The Central Idea of the Text is that God is praised through song and dance by the Israelites whom He had delivered from the Egyptians. This victory song is a natural response to God for His mighty deliverance on behalf of His people. David wrote similar victory songs that extol God for His deliverance (Psalms 18 & 24). The Israelites displayed fear the day before; but having seen the Lord's saving work on their behalf, they now praise Him boldly. Unfortunately, three days after their song of praise, they're back to grumbling at Moses (Ex. 15:22-27). God, who had previously led the Israelites away from the Philistines lest "they see war, and they return to Egypt" (Ex. 13:17), afterward caused their conflict with Pharaoh at the Red Sea (Ex. 14), and then tested their faith at Marah with bitter water (Ex. 15:22-25). The difficulties Israel faced in the wilderness were not disciplinary, but educational, designed to develop their faith in God as they observed His repeated protection and provisions. Experience can often be a harsh teacher, and the wise man learns from others' (1 Cor. 10:1, 5-11), whereas the fool learns by no other, and sometimes even fails at that (Prov. 17:10; 27:22). God sometimes creates difficulties for believers so they learn not to trust in themselves or others, but in Him (Ex. 15:22-25; cf. Jer. 17:5-10; 2 Cor. 12:7-10). Many of life's trials are educational, to develop our faith and grow our relationship with the Lord. How we perceive and respond to trials determines whether or not we benefit from them (Rom. 5:1-5; Jas. 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-7). Christian praise is called "the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name" (Heb. 13:15), and has more to do with being "filled with the Spirit" than the circumstances of our life (Eph. 5:18-20; cf. Acts 5:40-41; 16:22-25). We do not always have say over our circumstances, but we do have say over how we respond to them, and this is by faith as we trust the Lord in everything (1 Thess. 5:18; Jas. 1:2-4).

• published: 31 Jul 2011
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