Sing to the Lord,
Exodus 15:19-17:7
View commentary related to this passage
19 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers rushed into the sea, the Lord brought the water crashing down on them. But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground!
20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. 21 And Miriam sang this song:
“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea.”
Bitter Water at Marah 22 Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the desert of Shur. They traveled in this desert for three days without finding any water. 23 When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means “bitter”).
24 Then the people complained and turned against Moses. “What are we going to drink?” they demanded. 25 So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink.
It was there at Marah that the Lord set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him. 26 He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”
27 After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water.
Exodus 16
Manna and Quail from Heaven 1 Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin,[a] between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt.[b] 2 There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.
3 “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they will gather food, and when they prepare it, there will be twice as much as usual.”
6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “By evening you will realize it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 7 In the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaints, which are against him, not against us. What have we done that you should complain about us?” 8 Then Moses added, “The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread to satisfy you in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. What have we done? Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us.”
9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Announce this to the entire community of Israel: ‘Present yourselves before the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’” 10 And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel, they looked out toward the wilderness. There they could see the awesome glory of the Lord in the cloud.
11 Then the Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”
13 That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew. 14 When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. 15 The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was.
And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat. 16 These are the Lord’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts[c] for each person in your tent.”
17 So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. 18 But when they measured it out,[d] everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.
19 Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.” 20 But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. Moses was very angry with them.
21 After this the people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need. And as the sun became hot, the flakes they had not picked up melted and disappeared. 22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual—four quarts[e] for each person instead of two. Then all the leaders of the community came and asked Moses for an explanation. 23 He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.”
24 So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor. 25 Moses said, “Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today. 26 You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.”
27 Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. 28 The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? 29 They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.” 30 So the people did not gather any food on the seventh day.
31 The Israelites called the food manna.[f] It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers.
32 Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: Fill a two-quart container with manna to preserve it for your descendants. Then later generations will be able to see the food I gave you in the wilderness when I set you free from Egypt.”
33 Moses said to Aaron, “Get a jar and fill it with two quarts of manna. Then put it in a sacred place before the Lord to preserve it for all future generations.” 34 Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded Moses. He eventually placed it in the Ark of the Covenant—in front of the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant.[g] 35 So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
36 The container used to measure the manna was an omer, which was one tenth of an ephah; it held about two quarts.[h]
Exodus 17
Water from the Rock 1 At the Lord’s command, the whole community of Israel left the wilderness of Sin[i] and moved from place to place. Eventually they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink. 2 So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded.
“Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?”
3 But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?”
4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!”
5 The Lord said to Moses, “Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you. 6 I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai.[j] Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.
7 Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?”
Footnotes:
Exodus 16:1 The geographical name Sin is related to Sinai and should not be confused with the English word sin.
Exodus 16:1 The Exodus had occurred on the fifteenth day of the first month (see Num 33:3).
Exodus 16:16 Hebrew 1 omer [2 liters]; also in 16:32, 33.
Exodus 16:18 Hebrew measured it with an omer.
Exodus 16:22 Hebrew 2 omers [4 liters].
Exodus 16:31 Manna means “What is it?” See 16:15.
Exodus 16:34 Hebrew He placed it in front of the Testimony; see note on 25:16.
Exodus 16:36 Hebrew An omer is one tenth of an ephah.
Exodus 17:1 The geographical name Sin is related to Sinai and should not be confused with the English word sin.
Exodus 17:6 Hebrew Horeb, another name for Sinai.
New Living Translation (NLT)
So...For what were all things created?
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Rev. 4:11.
Does man in his natural condition carry out the design of God?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23.
While in this state, what did the Lord do for us?
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.
Through what is man permitted to come to repentance?
"Or despisest thou the riches of H is goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Rom. 2:4.
What does Christ become to those who accept Him?
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col. 1:27.
When this grace is received, what will it cause one to do?
"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Rom. 5:2.
On what condition are we to remain members of Christ's household?
"But Christ as a son over His own house: whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Heb. 3:6.
How often, and for how much, should we render thanks to God?
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Eph. 5:20.
The "all things" of the last text, includes our trials and disappointments. Why should we give thanks for them?
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." Rom. 8:28.
What did Paul and Silas do when put in prison for their faith?
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." Acts 16:25.
How did the Lord show His pleasure at their course?
"And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bands were loosed." Acts 16:26.
After being imprisoned, and then beaten by order of the Jewish Sanhedrin, what did Peter and John do?
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Ps. 42:11.
When properly offered, what does praise to God become?
"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me; and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God." Ps. 50:23.
Should our praise to God be confined to our secret devotions?
"My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear Him." Ps. 22:25.
Why ought we thus to praise God?
"My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. " Ps. 34:2. "And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah: and they were smitten." 2 Chron. 20:22.
How should one approach God in prayer?
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Phil, 4:6 (Col. 4:2),
What is the will of God in this matter concerning us?
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:18.
What has our Saviour taught us to pray?
"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matt. 6:10.
What does David exhort all to do?
"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." Ps. 34:3.
What good example did he set which is worthy of imitation by us when with our brethren?
"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul." Ps. 66:16.
What became of those, anciently, who were not thankful?
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Rom. 1:21.
What signal deliverance was once wrought for God's people when they offered praise to Him?
NOTE. - Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. It is a most thrilling account of deliverance from the enemies of God and His people.
View commentary related to this passage
19 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers rushed into the sea, the Lord brought the water crashing down on them. But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground!
20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. 21 And Miriam sang this song:
“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea.”
Bitter Water at Marah 22 Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the desert of Shur. They traveled in this desert for three days without finding any water. 23 When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means “bitter”).
24 Then the people complained and turned against Moses. “What are we going to drink?” they demanded. 25 So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink.
It was there at Marah that the Lord set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him. 26 He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”
27 After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water.
Exodus 16
Manna and Quail from Heaven 1 Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin,[a] between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt.[b] 2 There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.
3 “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they will gather food, and when they prepare it, there will be twice as much as usual.”
6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “By evening you will realize it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 7 In the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaints, which are against him, not against us. What have we done that you should complain about us?” 8 Then Moses added, “The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread to satisfy you in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. What have we done? Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us.”
9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Announce this to the entire community of Israel: ‘Present yourselves before the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’” 10 And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel, they looked out toward the wilderness. There they could see the awesome glory of the Lord in the cloud.
11 Then the Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”
13 That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew. 14 When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. 15 The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was.
And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat. 16 These are the Lord’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts[c] for each person in your tent.”
17 So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. 18 But when they measured it out,[d] everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.
19 Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.” 20 But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. Moses was very angry with them.
21 After this the people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need. And as the sun became hot, the flakes they had not picked up melted and disappeared. 22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual—four quarts[e] for each person instead of two. Then all the leaders of the community came and asked Moses for an explanation. 23 He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.”
24 So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor. 25 Moses said, “Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today. 26 You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.”
27 Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. 28 The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? 29 They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.” 30 So the people did not gather any food on the seventh day.
31 The Israelites called the food manna.[f] It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers.
32 Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: Fill a two-quart container with manna to preserve it for your descendants. Then later generations will be able to see the food I gave you in the wilderness when I set you free from Egypt.”
33 Moses said to Aaron, “Get a jar and fill it with two quarts of manna. Then put it in a sacred place before the Lord to preserve it for all future generations.” 34 Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded Moses. He eventually placed it in the Ark of the Covenant—in front of the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant.[g] 35 So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
36 The container used to measure the manna was an omer, which was one tenth of an ephah; it held about two quarts.[h]
Exodus 17
Water from the Rock 1 At the Lord’s command, the whole community of Israel left the wilderness of Sin[i] and moved from place to place. Eventually they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink. 2 So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded.
“Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?”
3 But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?”
4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!”
5 The Lord said to Moses, “Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you. 6 I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai.[j] Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.
7 Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?”
Footnotes:
Exodus 16:1 The geographical name Sin is related to Sinai and should not be confused with the English word sin.
Exodus 16:1 The Exodus had occurred on the fifteenth day of the first month (see Num 33:3).
Exodus 16:16 Hebrew 1 omer [2 liters]; also in 16:32, 33.
Exodus 16:18 Hebrew measured it with an omer.
Exodus 16:22 Hebrew 2 omers [4 liters].
Exodus 16:31 Manna means “What is it?” See 16:15.
Exodus 16:34 Hebrew He placed it in front of the Testimony; see note on 25:16.
Exodus 16:36 Hebrew An omer is one tenth of an ephah.
Exodus 17:1 The geographical name Sin is related to Sinai and should not be confused with the English word sin.
Exodus 17:6 Hebrew Horeb, another name for Sinai.
New Living Translation (NLT)
So...For what were all things created?
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Rev. 4:11.
Does man in his natural condition carry out the design of God?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23.
While in this state, what did the Lord do for us?
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.
Through what is man permitted to come to repentance?
"Or despisest thou the riches of H is goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Rom. 2:4.
What does Christ become to those who accept Him?
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col. 1:27.
When this grace is received, what will it cause one to do?
"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Rom. 5:2.
On what condition are we to remain members of Christ's household?
"But Christ as a son over His own house: whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Heb. 3:6.
How often, and for how much, should we render thanks to God?
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Eph. 5:20.
The "all things" of the last text, includes our trials and disappointments. Why should we give thanks for them?
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." Rom. 8:28.
What did Paul and Silas do when put in prison for their faith?
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." Acts 16:25.
How did the Lord show His pleasure at their course?
"And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bands were loosed." Acts 16:26.
After being imprisoned, and then beaten by order of the Jewish Sanhedrin, what did Peter and John do?
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Ps. 42:11.
When properly offered, what does praise to God become?
"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me; and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God." Ps. 50:23.
Should our praise to God be confined to our secret devotions?
"My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear Him." Ps. 22:25.
Why ought we thus to praise God?
"My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. " Ps. 34:2. "And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah: and they were smitten." 2 Chron. 20:22.
How should one approach God in prayer?
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Phil, 4:6 (Col. 4:2),
What is the will of God in this matter concerning us?
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:18.
What has our Saviour taught us to pray?
"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matt. 6:10.
What does David exhort all to do?
"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." Ps. 34:3.
What good example did he set which is worthy of imitation by us when with our brethren?
"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul." Ps. 66:16.
What became of those, anciently, who were not thankful?
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Rom. 1:21.
What signal deliverance was once wrought for God's people when they offered praise to Him?
NOTE. - Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. It is a most thrilling account of deliverance from the enemies of God and His people.
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Friday, February 02, 2007
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