WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.440 on the mountain of your inheritance, the place, O Lord, you made for your dwelling, 00:00:06.160 --> 00:00:14.660 the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established. The Lord will reign forever and ever. 00:00:15.700 --> 00:00:17.539 So far the reading of God's word. 00:00:20.179 --> 00:00:27.039 Well, this song of Moses, this song of the sea, is at the very center of the book of Exodus. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:35.899 But more than that, brothers and sisters, it is really basically the national anthem of God's people, of Israel. 00:00:36.519 --> 00:00:42.079 It's a triumphant celebration of the defining event of her history. 00:00:43.179 --> 00:00:47.859 And so because of the work of our Savior who has grafted us onto that vine, 00:00:48.659 --> 00:00:52.420 it too is a song about the defining event of our history. 00:00:52.420 --> 00:00:58.740 And as we think about the end of this calendar year and the beginning of 2024, 00:00:58.740 --> 00:01:03.880 it's good for us to think about defining events, foundational truths. 00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:07.700 It's always helpful to go back to the very basics. 00:01:08.439 --> 00:01:10.480 And so that's what we want to do here. 00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:15.460 As we see in Exodus 15, this is a great song of doxology, 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:18.960 which means a song of thanksgiving and praise to God. 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:21.599 And the redeemed sang it in the past. 00:01:22.919 --> 00:01:26.500 And as we will see, God's people will sing it in the future. 00:01:27.739 --> 00:01:29.259 And we sing it today. 00:01:29.979 --> 00:01:32.819 It's a choir practice for eternity. 00:01:33.859 --> 00:01:37.259 Most of you will remember the story of the Exodus, of course, 00:01:37.339 --> 00:01:39.419 but we want to just recap it here briefly. 00:01:40.060 --> 00:01:44.799 Moses has appealed to Pharaoh to let God's people go. 00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:50.539 Let them go in the name of God, in the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:52.879 But Pharaoh refuses. 00:01:53.780 --> 00:01:55.519 His heart grows hard. 00:01:56.340 --> 00:01:59.519 And at each point, each appeal and then refusal, 00:02:00.099 --> 00:02:03.259 God sends a plague to further harden the heart of Pharaoh. 00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:09.360 And these plagues are, in fact, contests with the Egyptian gods, 00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:15.340 battles in which the true God mocks the false gods of the Egyptian pantheon. 00:02:16.440 --> 00:02:21.200 We sort of see that, for example, Hopi, the god of the Nile, 00:02:21.320 --> 00:02:25.120 is slain, as it were, as the river is turned to blood. 00:02:26.400 --> 00:02:30.660 Amen-Ra is the great sun god, slain, as it were, 00:02:30.980 --> 00:02:33.020 when the land is plunged into darkness. 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:42.900 And so, in each plague here, God is announcing, 00:02:43.620 --> 00:02:48.219 I am the Lord, not Pharaoh, but Yahweh. 00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:51.219 Yahweh alone is King of kings and Lord of lords. 00:02:51.600 --> 00:02:54.200 There is no pretender to my throne. 00:02:55.980 --> 00:02:58.160 Blood is then put on the doorposts, 00:02:58.159 --> 00:03:01.139 and all who have that blood on the doorposts are saved, 00:03:01.699 --> 00:03:07.199 as the avenging angel passes over the houses of Israel. 00:03:08.079 --> 00:03:09.840 And we see from the beginning, then, 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:12.199 already biblical religion is bloody. 00:03:13.259 --> 00:03:14.759 It's a religion of the cross. 00:03:16.340 --> 00:03:19.579 Egypt's firstborn are devoted to God in destruction, 00:03:19.819 --> 00:03:22.280 whereas Israel, the firstborn of Yahweh, 00:03:22.859 --> 00:03:24.840 is devoted to deliverance. 00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:28.140 And finally, with Pharaoh's permission, then, 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:29.860 Israel begins to move out. 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:32.920 After centuries of slavery, 00:03:34.300 --> 00:03:35.719 perhaps a million adults, 00:03:35.900 --> 00:03:38.240 some three to five million Hebrews in total. 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:41.240 We'll pick up the story reading, then, 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:43.560 from Exodus 14, verse 10. 00:03:44.920 --> 00:03:46.360 When Pharaoh drew near, 00:03:46.480 --> 00:03:48.580 the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, 00:03:48.699 --> 00:03:50.560 and behold, the Egyptians... 00:03:54.840 --> 00:04:04.599 the Bohemian 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:06.800 and all the Christians, 00:04:06.800 --> 00:04:07.719 the one who died of living by the monster. 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:08.360 Hallelujah. 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:10.560 By the time độ that may benel. 00:04:12.020 --> 00:04:12.759 And there we both try to give some av particle 00:04:12.759 --> 00:04:13.920 their history. 00:04:14.219 --> 00:04:15.800 It's been a beautiful awesome update 00:04:16.180 --> 00:04:17.879 where people can make me davon respond to this story 00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:19.019 and vote the Claricides that we have около 45, 00:04:19.019 --> 00:04:20.379 where we can make it great Australia. 00:04:20.660 --> 00:04:21.620 And right пов radio the country 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:23.439 in the industry which is trying to see 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:24.399 the results of America's right now. 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:54.819 Thank you. 00:04:54.839 --> 00:05:24.819 Thank you. 00:05:24.839 --> 00:05:54.819 Thank you. 00:05:54.839 --> 00:06:24.819 Thank you. 00:06:24.839 --> 00:06:54.819 Thank you. 00:06:54.839 --> 00:07:24.819 Thank you. 00:07:24.839 --> 00:07:26.839 Thank you. 00:07:54.839 --> 00:07:58.739 When you read the text, they have to be dragged out of Egypt, remarkably. 00:07:58.740 --> 00:08:06.519 No one comes to the Father unless he draws him, and that's true here as well. 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:14.519 Despite all that Israel has already seen God do in the plagues, Israel is much more impressed 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:20.299 with the Egyptian hosts, with Pharaoh in the lead chariot leading his army than it is with 00:08:20.300 --> 00:08:21.300 its own God. 00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:56.299 And again, sight, and again, sight anticipates the promise of salvation. 00:08:56.299 --> 00:09:02.299 Here's the promise of God has pushed the situation to the brink. 00:09:02.299 --> 00:09:20.219 God has pushed the situation so far in this contest between himself and the false gods of Egypt that there is no hope for Israel unless Israel gets out of the way so that God can do something. 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:22.220 And he does. 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:24.220 And he does. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:30.220 In the midst of judgment, the judgment that God sends against Egypt, there is grace for Israel. 00:09:30.220 --> 00:09:46.519 Despite all of the groaning, the complaining, the grumbling, all of the failures of God's people, we read in chapter 14, verse 19, the angel of the Lord will be Israel's guide. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:51.519 You know, this is no angel in the typical sense, though. 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:59.519 This angel of the Lord, identified here and at various places in the Old Testament, is in fact the pre-incarnate Christ. 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:03.519 This angel of the Lord is in fact Yahweh himself. 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:16.519 There's also the pillar of cloud and of fire in the story, which is a reference to the Holy Spirit, as a number of passages confirm for us. 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:26.519 This is Deuteronomy 32 or Isaiah 63 or Haggai 2 or Nehemiah 9 and others as well. 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:39.519 This glory cloud of the Exodus is in fact the Holy Spirit who shelters his people through the sea like an eagle spreading its wings. 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:59.519 The same glory spirit who hovers over the face of the waters in Genesis 1, who on the other side of this Exodus, which is a kind of creation event, hovers over Israel throughout its wanderings in the wilderness to bring them into the land of promise. 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:08.519 And it's also this Holy Spirit who will later fill the temple wrapped in the glory cloud, the presence of God. 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:15.519 And while one day this angel of the Lord would be clothed in our flesh, hiding his glory in our humanity. 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:18.519 What you see here then is a wonderful picture. 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:21.519 Our triune God is at work in the Exodus. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:24.519 I don't know if you often think about that. 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:36.519 The Father reigning in heaven with the pre-incarnate Christ leading his troops just as Pharaoh is leading his own forces. 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:43.519 And the pillar of cloud and fire, the presence of the Holy Spirit to lead the people when they've been delivered from Pharaoh's hand. 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:56.519 You see, wherever Yahweh appears, this angel of the Lord, this pillar of cloud and fire, wherever God appears, there is judgment and deliverance. 00:11:56.519 --> 00:12:02.519 And here on earth, Moses is commissioned to represent God in heaven. 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:09.519 And as long as Moses holds his hands up, keeps his hands raised, the seas divide. 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:19.519 And a wall of water is formed on both sides. 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:23.519 And there is dry land for the Israelites to pass through. 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:28.519 And then the Holy Spirit comes and puts wheel clamps on all of the chariots. 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:32.519 He jams the spokes so they can't move. 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:35.519 The Egyptians are confused. 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:36.519 They're fearful. 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:37.519 They panic. 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:42.519 All that they can do is say, let us flee for Yahweh. 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:47.519 The God of Israel fights for Israel against us. 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:52.519 But again, Israel too is panicking and confused and fearful. 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:54.519 And you can just imagine them watching. 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:56.519 Wait, wait, why are they leaving? 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:59.519 We haven't done anything. 00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:02.519 No, God has done something. 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:04.519 They're terrified of him. 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:05.519 They're fleeing Yahweh. 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:08.519 God has done it. 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:09.519 God has acted. 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:12.519 All of this sets the stage then. 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:16.519 We have this great song of Moses after this event. 00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:19.519 This song of the sea in Exodus 15. 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:22.519 Divided basically into two parts. 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:25.519 Exodus, first of all. 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:26.519 Exodus 15. 00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:32.519 And then the march of God's people towards Sinai and finally Canaan. 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:37.519 Exodus and then settlement in the promised land. 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:42.519 Verses 1 through 8 give us the event of the Exodus in poetry. 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:44.519 In song. 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:49.519 Now singing the mighty deeds of God into the very hearts of God's people. 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:53.519 This is why we sing the mighty deeds of God today. 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:56.519 So that we sing them into our hearts. 00:13:56.519 --> 00:14:00.519 And even the elements of creation here are included in that triumph. 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:04.519 The depths of the sea are witnesses to what God has done. 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:07.519 The victory that he has achieved. 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:13.519 It's not a song at all about Moses or even about Israel. 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:15.519 It's a song about the God of Israel. 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:19.519 It's a song about Yahweh who has triumphed. 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:22.519 Who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:30.519 Who stretches out, the song says, his right arm to achieve victory for his people. 00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:34.519 That right arm is the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:38.519 Described as the right hand of God who secures victory. 00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:43.519 As Psalm 118 puts it, echoing this song. 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:46.519 There are sounds of joyful singing. 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:50.519 The right hand of the Lord performs valiantly. 00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:56.519 Then as many have pointed out after this, you have a kind of call and response in the Song of the Sea. 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:58.519 It's antiphonal. 00:14:58.519 --> 00:15:03.519 It's if you've ever watched a musical or seen an opera. 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:07.519 You have characters singing their lines, their chorus. 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:11.519 And then their antagonist sings their line, their chorus. 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:14.519 That's what goes on here. 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.519 The enemy chorus. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:18.519 Pharaoh and his army have their lines. 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:20.519 Verse 9. 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:22.519 The enemy said, I will pursue. 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.519 I will overtake. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:25.519 I will divide the spoil. 00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:28.519 My desire shall have its fill of them. 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:30.519 I will draw my sword. 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:32.519 My hand shall destroy them. 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:35.519 Then we have the other chorus. 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:38.519 The chorus of Israel singing to God. 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:41.519 Verse 10. 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:42.519 What a line. 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:45.519 You blew with your breath. 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:50.519 Breath here. 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:53.519 The Hebrew word ruach can be translated spirit. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:56.519 You blew with your spirit. 00:15:56.519 --> 00:16:01.519 You see the spirit, by the way, loves to dabble with water. 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:09.519 In creation, in the Exodus, in baptism, as we'll see, you blew with your spirit. 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:11.519 The sea covered them. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:14.519 They sank like lead in the mighty waters. 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:21.519 For all of the pride, the pomp, the pageantry of Pharaoh leading the greatest army in the ancient world. 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:24.519 What's the picture here? 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:28.519 God simply blows them over with his breath. 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.519 You see the sarcasm. 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:31.519 You see God's humor. 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:34.519 I'll just topple him with a breath of air. 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:37.519 Verse 11. 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:40.519 Who's like you, O Lord, among the gods? 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:45.519 Who's like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:50.519 You stretched out your right hand, and the earth swallowed them. 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:54.519 Well, all of the emphasis on the song is on what God has done. 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:56.519 The victory that God has wrought. 00:16:56.519 --> 00:17:00.519 What he has achieved over the proud boasts of Pharaoh and his army. 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:04.519 And so, too, over the serpent and his hosts. 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:06.519 That's the first part of the song. 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:09.519 Then, secondly, we have the march. 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:11.519 The march towards Canaan. 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:14.519 The nations have heard. 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:19.519 The peoples have heard, we read, verses 14 and 15. 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:23.519 The inhabitants of Philistia and Edom and Moab. 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:27.519 God has gained a great victory here, and the word is getting out. 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:30.519 You know, people are reading the newspaper. 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:34.519 News of this terrifying God of majesty and power. 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:37.519 The God who does wonders. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:42.519 The God who comes in judgment and delivers his people. 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:49.519 And then this song continues, showing us that Exodus is, in fact, not just departure, leaving Egypt. 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:54.519 But, in fact, it's the first leg of a new itinerary. 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:57.519 Of arrival in the land of Canaan. 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:59.519 The land of promise. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:01.519 A new garden. 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.519 A new garden. 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.519 A better garden. 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:06.519 One flowing with milk and honey. 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:10.519 The goal of all of it is expressed at the end of the song. 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.519 Verse 17. 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:16.519 You will bring them in and plant them on your mountain. 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:22.519 The place, Lord, you've made for your sanctuary, which your hands established. 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:27.519 And we know that God's people, Israel, do arrive on that mountain. 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:31.519 In that land, they march from Egypt to Sinai. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:35.519 Mount Sinai, where a marriage takes place. 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:38.519 Between God and Israel in the desert. 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:42.519 But Mount Sinai is only a way station. 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:46.519 A temporary pit stop on the pilgrimage to another mountain. 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.519 Mount Zion. 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.519 Jerusalem. 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:53.519 That is the entire goal of the people in the Exodus. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:58.519 So that they can worship their God with him in the land. 00:18:58.519 --> 00:19:04.519 And in Deuteronomy 32, verse 44, we have reference again to this song of Moses. 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:06.519 The song of the sea. 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:09.519 This time, spoken by Joshua. 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:12.519 Who leads the people after Moses. 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:14.519 Across another body of water. 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.519 The river Jordan. 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:18.519 To plant them in that land. 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:21.519 And the song of the sea, then, of departure from Egypt. 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:24.519 And of journeying to Sinai and Zion. 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:27.519 To be planted on the mountain of God. 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.519 In the land of promise. 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.519 Continues. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.519 It echoes. 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:33.519 Again and again throughout the scriptures. 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:36.519 It fills the Psalms. 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:39.519 In double pairs. 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.519 Psalm 77. 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:42.519 Which we sang in 78. 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:45.519 And Psalm 105 and 106. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:47.519 Among many other Psalms. 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:50.519 This song of Moses is picked up. 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:52.519 It's sung again by God's people. 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:56.519 Albeit with sad irony. 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:59.519 God was gracious to Israel. 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:02.519 God worked miracles with ease against her enemies. 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:05.519 He continued to bless his people. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:08.519 He set them into the land of promise. 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:11.519 And then Israel grew unfaithful to the Lord. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:14.519 They became like the enemy nations. 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:16.519 That they were to drive out. 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:19.519 Well, that's the pull of their hearts. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:21.519 Isn't that too often? 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:23.519 The pull of our hearts. 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.519 To drift. 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.519 To forget. 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.519 To forget. 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.519 To forget. 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:38.519 To forget the absolute claim of God as our covenant Lord over us. 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:40.519 And so we read in Hosea 6. 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:44.519 Like Adam, Israel broke my covenant. 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.519 God says. 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:48.519 Though I was a husband to her. 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:50.519 And she is exiled. 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:52.519 Carried away into captivity. 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:54.519 And Psalm 78. 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.519 Thinking of this. 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.519 Says. 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.519 Despite all of God's provision. 00:20:57.519 --> 00:21:02.519 They sinned and did not believe his wonders. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:05.519 But thinking of that song of the sea in the Psalter. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:08.519 That same passage continues. 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:11.519 The Lord is compassionate. 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:14.519 He covers iniquity. 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:16.519 He is faithful. 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:19.519 When we are unfaithful. 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:21.519 What he has done in the past. 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.519 He will do again in the present. 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.519 And in the future. 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:26.519 You see, Israel continues to fail. 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:30.519 Yet God himself will again come down to deliver them. 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:33.519 Stooping even further this time. 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:35.519 Not just in the pre-incarnate Christ. 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:38.519 But in God the Son taking on our flesh. 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:41.519 He will descend. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:43.519 He will do it to deliver his people. 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:46.519 Because there's no one else to do it. 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:49.519 No one else who's perfect in obedience. 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:52.519 He will cleanse the land. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.519 He will deliver Israel. 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:56.519 He will bring them into that Sabbath rest. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:22:00.519 It's a great victory that he will achieve. 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:03.519 As Exodus 15.3 says. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:05.519 Yahweh is a warrior. 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.519 Isaiah 59. 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:09.519 Isaiah 59. 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.519 Picking up this theme. 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.519 Declares. 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:14.519 His own arm brings salvation. 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:17.519 He puts on righteousness as a breastplate. 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:20.519 The helmet of salvation is on his head. 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:23.519 He puts on garments of vengeance for clothing. 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:26.519 He wraps himself in zeal as a cloak. 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:30.519 For he will cause a redeemer to come out of Zion. 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:35.519 Then we read in Isaiah chapter 11. 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:40.519 The Lord will devote to destruction all the tongues of the sea of Egypt. 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:45.519 He will wave his hand over the river with his scorching breath. 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:47.519 His spirit. 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:50.519 He'll lead his people across with dry feet. 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:56.519 And there will be a highway from Assyria for the remnant that remains of his people. 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:59.519 As there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:08.519 There will be a remnant in that day even greater than all of the people of Israel who left Egypt in the Exodus. 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:14.519 And we know that there was a return of exiles from captivity. 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:20.519 Which looks like another Exodus at first glance. 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:22.519 But when you read through the prophets. 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:24.519 When you read through Ezra and Nehemiah. 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:31.519 You quickly realize that this falls far short of the glory of that second Exodus that has been promised. 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:34.519 There still is to come a greater Exodus. 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:38.519 A greater land of promise that awaits. 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:45.519 But the scriptures reveal to us that in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ we find that true Exodus. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:51.519 The one in whom there is salvation through judgment and mercy. 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:54.519 In Luke chapter 4 and chapter 9. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.519 In Luke chapter 4 and chapter 9. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:24:00.519 Jesus declares to us how he has come to provide a new Exodus. 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:05.519 That will result in release from the bondage of Satan. 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.519 The serpent. 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:08.519 Freedom from the curse of death. 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:12.519 So that his people at last can arrive. 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:15.519 God can come to that promised land. 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:17.519 Can enter into that glorious rest. 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:22.519 Can receive all of the inheritance that is theirs in him. 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:26.519 And so worship God truly and fully in his presence. 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:29.519 And just like in Exodus 15. 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:31.519 The song of the sea. 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:36.519 Creation itself bears witness to this deliverance in Jesus Christ. 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.519 Doesn't it? 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:41.519 We know in the death of Christ. 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:45.519 The earth was plunged into darkness. 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:47.519 In Joel 2. 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:49.519 Speaking of Pentecost. 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.519 We read, 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:53.519 I will show wonders in the heavens, the Lord says. 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:56.519 And in the earth, blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:58.519 The sun shall be turned to darkness. 00:24:58.519 --> 00:25:02.519 The moon into blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:06.519 And so too Jesus tells us. 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.519 In Matthew 24. 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:10.519 In those last days, he says, 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:14.519 The sun shall be darkened and the moon will not give its light. 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:16.519 The stars will fall from heaven. 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:18.519 The powers of the heavens will be shaken. 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:21.519 For they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds. 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.519 With power. 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:24.519 With great glory. 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.519 For the sun shall be taken. 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:27.519 Just watch God deliver his people. 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:32.519 He alone brings judgment and deliverance. 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:37.519 And for all who rest in that work of Jesus Christ. 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:40.519 It's the resurrection that is the final exodus. 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:48.160 Exodus, when our Savior, the firstborn from the dead, has now crossed over into that promised land. 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:55.279 And he's gone there, he tells us, to prepare a place for us. And he won't fail to bring us 00:25:55.279 --> 00:26:03.420 with him. The Apostle Paul has all this in mind when he reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:10.059 that Israel's identification with Moses is a type of our identification with Jesus Christ. 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:19.900 He says, Israel was baptized into Moses in the Red Sea, so too are we baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:29.420 You know, they walked through the tsunami waters of God's judgment on dry land. And so too, 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:36.059 Christ endured the waters of judgment, as it were, on the cross, bearing God's wrath against sin for us. 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:46.200 And he came out alive on the other side. And then he created a wall. A wall emerges on both sides as 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:52.859 Christ lifts up his hands in salvation and deliverance, interceding at the right hand of the 00:26:52.859 --> 00:27:03.379 Father. And we walk through on dry ground. Baptism then corresponds not only to circumcision, 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:07.560 but to the Exodus. These same waters of judgment 00:27:07.560 --> 00:27:15.880 can bring salvation for others. A passageway is opened either to Zion 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:22.860 or to a watery grave. For all who embrace the promise, 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:28.540 it's saving. But for all who reject it, it brings only condemnation. 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:37.259 And we see this too with Noah and the ark. And then the Apostle Peter. The Apostle Peter has this 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:44.879 same song very much in mind in 1 Peter, alluding over and over to the Exodus when he says, 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:51.659 baptism saves you. Not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward 00:27:51.659 --> 00:27:57.980 God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the one who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand 00:27:57.980 --> 00:28:05.420 of God with angels, authorities and powers subject to him. It's the angel of the Lord who fights for his 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:13.339 people, who took on human flesh and won victory for all of his people, who crushed the serpent's head, 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:23.240 who enters the gates of Jerusalem as the conqueror. And through our waters of union with him, we too escape judgment. 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:31.940 The final episode that draws all of this to a close comes to us in Revelation, the book of the 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:39.640 Revelation chapter 15, where the song of the sea, the song of Moses, is sung once more, this time in the 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:48.880 heavenly courtroom. In Revelation, we have, of course, plagues, many plagues after which the angel comes 00:28:48.880 --> 00:29:00.720 announcing the establishment of God, very much like the plagues of God in Egypt, after which the kingdom of God, 00:29:00.800 --> 00:29:08.740 as it were, is established, first at Mount Sinai and then more fully in the land. Satan is expelled from heaven, 00:29:08.840 --> 00:29:16.760 just as Pharaoh has been expelled from the earth. And now Satan is seeking out the church to persecute it because he knows his 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:21.319 time is short. But you see, the outcome of the battle is guaranteed. 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:25.500 And so in Revelation 15, we read, 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:33.400 I saw another great and marvelous sign in heaven, seven angels with seven final plagues with which the wrath of God is completed. 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:42.900 And then I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, beside which stood those who had conquered the beast 00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:51.880 and its image and the number of its name. Here you see the violent Red Sea has been turned into a tranquil sea of glass. 00:29:53.960 --> 00:30:00.920 They were holding harps from God. They sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb. 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:08.560 Great and wonderful are your works, O Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations. 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:14.539 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:21.060 All the nations shall come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed. 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:31.220 You see, the God of the Exodus, the angel of the Lord incarnate, now in the flesh has passed through those waters of judgment. 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:36.359 He has arrived victorious in the true and greater Canaan. 00:30:37.179 --> 00:30:43.659 He has rightly claimed the prize of salvation, the promised land in the new heavens and new earth, 00:30:44.399 --> 00:30:46.039 everlasting Sabbath rest. 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:50.259 And now here, before the throne of God, 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:55.299 this joyful singing of the song of Moses, the song of the sea, 00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:58.720 becomes also the song of the Lamb, 00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:05.859 the Lord who became servant in our Savior Jesus Christ. 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:11.920 Well, this is a great defining event for us, isn't it, loved ones? 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:15.639 We are to marvel at who our God is. 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:22.220 Our entire theology is to be Eucharistic, which means filled with thanksgiving, 00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:27.240 filled with gratitude and praise for who our God is, 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:33.899 for all that he's done for us, all that he is doing for us, all that he shall do for us. 00:31:33.900 --> 00:31:39.040 I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously. 00:31:40.040 --> 00:31:42.640 The horse and his rider he's thrown into the sea. 00:31:43.900 --> 00:31:46.259 This is my God, and I will praise him. 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:49.380 My Father's God, and I will exalt him. 00:31:50.340 --> 00:31:53.320 May this be the song in our hearts, 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:56.600 both today and for all of the new year. 00:31:56.599 --> 00:31:59.139 Let's pray. 00:31:59.140 --> 00:32:09.160 Lord our God, our Father in heaven, 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:13.300 we thank you that you are indeed King of kings and great Lord of lords, 00:32:13.840 --> 00:32:18.220 that all of the little kingdoms, all of the pretenders of this world, 00:32:18.780 --> 00:32:21.060 shall be knocked down someday. 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:24.220 We know that they shall bow before you 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:29.139 as you bring in by your spirit the kingdom of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:32:30.399 --> 00:32:35.299 We thank you that in him you still bring your people through waters from death to life, 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:37.019 as you have always done. 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:41.240 We pray that you would give us hearts then that trust in you, 00:32:41.339 --> 00:32:45.619 that sing your praise, that are eager to take on our lips this song of the sea, 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:47.900 and so delight in you. 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:54.940 Help us then, Lord, having been filled with a wonderful picture of who you are, 00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:57.980 to go out into our callings in the world with greater wonder, 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:59.200 greater astonishment, 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:01.259 greater amazement, 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:02.700 not only with your power, 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:04.759 but with your love, 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:07.140 with your provision, 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:09.400 with your deliverance. 00:33:10.440 --> 00:33:12.700 Make us a grateful people, we pray. 00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:16.379 Hear us, for we ask these things in Christ's name. 00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:17.460 Amen. 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:26.319 Our final song of praise is, I gather, 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:29.200 perhaps a new hymn to many of us here, 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:31.379 one written by John Newton, 00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:33.240 who of course wrote Amazing Grace, 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:34.940 and many other wonderful hymns. 00:33:35.620 --> 00:33:37.700 Let us love and sing and wonder. 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:39.640 Let us praise the Savior's name. 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:41.880 So if you'd please stand and we'll sing together. 00:33:41.880 --> 00:33:44.260 Let us love and sing and wonder. 00:33:44.260 --> 00:34:04.560 Let us praise the Savior's name. 00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:09.019 He has hushed the Lord. 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.940 He has hushed the Lord. 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:17.699 He has quenched Mount Sinai's flame. 00:34:17.699 --> 00:34:25.880 He has washed us with his blood. 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:32.599 He has brought us nigh to God. 00:34:32.599 --> 00:34:39.719 Let us love the Lord who bought us, 00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:45.039 pitied us when enemies. 00:34:46.319 --> 00:34:52.819 Called us by his grace and taught us, 00:34:53.339 --> 00:34:58.980 gave us ears and gave us sighs. 00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:06.940 He has washed us with his blood. 00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:13.159 He presents our souls to God. 00:35:13.360 --> 00:35:20.639 Let us sing, though fierce temptation 00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:27.380 threaten hard to bear us down. 00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:33.840 For the Lord our strong salvation 00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:40.300 holds in view the conqueror's crown. 00:35:40.300 --> 00:35:48.519 He who washed us with his blood 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:55.539 soon will bring us home to God. 00:35:55.539 --> 00:36:02.659 Let us wonder grace and justice 00:36:02.659 --> 00:36:08.779 join and point to mercy's shore. 00:36:08.779 --> 00:36:15.880 When through grace in Christ our trust is, 00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:21.920 justice smiles and acts no more. 00:36:21.920 --> 00:36:29.880 He who washed us with our blood 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:37.079 has secured our way to God. 00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:44.039 Let us praise and join the chorus 00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:50.480 of the saints enthroned on high. 00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:57.599 Here they trusted him before us. 00:36:57.599 --> 00:37:03.440 Now their praises fill the sky. 00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:12.019 You have washed us with your blood. 00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:19.259 You are worthy, Lamb of God. 00:37:19.260 --> 00:37:25.760 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:37:25.760 --> 00:37:27.040 the love of God, 00:37:27.320 --> 00:37:29.100 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit 00:37:29.100 --> 00:37:30.500 be with you all. 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:31.700 Amen.