Exodus 17

Exodus 17:1

Pharaoh’s Army Perishes

Salvation is not only a separation between the people and the enemy, but also the complete judgment of the whole army of Pharaoh. The LORD looks down upon the whole scene (Exodus 14:24). He notes everything, He is in charge. He lets Pharaoh go to the middle of the sea. Then He confuses the Egyptian army and causes the wheels of the chariots to swerve. Natural explanations can be sought, but here we see that the LORD works it out. That gives reason to remember Him and His wonders, as Asaph does (Psalms 77:11; 16; 19-20).

At first it seems as if Pharaoh can go the same way as the people. He also goes into the Red Sea. It seems as if God is with Pharaoh and against His people. But what salvation means to Israel means judgment to Pharaoh: “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though [they were passing] through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned” (Hebrews 11:29). And that judgment is total, just as salvation is total. There is not one enemy left. Not one member of the people dies.

So it is with the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross. There it also seems as if God is against Him and cooperates with His enemies. However, the resurrection makes it clear on which side God stands. This is only possible by understanding and exercising faith. In the judgment that the Lord Jesus bore on the cross, the victory over satan is included. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is proof that the victory over sin, satan, death and the world is total. In His victory the victory of His people is included.

Exodus 17:2

Pharaoh’s Army Perishes

Salvation is not only a separation between the people and the enemy, but also the complete judgment of the whole army of Pharaoh. The LORD looks down upon the whole scene (Exodus 14:24). He notes everything, He is in charge. He lets Pharaoh go to the middle of the sea. Then He confuses the Egyptian army and causes the wheels of the chariots to swerve. Natural explanations can be sought, but here we see that the LORD works it out. That gives reason to remember Him and His wonders, as Asaph does (Psalms 77:11; 16; 19-20).

At first it seems as if Pharaoh can go the same way as the people. He also goes into the Red Sea. It seems as if God is with Pharaoh and against His people. But what salvation means to Israel means judgment to Pharaoh: “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though [they were passing] through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned” (Hebrews 11:29). And that judgment is total, just as salvation is total. There is not one enemy left. Not one member of the people dies.

So it is with the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross. There it also seems as if God is against Him and cooperates with His enemies. However, the resurrection makes it clear on which side God stands. This is only possible by understanding and exercising faith. In the judgment that the Lord Jesus bore on the cross, the victory over satan is included. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is proof that the victory over sin, satan, death and the world is total. In His victory the victory of His people is included.

Exodus 17:3

Israel Believes in the LORD and in Moses

The people reach dry land. The man who in Romans 7 sinks, as it were, into the marsh, gets firm ground under his feet, which he expresses in faith by agreeing with the truth: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). This is also what the believer expresses when he is baptized. In going through the Red Sea we see a picture of baptism. Just as the Israelites join Moses by going through the sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-2), so the believer identifies with the death of Christ by baptism (Romans 6:3-4).

Israel sees the dead bodies (cf. Isaiah 66:24). They see the proof of their complete deliverance from the power of the enemy. His dominion has been destroyed. They have been impressed by the power of the enemy, they have been terrified by it; now they have been impressed by the power of God. Israel recognizes the mighty deed of the LORD.

They are filled with respect for Him and for Moses, His servant. If we have understood that we are free from the power of sin, it will fill us with awe and admiration for God and for His Son through Whom God has accomplished this. The result is that we will sing and honor Him, as we will see in the next chapter.

Exodus 17:4

Israel Believes in the LORD and in Moses

The people reach dry land. The man who in Romans 7 sinks, as it were, into the marsh, gets firm ground under his feet, which he expresses in faith by agreeing with the truth: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). This is also what the believer expresses when he is baptized. In going through the Red Sea we see a picture of baptism. Just as the Israelites join Moses by going through the sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-2), so the believer identifies with the death of Christ by baptism (Romans 6:3-4).

Israel sees the dead bodies (cf. Isaiah 66:24). They see the proof of their complete deliverance from the power of the enemy. His dominion has been destroyed. They have been impressed by the power of the enemy, they have been terrified by it; now they have been impressed by the power of God. Israel recognizes the mighty deed of the LORD.

They are filled with respect for Him and for Moses, His servant. If we have understood that we are free from the power of sin, it will fill us with awe and admiration for God and for His Son through Whom God has accomplished this. The result is that we will sing and honor Him, as we will see in the next chapter.

Exodus 17:5

Israel Believes in the LORD and in Moses

The people reach dry land. The man who in Romans 7 sinks, as it were, into the marsh, gets firm ground under his feet, which he expresses in faith by agreeing with the truth: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). This is also what the believer expresses when he is baptized. In going through the Red Sea we see a picture of baptism. Just as the Israelites join Moses by going through the sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-2), so the believer identifies with the death of Christ by baptism (Romans 6:3-4).

Israel sees the dead bodies (cf. Isaiah 66:24). They see the proof of their complete deliverance from the power of the enemy. His dominion has been destroyed. They have been impressed by the power of the enemy, they have been terrified by it; now they have been impressed by the power of God. Israel recognizes the mighty deed of the LORD.

They are filled with respect for Him and for Moses, His servant. If we have understood that we are free from the power of sin, it will fill us with awe and admiration for God and for His Son through Whom God has accomplished this. The result is that we will sing and honor Him, as we will see in the next chapter.

Exodus 17:7

The Reason for the Song

For the first time in the Bible we hear of a song. This is sung by a people who have been redeemed from Egypt and have safely reached the other side of the Red Sea, while the power of the enemy has been broken. This song will also be sung in the end time. Then it sounds from the mouth of the victors over the beast: “And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God. And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! (Revelation 15:2-3). This is the last time that the Bible talks about a song.

In the life of the believer, the first reason to sing to the glory of God and the Lord Jesus is the awareness that he is a child of God who is redeemed from his sins and delivered from the power of sin. He will sing this song forever as the song of the Lamb. By the Lamb the Israelites are redeemed from the enemy; by the Lamb of God all believers are redeemed at all times from their sins.

Exodus 17:8

Who the LORD Is

The people sing not of themselves, but of the LORD. He did it, He completed the work that led to salvation. Here it is the personal expression of gratitude for the salvation obtained. Yet it is about Him. The emphasis is on Who the LORD is.

There is also the desire to make a dwelling for Him. The redeemed one does not live alone with God, but with all the redeemed; the whole people may live with Him (Exodus 15:13). Not only the living, but also the fathers who have already fallen asleep, will share in the results of God’s delivering action. Living with God is the wish of every soul that fears God (Psalms 27:4).

The Name of God is expressed in His deeds. The first thing that a redeemed person learns to know from God are the deeds He has done for his redemption. That is why the redeemed sings the praises of those deeds.

Exodus 17:9

Who the LORD Is

The people sing not of themselves, but of the LORD. He did it, He completed the work that led to salvation. Here it is the personal expression of gratitude for the salvation obtained. Yet it is about Him. The emphasis is on Who the LORD is.

There is also the desire to make a dwelling for Him. The redeemed one does not live alone with God, but with all the redeemed; the whole people may live with Him (Exodus 15:13). Not only the living, but also the fathers who have already fallen asleep, will share in the results of God’s delivering action. Living with God is the wish of every soul that fears God (Psalms 27:4).

The Name of God is expressed in His deeds. The first thing that a redeemed person learns to know from God are the deeds He has done for his redemption. That is why the redeemed sings the praises of those deeds.

Exodus 17:10

The LORD Deals with the Enemies

In his song, the redeemed describes precisely how the LORD has dealt with the enemies. He sings of how the LORD has cast the enemies into the sea, drowned them, and thereby completely destroyed them. He glorifies the right hand (Exodus 15:6; 12) of the LORD. The right hand symbolizes power. He is impressed by the great excellence and the burning anger of the LORD. The enemy is as worthless to the LORD as chaff which is consumed by the fire.

The blast of the LORD has made the waters a dam, so that His people could go to the other side dry footed. That same breath has blown again at the moment the enemy in haughtiness has gone the same way and the waters have covered him. Exterminating the enemy costs God nothing more than breathing out, so to speak (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Today the believer may express something like that in his praise. Scripture speaks of the power of the enemy, but which has been destroyed by the overwhelming power of the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 2:14). The victory that He gained over the enemy by His death on the cross, gives eternal cause to sing of Him. Every redeemed person will long to learn more and more by studying the Scriptures – Who He is, Who has redeemed him, and what He has done to achieve it. Every new aspect he discovers is a reason to praise Him.

The exclamation “Who is like You?” is understandable (Exodus 15:11). Egypt has many gods. Behind these idols are demons. What have they been able to do against Him? They have been nowhere to be seen. God has glorified Himself in power and He has glorified Himself in holiness. With His power He has wiped out His enemies, and in His holiness He has paved the way to have a people who can dwell with Him, and with which He can dwell.

Exodus 17:11

The LORD Deals with the Enemies

In his song, the redeemed describes precisely how the LORD has dealt with the enemies. He sings of how the LORD has cast the enemies into the sea, drowned them, and thereby completely destroyed them. He glorifies the right hand (Exodus 15:6; 12) of the LORD. The right hand symbolizes power. He is impressed by the great excellence and the burning anger of the LORD. The enemy is as worthless to the LORD as chaff which is consumed by the fire.

The blast of the LORD has made the waters a dam, so that His people could go to the other side dry footed. That same breath has blown again at the moment the enemy in haughtiness has gone the same way and the waters have covered him. Exterminating the enemy costs God nothing more than breathing out, so to speak (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Today the believer may express something like that in his praise. Scripture speaks of the power of the enemy, but which has been destroyed by the overwhelming power of the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 2:14). The victory that He gained over the enemy by His death on the cross, gives eternal cause to sing of Him. Every redeemed person will long to learn more and more by studying the Scriptures – Who He is, Who has redeemed him, and what He has done to achieve it. Every new aspect he discovers is a reason to praise Him.

The exclamation “Who is like You?” is understandable (Exodus 15:11). Egypt has many gods. Behind these idols are demons. What have they been able to do against Him? They have been nowhere to be seen. God has glorified Himself in power and He has glorified Himself in holiness. With His power He has wiped out His enemies, and in His holiness He has paved the way to have a people who can dwell with Him, and with which He can dwell.

Exodus 17:12

The LORD Deals with the Enemies

In his song, the redeemed describes precisely how the LORD has dealt with the enemies. He sings of how the LORD has cast the enemies into the sea, drowned them, and thereby completely destroyed them. He glorifies the right hand (Exodus 15:6; 12) of the LORD. The right hand symbolizes power. He is impressed by the great excellence and the burning anger of the LORD. The enemy is as worthless to the LORD as chaff which is consumed by the fire.

The blast of the LORD has made the waters a dam, so that His people could go to the other side dry footed. That same breath has blown again at the moment the enemy in haughtiness has gone the same way and the waters have covered him. Exterminating the enemy costs God nothing more than breathing out, so to speak (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Today the believer may express something like that in his praise. Scripture speaks of the power of the enemy, but which has been destroyed by the overwhelming power of the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 2:14). The victory that He gained over the enemy by His death on the cross, gives eternal cause to sing of Him. Every redeemed person will long to learn more and more by studying the Scriptures – Who He is, Who has redeemed him, and what He has done to achieve it. Every new aspect he discovers is a reason to praise Him.

The exclamation “Who is like You?” is understandable (Exodus 15:11). Egypt has many gods. Behind these idols are demons. What have they been able to do against Him? They have been nowhere to be seen. God has glorified Himself in power and He has glorified Himself in holiness. With His power He has wiped out His enemies, and in His holiness He has paved the way to have a people who can dwell with Him, and with which He can dwell.

Exodus 17:13

The LORD Deals with the Enemies

In his song, the redeemed describes precisely how the LORD has dealt with the enemies. He sings of how the LORD has cast the enemies into the sea, drowned them, and thereby completely destroyed them. He glorifies the right hand (Exodus 15:6; 12) of the LORD. The right hand symbolizes power. He is impressed by the great excellence and the burning anger of the LORD. The enemy is as worthless to the LORD as chaff which is consumed by the fire.

The blast of the LORD has made the waters a dam, so that His people could go to the other side dry footed. That same breath has blown again at the moment the enemy in haughtiness has gone the same way and the waters have covered him. Exterminating the enemy costs God nothing more than breathing out, so to speak (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Today the believer may express something like that in his praise. Scripture speaks of the power of the enemy, but which has been destroyed by the overwhelming power of the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 2:14). The victory that He gained over the enemy by His death on the cross, gives eternal cause to sing of Him. Every redeemed person will long to learn more and more by studying the Scriptures – Who He is, Who has redeemed him, and what He has done to achieve it. Every new aspect he discovers is a reason to praise Him.

The exclamation “Who is like You?” is understandable (Exodus 15:11). Egypt has many gods. Behind these idols are demons. What have they been able to do against Him? They have been nowhere to be seen. God has glorified Himself in power and He has glorified Himself in holiness. With His power He has wiped out His enemies, and in His holiness He has paved the way to have a people who can dwell with Him, and with which He can dwell.

Exodus 17:14

The LORD Deals with the Enemies

In his song, the redeemed describes precisely how the LORD has dealt with the enemies. He sings of how the LORD has cast the enemies into the sea, drowned them, and thereby completely destroyed them. He glorifies the right hand (Exodus 15:6; 12) of the LORD. The right hand symbolizes power. He is impressed by the great excellence and the burning anger of the LORD. The enemy is as worthless to the LORD as chaff which is consumed by the fire.

The blast of the LORD has made the waters a dam, so that His people could go to the other side dry footed. That same breath has blown again at the moment the enemy in haughtiness has gone the same way and the waters have covered him. Exterminating the enemy costs God nothing more than breathing out, so to speak (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Today the believer may express something like that in his praise. Scripture speaks of the power of the enemy, but which has been destroyed by the overwhelming power of the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 2:14). The victory that He gained over the enemy by His death on the cross, gives eternal cause to sing of Him. Every redeemed person will long to learn more and more by studying the Scriptures – Who He is, Who has redeemed him, and what He has done to achieve it. Every new aspect he discovers is a reason to praise Him.

The exclamation “Who is like You?” is understandable (Exodus 15:11). Egypt has many gods. Behind these idols are demons. What have they been able to do against Him? They have been nowhere to be seen. God has glorified Himself in power and He has glorified Himself in holiness. With His power He has wiped out His enemies, and in His holiness He has paved the way to have a people who can dwell with Him, and with which He can dwell.

Exodus 17:15

The LORD Deals with the Enemies

In his song, the redeemed describes precisely how the LORD has dealt with the enemies. He sings of how the LORD has cast the enemies into the sea, drowned them, and thereby completely destroyed them. He glorifies the right hand (Exodus 15:6; 12) of the LORD. The right hand symbolizes power. He is impressed by the great excellence and the burning anger of the LORD. The enemy is as worthless to the LORD as chaff which is consumed by the fire.

The blast of the LORD has made the waters a dam, so that His people could go to the other side dry footed. That same breath has blown again at the moment the enemy in haughtiness has gone the same way and the waters have covered him. Exterminating the enemy costs God nothing more than breathing out, so to speak (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Today the believer may express something like that in his praise. Scripture speaks of the power of the enemy, but which has been destroyed by the overwhelming power of the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 2:14). The victory that He gained over the enemy by His death on the cross, gives eternal cause to sing of Him. Every redeemed person will long to learn more and more by studying the Scriptures – Who He is, Who has redeemed him, and what He has done to achieve it. Every new aspect he discovers is a reason to praise Him.

The exclamation “Who is like You?” is understandable (Exodus 15:11). Egypt has many gods. Behind these idols are demons. What have they been able to do against Him? They have been nowhere to be seen. God has glorified Himself in power and He has glorified Himself in holiness. With His power He has wiped out His enemies, and in His holiness He has paved the way to have a people who can dwell with Him, and with which He can dwell.

Exodus 17:16

The LORD Deals with the Enemies

In his song, the redeemed describes precisely how the LORD has dealt with the enemies. He sings of how the LORD has cast the enemies into the sea, drowned them, and thereby completely destroyed them. He glorifies the right hand (Exodus 15:6; 12) of the LORD. The right hand symbolizes power. He is impressed by the great excellence and the burning anger of the LORD. The enemy is as worthless to the LORD as chaff which is consumed by the fire.

The blast of the LORD has made the waters a dam, so that His people could go to the other side dry footed. That same breath has blown again at the moment the enemy in haughtiness has gone the same way and the waters have covered him. Exterminating the enemy costs God nothing more than breathing out, so to speak (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Today the believer may express something like that in his praise. Scripture speaks of the power of the enemy, but which has been destroyed by the overwhelming power of the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 2:14). The victory that He gained over the enemy by His death on the cross, gives eternal cause to sing of Him. Every redeemed person will long to learn more and more by studying the Scriptures – Who He is, Who has redeemed him, and what He has done to achieve it. Every new aspect he discovers is a reason to praise Him.

The exclamation “Who is like You?” is understandable (Exodus 15:11). Egypt has many gods. Behind these idols are demons. What have they been able to do against Him? They have been nowhere to be seen. God has glorified Himself in power and He has glorified Himself in holiness. With His power He has wiped out His enemies, and in His holiness He has paved the way to have a people who can dwell with Him, and with which He can dwell.