They had just watched the Red Sea split and sang songs of victory. Three days later, the same people were grumbling in the wilderness.

In Exodus 15 we see both the beauty of joyful worship and the fragility of human faith—and the unchanging faithfulness of God.

After Israel’s miraculous deliverance from Egypt, Moses and the Israelites respond the only way a rescued people can: they sing. Exodus 15 records the first great song of redemption in the Bible. Moses leads the people in praising the Lord for defeating Pharaoh’s army and delivering them from slavery.

“I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; He has thrown the horse and its rider into the sea.” (Exodus 15:1)

Soon Miriam the prophetess joins in. With tambourine in hand, she leads the women in music and dancing as the whole community celebrates what God has  ...