多麼優美的讚美詩！這是蒙拯救的得勝之歌。上帝的性格及祂大能的作為在眾民的感謝聲中被高舉。以色列的兒女親眼目睹上帝用手帶他們過紅海，施行奇妙的拯救，又見祂勝過驕傲的法老，摧毀了他們的敵人，他們理所當然帶著極大的喜樂敬拜上帝。他們一定在上帝的聖潔和能力之前恭敬肅立。所有的榮耀都歸給上帝，因為以色列百姓確知，沒有上帝，他們就軟弱無助。

         摩西的頌歌是希伯來詩的代表作，每一節或每一行都用類似的詞句重複前一節的意思，或有時前後兩節的思想互為對比。第三節中「我要讚美祂」和「我要尊崇他」就是重覆句的典型範例，這種使用同義字的平衡結構也是本詩的風格。

         第八節很清楚的陳述海水分開、聚起成堆、海底「凝結」（也就是「變硬」）是上帝超自然的能力所造成，而不是某種自然的現象。上帝被描寫成一位戰士，祂因祂的憐憫和慈愛為祂的兒女爭戰，並勝過埃及人所敬拜的一切神和法老。這也是一首預言詩。摩西說上帝會因祂的憐憫引他們到祂聖所（15：13），就是西乃山或何烈山，上帝從前在荊棘火焰中向摩西顯現之處；祂也將在同一地點再次顯現並賜給他們十誡。巴勒斯坦（非利士）周圍的國家、以東（以掃的後裔）、和摩押（從羅得而出；創19：36~37）在上帝所贖的子民通過他們的境界時（15：16），都要畏懼上帝的大能。上帝要將祂們「栽種」（堅固的建立）在祂產業的山上，就是耶路撒冷的摩利亞山，未來聖殿的所在地（15：17）。這首歌以上帝永遠的王權作結尾（15：18）。我們應了解，上帝過去掌權，將來也必永遠繼續的掌管一切。

         摩西歌詩畢，他的姐姐米利暗也領導一群婦女詩歌團加入頌讚行列，在上帝面前喜樂的跳舞。她詩歌裡的第一節似乎是與先前的男聲部應和（15：1、21）。米利暗被稱為女先知，因為上帝使用她作領導人（彌6：4）。

         上帝繼續試驗以色列：引他們到瑪拉（意思是：苦）的苦水處。以色列民不信任上帝，反而抱怨摩西。摩西一禱告，上帝馬上給他指示。摩西是個好榜樣：禱告勝於抱怨。上帝將自然的元素變成超自然的成分（參約9：6）。瑪拉的苦水不是被更換了，乃是變甜了；也不是因為那顆樹含有某種特質，而是由於上帝的能力。這個事件顯示了上帝對祂百姓的看顧和愛，祂要幫助他們發展上帝子民的性格。

         上帝應許他們，如果他們順服祂，埃及人所遭遇的疾病就不會臨到他們身上。除了應許之外，上帝也啟示祂自己為「耶和華拉法」（Jehovah Rapheh）：耶和華醫治。上帝的百姓可以倚賴祂的醫治，正如祂治好了苦水一樣。

         緊接在這短短試鍊之後的是在以琳的長期安息，這塊曠野中的綠洲是紮營安頓最理想的地方。上帝的慈愛何等豐富！祂總是供應祂兒女一切的需要！

         上帝，謝謝您在曠野中預備綠洲。求您幫助我們天天信實的讀經、禱告。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

         What a beautiful song of praise unto the Lord! It is a victory song of deliverance. God’s character and mighty deeds are lifted up in thanksgiving. After seeing their miraculous salvation by His hand in crossing the sea, the Lord’s triumph over the proud Pharaoh and the destruction of their enemies, the children of Israel had good reason to worship the Lord with great joy. They must have stood in awe and reverence of His Holiness and power. God alone received all the glory, for the people acknowledged their helplessness without Him.

         Moses’ song is a beautiful example of Hebrew poetry in which each phrase or line is repeated in similar words in the next line, or sometimes two thoughts are contrasted. “I will praise Him” and “I will exalt Him” is a typical example from verse two. Most of this poem is in the same fashion of synonymous parallel structure.

         Verse 8 clearly states that the waters parted, heaped up, and the bottom was “congealed” (i.e. became firm), caused by the supernatural power of God, and not by some natural phenomenon. The Lord is described as a warrior who, in His mercy and loving kindness, fought the battle for His children and was triumphant over all the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh. It is also a song of prophecy. The Lord will lead them, because of His mercy, to His holy habitation (15:13). This is Mount Sinai or Horeb, where God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and where He would once again appear to give the Ten Commandments. The surrounding nations of Palestina (the Philistines), Edom (descendants of Esau), and Moab (from Lot, Gen. 19:36-37) will fear God’s power as His people whom He has “purchased” (redeemed, brought back from slavery) pass through their territory (15:16). The Lord will lead them and “plant” (firmly establish) them in the mountain of His inheritance which is Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, the sight of the future Temple (15:17). The song ends on a glorious note expressing God’s eternal kingship (15:18). We need to understand that God has always and will always continue to be in control.

         After Moses’ song, his sister Miriam joyfully joined in leading the women in song and dance unto the Lord. It seems the first verse of the song was repeated as the chorus (15:1, 21), and she sang in answer to the men. She was called a prophetess because the Lord used her in a leadership capacity (Micah 6:4).

         God continued to lead Israel to a place of testing: to the bitter waters of Marah (meaning bitter). The people complained against Moses rather than trusting in God. Moses prayed and the Lord immediately gave him instructions. Moses was a good example: it is better to pray rather than complain. God changed the natural element into the supernatural (cf. John 9:6). The bitter water was not replaced, but became sweet, not because of a certain quality of the tree, but by the power of God. This demonstrated God’s care and love for His people and would help them to develop character.

         God promised them that if they were obedient to Him, they would not be touched with the diseases that struck the Egyptians. Along with this promise He gave new revelation of Himself asJehovah Rapheh”, the Lord who heals. God’s people can depend upon Him for their healing just as He healed the bitter water.

         Following this short trial came a longer period of rest at Elim, an oasis in the wilderness, a perfect place to set up camp. God’s loving kindness is abundant! He will always provide the needs of His children!

         Thank You, Lord God, for Your provisions for an oasis in the wilderness. Please keep us faithful “Day unto Day” to our Bible reading and prayer.