Exodus 15:1–18 “The Reason for Worship”

Exodus 15:1-18 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• All Sons & Daughters – Great Are You Lord
• Do It Again – Elevation Worship
• You Never Let Go – Matt Redman

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• What is Worship? (Lesson For Preschool)
• 3 Minute Theology 5.4: What is Worship? (Lesson For Upper Elementary – Youth)
• I Will Trust You | HLA Wilderness Escape VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus | Shipwrecked VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• One True God | Holy Land Adventure: Egypt VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

After experiencing God’s miraculous deliverance, Moses and the Israelites sing a song to praise the Lord. The voice of this song is in the first person singular (“I”) (v.1). It was likely sung in a call-and-response format, with Moses leading and the congregation responding.

He begins by describing what the Lord has done (vv. 4–5) and praises the Lord with expressions such as “my strength,” “my song,” “my salvation,” “my God,” “my father’s God,” and “warrior” (vv. 2–3). Moses then recounts how the enemy sought to destroy them, but the Lord, with His mighty hand, defeated them (vv. 6–10). The “right hand” (v.6) is a metaphor symbolizing great power.

Reflecting on all these things, Moses declares, “Who among the gods is like you, Lord?” (v.11). To “those who oppose” the Lord (v.7), He is a God to be feared, but to those who trust in Him, He is “steadfast in love” (v.13). It is by this love that the Lord rescued Israel from the attacks of Egypt.

Because of this event, the surrounding nations are filled with fear of Israel (vv.14–15). No nation can stand against a people protected by such a God. Moses confesses, “Until your people pass by, Lord, until the people you bought pass by, you will bring them in and plant them” (v.16). By expressing future hope in the past tense, he reveals his deep trust in the Lord. Moses foresees that Israel will pass through the lands of many nations and ultimately be “planted on the mountain of your inheritance” (v.17), where “the Lord will reign forever and ever” (v.18).

Meditation:

Critics of religion often claim that humans began to seek gods and worship out of fear. While that may be true for other religions, it is not the case for the faith of the Bible. In Scripture, the motivation for worship and praise is not fear, but overwhelming gratitude and awe that arise when one becomes aware of God’s presence and mighty acts.

After being saved from a life-threatening crisis, Moses and the people of Israel likely gathered together to offer worship filled with thanksgiving and deep emotion. The song known as “The Song of Moses” was probably sung spontaneously in that moment of worship and later passed down, expanded, and deepened over time.

Living worship and praise lead us to give thanks for the past and hope for the future. The Israelites, now fully freed from Pharaoh’s grasp, would have to journey through the lands of many nations to reach the land of Canaan. It was clear that these nations would not easily yield their paths.

This was indeed a fearful prospect. Yet through worship and praise, as they remembered what the Lord had done in the past, they came to trust that He would continue to protect them in the future. Moses said, “Until your people pass by, Lord, until the people you bought pass by, they will be as still as a stone” (v.16). Though that was not the reality at the time, the Lord did eventually lead them into the land of Canaan.

It was through regular worship and praise that they maintained their faith and hope in the Lord’s guidance and protection.

Thus, worship begins with faith in God, and that worship deepens faith and stirs up hope. As faith and hope in God grow stronger, worship becomes more alive, and as worship comes alive, faith and hope burn even brighter. This is why it is said, “There is no faith without worship.”

Prayer:

Lord, may our worship be a response of gratitude to Your presence and to all that You have done. Let our worship and praise be alive, and through them, deepen our faith and hope in You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: True worship begins not with fear, but with thankfulness and trust in God. When we remember how God helped us in the past, it gives us faith and hope for the future. Worship keeps our faith alive and helps us walk forward, even when the way ahead seems hard.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • What are some good things God has done for you or your family?
  • How can you thank Him?
  • When you’re scared or unsure, how can remembering God’s love help you feel better?
• For Youth
  
  • Why do you think Moses and the Israelites sang a song after crossing the Red Sea? How does singing help express faith?
  • When have you experienced something hard, but later saw that God was with you? How did that change your perspective?
  • Worship helps us remember and trust in God. What are some practical ways you can make worship more real and alive in your life?