But the children of Israel went on dry land. Note, The destruction of the wicked serves for a foil to set off the salvation of Israel, and to make it the more illustrious, Isa. 45, 13..15.
(3.) He sets himself to improve this wonderful appearance of God for them. [1.] In order to quicken them to serve God; in consideration of this, (v. 2.) I will prepare him a habitation. God having preserved them, and prepared a covert for them under which they had been safe and easy, they resolve to spare no cost or pains for the erecting of a tabernacle to his honour, and there they will exalt him, and mention, to his praise, the honour he had got upon Pharaoh. God had now exalted them, making them great and high, and therefore they will exalt him, by speaking of his infinite height and grandeur. Note, Our constant endeavour should be, by praising his name and serving his interests, to exalt God: and it is an advancement to us to be so employed. [2.] In order to encourage them to trust in God: so confident is this psalmist of the happy issue of the salvation which was so gloriously begun, that he looks upon it as in effect finished already; (v. 13.) "Thou hast guided to thy holy habitation. Thou hast thus put them into the way to it, and wilt in due time bring them to the end of that way," for God's work is perfect; or, "Thou hast guided them to attend thy holy habitation in heaven with their praises. Note, Those whom God takes under his direction, he will guide to his holy habitation, in faith now, and in fruition shortly.
Two ways, this great deliverance was encouraging.
First, It was such an instance of God's power, as would terrify their enemies, and quite dishearten them, (v. 14..16.) The very tidings of the overthrow of the Egyptians would be more than half the overthrow of all their other enemies; it would sink their spirits, and that would go far toward the sinking of their powers, and interests; the Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, and Canaanites, (with each of which nations Israel was to grapple,) would be alarmed by it, would be quite dispirited, and would conclude it was in vain to fight against Israel, when a God of such power fought for them. It had this effect; the Edomites were afraid of them, (Deut. 2. 4.) so were the Moabites, (Numb. 22. 3.) and. the Canaanites, Josh. 2. 9, 10.—5. 1. Thus God sent his fear before them, (ch. 23. 27.) and cut off the spirit of princes.
Secondly, It was such a beginning of God's favour to them, as gave them an earnest of the perfection of his kindness. This was but in order to something further; (v. 17.) Thou shalt bring them in. If he thus bring them out of Egypt, notwithstanding their unworthiness, and the difficulties that lay in the way of their escape, doubtless, he will bring them into Canaan; for has he begun, (so begun,) and will he not make an end? Note, Our experiences of God's power and favour should be improved for the support of our expectations; "Thou hast—therefore not only thou canst, but we trust thou wilt," is good arguing. Observe, Thou wilt plant them in the place which thou hast made for thee to dwell in. Note, It is good dwelling where God dwells, in his church on earth, (Ps. 27. 4.) in his church in heaven, John 17. 24. When he says, "This is my rest for ever," we should say, "Let it be our's."
Lastly, The great ground of the encouragement which they draw from this work of wonder, is, v. 18, The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. They had now seen an end of Pharaoh's reign; but time itself shall not put a period to Jehovah's reign, which, like himself, is eternal, and not subject to change. Note, It is the unspeakable comfort of all God's faithful subjects, not only that he does reign universally, and with an incontestable sovereignty, but that he will reign eternally, and there shall be no end of his dominion.
II. The solemn singing of this song, v. 20, 21. Miriam (or Mary, it is the same name) presided in an assembly of the women, who, (according to the softness of their sex, and the common usage of those times for expressing joy) with timbrels and dances, sang this song. Moses led the psalm, and gave it out for the men, and then Miriam for the women: famous victories were wont to be applauded by the daughters of Israel; (1 Sam. 18. 6, 7.) so was this: when God brought Israel out of Egypt, it is said, (Mic. 6. 4.) He sent before them Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, though we read not of any thing remarkable that Miriam did but this.*[1] But those are to be reckoned great blessings to a people, who assist them, and go before them, in praising God.
22. So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; and they went out into the wilderness of Shur: and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25. And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26. And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. 27. And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm-trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
It should seem, it was with some difficulty that Moses prevailed with Israel to leave that triumphant shore on which they sang the foregoing song. They were so taken up either with the sight, or with the song, or with the spoiling of the dead bodies, that they cared not to go forward, but Moses with much ado brought them from the Red-sea into a wilderness: the pleasures of our way to Canaan must not retard our progress, but quicken it, though we have a wilderness before us. Now here we are told,
I. That in the wilderness of Shur they had no water, v. 22. This was a sore trial to the young travellers, and an allay to their joy; thus God would train them up to difficulties; David, in a dry and thirsty land where no water is, reaches forth toward God, Ps. 63. 1.
II. That at Marah they had water, but it was bitter, so that though they had been three days
- ↑ * Our author had either, for the moment, overlooked the circumstances recorded in the 12th of Numbers; or, by the term remarkable he must have meant what was worthy both to be noticed by the reader, and also to have been done by Miriam.—Ed.
