Why did the Israelites sing the Song of Moses, found in Exodus 15? Short answer: Change of fears. 

Chapter 14 of Exodus is about crossing the Red Sea.  The people knew the plagues the LORD brought upon Egypt, including the Passover protection of their firstborn.  They had seen the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.  But they had not yet lost their fearful slave mentality; they were still in bondage.  When Pharaoh with all his chariots and soldiers drew near to the Israelite encampment, they “feared greatly” and complained bitterly, “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”  Moses called them forward, “Fear not, stand firm, be quiet, watch how the LORD fights for you.”

God’s fight included at least two miracles, lumped together to produce the famous parting of the Red Sea waters.  Miracle One was a cloud that separated the pursuing Egyptians from the fleeing Israelites all night while Miracle Two could work – a strong east wind that blew many hours to back up the sea waters and make a dry path.

The Hebrews hustled across.  After they cleared, the waters started leaking.  As the cloud moved, the Egyptians pursued.  Their chariots and horsemen were bogged down in the newly re-moistened riverbed.  God called Moses to raise his hand, causing the full waters to return, covering and destroying the entrapped Egyptians. 

When Israel saw the Egyptian army dead on the shore, they realized they had truly been set free.  They grasped the irrevocable reality of their deliverance; they understood the commitment of God to save them.  They “saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.  Then Moses and the people sang.”

They had their dreadful fear of the Egyptians removed and gained an awe-filled fear of the LORD.

 

Thanks to Pastor Dale Vandyke.