From Hard Labor to Heavenly Songs

Slaves mostly work hard, not having much time to sing or dance. They are busy making bricks and sticking to tight production schedules.

When slaves are freed from work, such as making bricks and following production schedules, they express their happiness through song and dance. Their cries of hardship become joyful songs.

After the Hebrew children left the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s soldiers were swept away, they understood that all power had moved from Pharaoh to Jehovah.

They joyfully sang about their rescuing God, who showed himself stronger than Pharaoh and Egypt’s gods.

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.

The Lord is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him;
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name. (Exodus 15.1-3)

Instead of just studying these verses for their historical value, we can use them as a guide for prayer. They make an excellent blueprint for our prayers.

When praying verses like these, I find it helpful to expand the meanings of the words and reflect on them during prayer.

(1) Strength – might, power, strong, stronghold

(2) Song

(3) Salvation – deliverance, welfare, prosperity, help, and victory.

The Hebrew for salvation is “Yeshua” which in English is “Jesus.”

(4) Warrior – battle, fight, war, warrior

Victory Over the Enemy

Moses’ song celebrates God and his victory over the enemies of his people. Ten times, the song mentions Jehovah.

Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power—
your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy.

In the greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries;
you sent out your fury; it consumed them like stubble.

Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in splendor, doing wonders? (Exodus 15.7-8, 11)

It’s good to remember how this story started: Pharaoh claimed he didn’t know the Lord and refused to follow God’s will.

“Who is the Lord, that I should listen to him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go” (Exodus 5.2).

In the Middle East, the nations including Egypt believed in multiple gods. The Pharaoh even thought he was a god himself. However, God’s triumph at the Red Sea proved that He is the only true God.

The Exodus story highlights a crucial question: Do we only consider God in theory through ideas and thoughts, or does God really intervene in our lives?

The Exodus account declares that God indeed plays an active role in our life events. God’s actions in our history and personal lives give us reason to praise and worship him.

Application for Today

Tomorrow, Rudy, Danny and I will talk more about this song. But today, let’s take time to make it practical for our lives.

Make this song your personal prayer. Reflect on the message as you remember all the wonderful things God has done for you.

You might know a worship song related to Moses’ praise song. Why not play it and thank God for what He’s done in your life?

Remember a time when God stepped in to help you. Take a moment to thank Him and praise Him for it.

Think of people who, like Pharaoh, say they don’t know God. Pray that they may experience God’s love, grace, and kindness.

As you end your prayer, ask to live in a way that glorifies God and truly reflects His nature.

YouTube Video

Rudy Ross, Whispering Danny and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.