Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 9: 23-24).
Praise is comely (beautiful), and contrary to popular opinion, it is not reserved for use only in a church service. We can lift God’s name in honor and rejoice in His works anywhere and anytime. Our lesson today is about Moses and his sister Miriam when they praised God after God’s deliverance from Pharaoh's army after crossing the Red Sea. Look carefully and note that the praise given was not directed toward anything Moses or the people had done - It was all directed to God. They didn’t have to look hard to find magnificent things to say. God had given them plenty of grace and provision! Do you live a life of praise? Would your life, if written down, be an example to those around you? As you study, decide if you, too, might have reason to be a leader of praise. Let’s dig in!
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.
Moses and his sister Miriam crossed the Red Sea on dry land along with two million former Israelite slaves leaving Egypt. While they looked on, their enemy drowned in the Sea as it fell back into place. An unbelievable miracle! God had told Moses in advance that this miracle would let the Egyptians “know that He (God) is the Lord.”
God remembered His promise to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and He kept His word. The descendants of Abraham have been in Egypt for 400 years, and this was the birth of their nation.
And he (God) said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. (Genesis 15: 13-14).
And they left with great substance! And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty. But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians. (Exodus 3:20-22).
However, after the Israelites left Egypt, Pharaoh changed his mind and went after them in full force to drag them back. As the Egyptians approached, the people were trapped or tangled up in the land, just as God had said they would be.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so. (Exodus14:1-4).
And even though the people paniced when they saw the great armies of Pharoah coming after them, God told them to go forward and instructs Moses stretch his Rod out over the sea. The waters parted. It took them all night to cross. When they were safely over, the children of Israel turned around to see 600 chariots of Egypt, and the greatest army in the world, following them into midst of the water. Moses stretched out his Rod again to close the pathway, killing all of the Egyptians.
Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. (Exodus 15: 4-10).
Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
The chariots and captains, were brought out purposefully to intimidate and strike fear in the children of Israel’s hearts. If the Egyptians reached them, many would be killed and any remaining would suffer and be taken back into slavery. They were all now at the bottom of the sea, completely and utterly destroyed. God delivered Israel when even they could not see the way of escape. Israel was not sad about the death of the Egyptians, and they were thrilled with the deliverance of God. The children of Israel rejoiced. They have been redeemed and saved from the bondage and death. All they did was simply follow Moses, and Moses followed God. Against the odds, against what things looked like, they surrendered completely and trusted a personal relationship between God and Moses. Who is like our God? There is only One; there is none else. Do you know Him? Praise begins here.
The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O Lord, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. (Exodus 15: 14-16).
Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.
Praise is comely. Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. (Psalm 147:1).
Praise has an affect on those around us. Many nations around Israel would indeed hear of the things that God had done in Egypt. Praise travels. Praise lifts up God, His deeds, His goodness, His power, His authority, and every attribute of His being. Despite limited ability, and words that fall short of the excellence that is God, praise expresses thankfulness, respect, reverence, and gratitude for all He has done and all He has said He will do. The children of Israel sing praise, talk praise, walk in praise, praise in music, and praise in dance, praise as a nation, praise individually, praise loudly, quietly, and openly. These same limitless methods to bring glorify and honor to the creator God, are available to us all.
For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. (Exodus 15:19).
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Praise is not limited (there is never too much praise to give), and it can be overwhelming. Nothing was left alive, man or beast, to harm them. The honor belonged to God and so they danced, and sang, and praised and were thankful! Scripture repeatedly tells us to praise, with our whole heart. Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 150).
Are you a leader of Praise? What does that even mean in today’s culture? Praise in a church service is wonderful; however, don’t limit praise to a place. Praise is so much more. It is a life style and the attitude of a grateful heart in the true believer. Depressed, sad, or lonely? Praise. Tired, weak, vulnerable? Praise. Happy, carefree, peaceful? Praise! Place praise as the priority in your everyday walk. The scriptures give us many examples of recorded prayers of praise, including songs of praise, reflections on praise, and praise of thanksgiving.
How often do we meditate upon what we have survived, experienced, or overcome? How did God do those things in your life? How would it feel to let loose of the formal, religious notions that hold us back and simply freely abandon formality in utter delight of the benefits, love, and goodness that is God. God delights when we earnestly seek to know and understand Him. Doing so will help us know ourselves better as well. With a grateful praise mindset, we encourage others, become a living witness to the graciousness of God. Most importantly, we please God and give credit where credit is due. To be a leader of praise, you simply praise. You’ll get the hang of it and it will catch on. Most importantly, It will make your heavenly Father smile! Try it!
Thank you for studying with us! God bless!
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