Read: Exodus 15:1-21
As a member of the Lancaster Chorale, our schedule is filled with intense rehearsals for a performance this Spring: Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.” It is an oratorio (like an opera, but no sets or people moving around stage). The music is tricky and powerful. I love the finale. Entitled, “And then Shall Your Light Break Forth,” the song is all about God. One line repeats over and over, “Lord our Creator, how excellent Thy Name in all the nations!” The words bounce back and forth between all the vocal parts, like a huge tennis match. It sums up the entire point of the oratorio – to point out to the world who God is.
THE LAVISH INSET SONG
Think of the song in Exodus 15 as an “inset song”. Like “Light Break Forth”, it sums up the story. In a Broadway musical, an inset song can be the lavish production number at the end of the play. All the cast are center stage, singing full throttle. It brings the house down to thunderous applause. The audience smiles. God smiles when we proclaim Who He is.
MIRIAM & COMPANY BRING THE HOUSE DOWN
Moses’ sister, Miriam and her choristers bring the house down. All creation hears the music ascending to the heavenlies. On earth the surrounding nations quake in their boots. God has done His thing and there is nothing like it. He comes to battle without any help from the Israelites. The job of the Israelites is waiting, waiting and waiting in line and then crossing the dry seabed. God takes care of business. Jesus said, “I tell you, if these [people] keep silent, the stones will cry out [in praise]!” (Luke 19:40). Nothing can silence God’s songs.
GOD IS FORMIDABLE
The lyrics in Genesis 15 contains a lot of theology, the study of God. Spend time and notice everything you can learn about God in this passage. At the same time, notice, there is no mention of Moses’ leadership, the aptitude of the Israelites, or how wonderful they are. This is God’s battle, His triumph, His power alone behind the events. We learn how formidable God is.
THEY CAN’T KEEP SILENT
What about the heart changes in the Israelites? Finally, they begin to claim God as their strength, song and sole salvation. This is not a quick and complete turnaround of heart. They will need to learn this lesson repeatedly. In the infancy of their faith, the Israelites finally proclaim, “This IS my God. I WILL praise Him.” They recognize the God of their ancestors. The Israelites literally can’t keep silent. It does not matter if they are tone deaf or physically deaf. Their mouths open; the music echoes across the universe. God smiles.
How about the surrounding nations who hear this song? They tremble. Anguish and fear grip the Philistines. Dismay and horror rule the day. The inhabitants of Canaan melt away in despair; terror and dread fall on them. They are still as stone. There is no middle ground to stand on.
This song brings the house down with thunderous applause from the universe. God is center stage and on display. No voice can keep quiet.
ARE YOU PART OF THE CHOIR?
Are you part of the chorus on stage singing full throttle, celebrating Who God is and how wonderful He is? Or are you not even in the theater, because you are too busy trying to cross your own Red Sea via your own skills? You see the enemy and are afraid. Remember the reactions of the surrounding nations: anguish, fear, dismay, horror, despair, terror, dread? If this is what is filling your heart right now, read this song and read it again. “Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously and is highly exalted; The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea.” Trust and obey. Let God do His work and sing your heart out!