Sermon Audio
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Singing Salvation
Exodus 15:1-21
Introduction
1. What we have been doing.
2. Before we move on – We need to see what happened next. Singing Salvation.
3. Look at the Song. We need to notice:
a. That they sang
b. What they sang
c. Who sang.
That they sang
1. What did happen next? V1 “Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord.” Cf v20
a. The song is very carefully positioned. God saves his people – what happens next – his people rejoice in singing.
b. One of the things that God’s redeemed people do, is they sing.
2. This is the first song! God’s saving and redeeming work that is sung about.
3. But it is not the last.
a. Judges 5, The song of Deborah and Barak (Deliverance from Sisera and Jabin)
b. 1 Sam 2:1-10, Hannah sings of her deliverance from barrenness, at the birth of Samuel
c. 2 Sam 22:1-51 David Deliverance from all his enemies.
d. Mary, Zechariah
e. Revelation (Esp 15:3-4)
4. Why a song? Exodus edited highlights – the material is selected for a reason – so why nearly a chapter about singing.
a. We are supposed to notice that God saved, and they sang.
5. Addresses some nagging scruples, or fears that God’s people might have:
a. Utilitarian: Couldn’t we be doing something better with our time– we must be about God’s business – there is a world to save – stop standing around singing and get on with it – Fails to see that God’s glory is his business.[1] And a song of praise is fitting[2] We see God’s saved people sing.
b. Another scruple is the one that goes: If I enjoy it, am I stealing God’s glory? Worship is a duty. There is a danger here – perhaps the experience of singing is more important than what we sing about. But please lets not embrace the idea that if we enjoy it – it cannot be for God’s glory **Kiss) Read these words – I find it impossible to conceive that they are sung dutifully and without delight.
Thinking about singing
1. Singing in particular connects God’s right to be glorified, with our enjoyment of his glory. Singing is one way of connecting “The chief aim of man is to glorify God” with “and enjoy him for ever”[or rather enjoying him now]
A word about singing
1. Emotionalism – carried away with the experience – rather than the truths that we are singing.
2. There is something ‘phony’ about singing of and to the God who saves redeems and delivers; who shows grace and mercy. And remaining unmoved or unengaged.
So
3. When we come to church – distraction – anxieties. (confess)
4. Where we begin “I will sing unto the Lord!” he is worthy of it and deserving of it.
What they sang
The first song responds to Ch 14, and divides roughly in half.
1-12 Some observations:
1. Focuses on God’s person God’s character “highly exalted” “majestic in power” esp 11 “majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders.”
2. Delights in God’s deeds – the main theme – God as a warior who has defeated Pharaoh, the pretender to God’s throne. Exodus that there is only one true God.
3. Particularly notices the decisive nature of God’s work. Why is it all about Pharaoh drowning in the sea? Plagues – not mentioned. Passover not mentioned. That is the final decisive act – now they are free! Redeemed. Rejoices that God has saved and now everything is different.
4. Delights in God’s faithfulness Responds to the fact that God has done what he said he would do “Right hand” v6 (Cf 13:3 and 13:9)
5. Delights in God artfully. It re renders the events of Ch14 in a poetic form. (vf v8 with 14:21)
6. Delighting in God’s uniqueness v11
13-18
1. Scholars say – if you translate 1-12 in the past sense – then really 13-18 is to.
2. Leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling – wasn’t quite that straightforward.
3. Sings about hope. – not so much about the journey we travel, as about the final outcome from God’s purpose.
a. “and grace will lead us home” – the reality from our perspective – there is a lot more that could be said – but from God’s perspective – that outcome is assured.
4. Their hope is:
a. The defeat of their enemies 13-16
b. Their inheritance v17 (Inc Gods’ presence)
c. God’s eternal reign
Application
What shall we sing in church – Three principles – rule of thumb – that ought to govern what we sing…
1) Theologically useful.
a. Sing about God and what he has done.
i. There is a type of worship song – and hymn – where we sing about ourselves far more than about God.
ii. This song – predominantly about God. It does contain “I” and “my” – goes back to singing about God and his deeds.
iii. I am not saying we should never sing about ourselves. The Bible does have songs – where we sing about ourselves – Psalms
iv. I am saying that as we gather, we should always sing about God.
1. Sing only about our love for God, and our in intention to praise him, serve him and please him – we missed something out.
b. As we think about this song as an example – what we see Israel sing:
i. God’s person, God’s deeds, God’s victory, God’s faithfulness, God’s uniquness, Our hope of victory over our enemies, Our inheritance, and enjoyment of God’s eternal reign.
c. So as Christians as we sing those things.. We won’t perhaps sing about Horse and the rider being thrown into the sea. – We will sing about the cross and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
2) Biblically rich
a. Rehearsing of God’s deeds for us requires that we be Biblically rich – where we hear of God’s deeds.
b. Reflection on God’s faithfulness (6) how he has one what he has promised to do -requires that we be Biblically rich – Where do we hear God’s promises?
c. Scripture commands that we be Biblically rich.
i. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Before the Third rule of thumb –
Who sang
1) V1 Moses and the (male) Israelites
2) 20 Miriam and the women (Tambourines & Metal detectors)
a. Song – the same song
3) Why the repetition?
4) Participation The song was such that everyone could join in. God’s people are not sung to – they sing. Participation rather than a performance. Can the congregation join in?
5) Principle three – Congregationally Accessible. Can the congregation join in and sing it. Can they use it to express their own praise? Too complicated – too culturally unaccessable….
**Worshipping with Africans.
Repetition. We are in a tradition that can be suspicious of liturgy – When words are repeated and become too familiar we no longer mean them… so we set them to music
The best songs – must be sung again. , and I suspect again. Become a way that remind one another of the gospel.
Conclusion
What a wonderful privilege those who trust in the Lord Jesus have a song to sing!
Psa 47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
Psa 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
[1] Piper quote “Let the nations be glad” ““Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exist because worship doesn’t.”
[2] Psalm 147:1
