Exodus 15: The Song of Moses

After the sea closes over Pharaoh's army, Israel does something that no amount of theological preparation quite prepares you for: they sing.The Song of Moses is the first great hymn of the Bible — a spontaneous eruption of praise from a people who have just witnessed the impossible. "The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation." Miriam takes up a tambourine. The women dance. And the song that erupts on the shore of the Red Sea echoes all the way to the book of Revelation, where the redeemed in heaven sing this same song before the throne of God.In this episode, we explore Exodus chapter 15 in depth. We look at how the Coptic Orthodox Church has preserved this hymn as the first of the Biblical Odes, sung as part of the midnight praises — and traditionally only sung by those who have been baptised, because you cannot sing the song of crossing if you have not crossed. We then travel with Israel to Marah, where the water is bitter and the people grumble, and discover that a tree thrown into the water makes it sweet — a moment the Church has long read as pointing to the cross.And finally, Elim: twelve springs, seventy palms, and rest.Key questions explored:• Why is the Song of Moses sung again in the book of Revelation — and what does this continuity reveal?• How does the Coptic tradition of singing this hymn only after baptism illuminate its spiritual meaning?• What is the theological significance of the tree that sweetened the bitter waters at Marah?• What does it mean that God identifies Himself as "the Lord who heals you" immediately after the miracle at Marah?