MAY 7

Exodus 15:1-19
Memorise Exodus 15:1
“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD…”

The book of Exodus is largely a narrative, but there are passages of poetry in it. In Exodus 14:30, we read: “Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore”...then in response, “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD” (Exodus 15:1).

The passage today is also called “The Song of Moses”. This song was sung immediately after God saved the children of Israel, and the Egyptian army all drowned in the Red Sea. You can imagine the great joy of the Israelites – of course, they would break out into a song in praise to the Lord!

Doesn’t this remind you of Psalm 126:1-2? “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.”

Can you think of other poems inside a narrative book?

Read chapter 1 and 2 of the Gospel of Luke, where we find three hymns of praise!

1. Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56) – Mary praised God for His favour.
2. Benedictus (Luke 1:67-79) – Zacharias praised God for giving him a son, John the Baptist, in his old age.
3. Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:28-32) – Simeon praised God for allowing him to see his Lord Jesus.

What about Phil 2:5-11? This lovely passage is also called “Carmen Christi” (Hymn of Christ). Doesn’t our precious Saviour deserve such an exalted poem?

Far from being monotonous or boring, the Bible is a deeply exciting book filled with a variety of genres and writing styles. God has given this multi-faceted book to His children that we might know Him and His will for us - will you not love and delight in it?

Thought: Christians have always been a singing people! How wonderful a God we have!
Prayer: Lord, pray that I will always be filled with the joy of the Lord, daily!