ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Exodus 15

Ex. 15:1–18 The song of praise is a celebration of the Lord’s triumph over Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea. It is similar to other songs or psalms in both the OT and NT that celebrate particular events: Deborah and Barak’s song in response to victory over Sisera and Jabin (Judg. 5:1–31); Hannah’s song at Samuel’s birth (1 Sam. 2:1–10); Mary’s response to the angel’s news (Luke 1:46–55); and Zechariah’s prophecy after John the Baptist’s birth (Luke 1:68–79).

Ex. 15:1 the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The drowning of Pharaoh’s army is the central event celebrated by the song.

Ex. 15:2 My father’s God echoes the Lord’s words to Moses at the burning bush (“the God of your father”; 3:6).

Ex. 15:4 Red Sea. See note on 13:18.

Ex. 15:6 right hand (v. 12; compare v. 16). See also 6:1; 7:4–5.

Ex. 15:9 While the words of the enemy refer first of all to the actions of the Egyptians (pursue, overtake; see 14:9) who intended to bring Israel back to serve as their slaves (see 14:5), they also represent the pride and desire of any adversary of the Lord and his people (that is, to divide the spoil, destroy).

Ex. 15:13–18 These verses describe Israel’s journey out of Egypt and into Canaan. They anticipate the surrounding peoples’ fear. your own mountain, the place . . . you have made for your abode (v. 17). In one sense, all of Canaan is to be God’s dwelling. But his “abode” may refer more specifically to the hill of Jerusalem, where God’s temple will stand.

Ex. 15:13 Redeemed refers to God’s dealings for the sake of his people. Compare 6:6; Ps. 77:15; 106:10; Isa. 52:9. See note on Isa. 41:14.

Ex. 15:16 purchased. An image for how God “acquired” his people through his great deeds on their behalf. Compare Ps. 74:2.

15:22–18:27 Journey. Israel journeys from Egypt to Rephidim and responds to difficulties like the need for water (15:22–27; 17:1–7) and food (16:1–36). The narrative also includes two difficult situations the people face while encamped at Rephidim: the external attack by another nation (17:8) and the internal question of how to help the people make decisions according to God’s will (ch. 18). From Rephidim Israel will make their final short journey to the wilderness of Sinai (see 19:2).

Ex. 15:22–27 The people of Israel do not trust that the Lord’s presence is sufficient for their protection and provision. This will be a recurring struggle in the journey to Sinai (see 16:2–3; 17:2–3) and beyond.

Ex. 15:24–26 grumbled. Israel had just seen the power of the Lord unforgettably demonstrated, yet they failed to trust him. In contrast, Moses cried to the Lord to meet their needs. The statute was intended to demonstrate that if the people would diligently listen to the voice of the Lord, he would always heal them.

Ex. 15:25–26 The statute calls Israel to obey all that the Lord has commanded and all that he will reveal later. This requires that the people follow Moses, through whom they will listen to the voice of the Lord.

Ex. 15:27 Elim, with its twelve springs and seventy palm trees, showed Israel that, since the Lord was leading them, they should not complain too quickly about difficult circumstances.