Over the next 40 years, many people in the region would remember what God had done and would tremble in fear (v 14).  The Israelites would "pass by" (v 16) once again, walking across the Jordan River on dry ground.  And God would lead them into Canaan to build a temple and dwell in his presence (v 17).  

Not all of the things pictured in the song would happen within 40 years.  Edom and Moab, for example, did not tremble in fear of the Israelites (v 15), but would do what they could to oppose them.  The complete fulfillment of verse 15 may lie in the future.  

There are echoes of Exodus 15 elsewhere in the Bible.  For example, Isaiah 11:12-16 describes a future exodus in which a regathering of the tribes of Israel will take place.  This account is followed in chapter 12 by a song that repeats words from the Song of the Sea:  "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation" (verse 2).  

Exodus 15 is referenced again in Psalm 118:14-16, with another quote of Exodus 15:2 and another statement of the strength of God's right hand.  There is a messianic prophecy a few verses later in verse 22.  In Exodus 15:5, Egyptian chariots sink like stones.  In Psalm 118:22, the stone rejected by the builders becomes the chief cornerstone.  

There are a number of allusions to Exodus 15 in the prophecy of Micah 7:7-20.  One striking thing about this prophecy is that in this case, it is human sin, rather than an enemy army, that is defeated and cast into the sea (verse 19).