God’s Renewing Word of Joy
Introduction
Exodus 15:19-27: Today’s reading includes the song of Moses’s sister Miriam, who leads the women in singing and dancing. After passing through the waters of the Red Sea, Moses leads the people into the desert. The people complain because they have gone without water for three days. They arrive at Marah, and the LORD instructs Moses on how to make the bitter water fit to drink.
Scripture Reading
The Song of Miriam
19 The Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. But when the Egyptian chariots with their horses and drivers went into the sea, the Lord brought the water back, and it covered them.
20 The prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took her tambourine, and all the women followed her, playing tambourines and dancing. 21 Miriam sang for them:
“Sing to the Lord, because he has won a glorious victory;
he has thrown the horses and their riders into the sea.”
Bitter Water
22 Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea into the desert of Shur. For three days they walked through the desert, but found no water. 23 Then they came to a place called Marah, but the water there was so bitter that they could not drink it. That is why it was named Marah.[a] 24 The people complained to Moses and asked, “What are we going to drink?” 25 Moses prayed earnestly to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood, which he threw into the water; and the water became fit to drink.
There the Lord gave them laws to live by, and there he also tested them. 26 He said, “If you will obey me completely by doing what I consider right and by keeping my commands, I will not punish you with any of the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians. I am the Lord, the one who heals you.”
27 Next they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees; there they camped by the water.
TODAY’S KEY VERSE: Exodus 15:21
Miriam sang for them: “Sing to the LORD, because he has won a glorious victory; he has thrown the horses and their riders into the sea.”
Reflect
The Israelites danced and sang after God delivered them from the Egyptians. How will you praise God today? How did God provide for the Israelites after they complained? What did the LORD promise (verse 26)?
Pray
Gracious God, I trust in your promises and in your steadfast love and care. You are with me each day, guiding me, providing for my needs, and sustaining me with your Word. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
And now, join us praying for Christians in Burkina Faso who risk being persecuted for studying the Bible. Lord God, believers in Burkina Faso face risks and rifts within their families when they seek to live a faithful life, grounded in your Word. But thanks to Bible Society supporters, they are able to receive their first Bibles, enabling them to grow in knowledge of you. Their relationship with you, Lord God, has become strong and their spiritual life is blossoming and their love for you is increasing day by day. We pray, dear God, for continued efforts to distribute Scripture and engage people in your Word throughout West Africa. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Exodus 16:1-21: The LORD provides the Israelites with food in the desert.