The Song of Moses

TEN PLAGUES CAME upon the land of Egypt prior to Israel’s release from bondage. The last plague was the most severe—the death of all the firstborn. Prior to this plague the Lord instructed the Israelites that a “Passover” lamb was to be slain and its blood sprinkled upon the doorframe of their houses. The lamb was to be roasted with fire and then eaten. The firstborn of Israel inside any house where the blood was found that night were “passed over,” spared from the plague of death. However, all the firstborn of Egypt died. (Exod. 11:1-10; 12:1-14; 14:25-27) The next day all of the Israelites were released from bondage.—Num. 33:3

Paul explains that Israel’s Passover symbolized “Christ, our Passover Lamb,” who “has been sacrificed” for us, and he refers to the Lord’s followers as the “church of the firstborn.” (I Cor. 5:7, New International Version; Heb. 12:23) The “church of the firstborn” are first delivered from death during the nighttime of the present Gospel Age. This is to be followed by the future deliverance of all mankind from sin and death in the promised kingdom on earth.—Matt. 6:10

After Israel left Egypt, the Lord led them with “a pillar of a cloud.” (Exod. 13:21) When they reached the Red Sea, there seemed no way of crossing it. Soon after, Pharaoh and his army reached them, and the Israelites became afraid. Moses said to the people, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. … The Lord shall fight for you.”—Exod. 14:7-14

The Lord instructed Moses to lift up his rod, stretch it out over the sea, and divide it. A strong east wind blew that night, dividing the waters, enabling the Israelites to cross over on dry land. When the Egyptian army tried to follow, the waters closed in on them, destroying Pharaoh with all his warriors. (vss. 15,16,21-31) A song of thankfulness for deliverance was then sung by Moses and the Israelites. It begins with the words, “The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation.”—Exod. 15:2

Moses and the mighty works accomplished by God through him point to Jesus, the “Lamb of God,” and the much larger, eternal deliverance to be accomplished by him. This deliverance is from sin and death, first for the church of the “firstborn” during the Gospel Age, and later for all mankind during the Messianic kingdom.—John 1:29; I Pet. 1:18,19

The Israelites gave glory to God for their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. How much more should the Lord’s followers today recognize their greater deliverance from the power of Satan and the bondage of sin, accomplished for us through the blood of the Lamb of God, who died for our sins. (John 8:31-36) We “should shew forth” our praise to God in our words and deeds.—I Pet. 2:9; Matt. 5:16

The overcoming church class is elsewhere shown as being with the “Lamb,” Jesus, on Mount Sion, the heavenly phase of God’s kingdom. They are pictured as singing a new song—a song of thankfulness to God for the mighty deliverance he will have accomplished for all mankind.—Rev. 14:1-4; 15:2,3