Praising by Name

Israel has done more than one thing right in this story! There are so many that are examples of how not to do something. This time they do the first time. They trusted God when they took steps of faith through the Red Sea, and after God redeemed them, they praised him.

Picture it: a mute multitude gazing in stunned disbelief at a body of water whose powerful surges had first saved by saving, then had saved by destroying. –The Red Sea Rules, by Robert J. Morgan (Rule 10)

I can only imagine the awesome wonder it must have been. Just hours before, they were fearing for their lives–afraid of both Egypt and the water. Now, they were praising God for his power and goodness.

Reflect on the first verses of their song again:

“Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him! The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name!” –Exodus 15:1-3 NLT

Moses praising God by name is a big deal. Remember, he didn’t know God’s name until he met God in the burning bush. Moses was afraid Israel wouldn’t accept the message he brought, so he asked God who he was to say sent him. God responded, “I am who I am. Say ‘I am’ has sent you,” (my paraphrasing). Now, Moses reminds Israel of who rescued them by name.

By the time the Bible was written on paper, God’s name was considered too holy to say aloud. But it seems from Moses’ song he felt a personal connection with the God of the Universe and called him by name.