Exodus 15:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

NIV: In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

NASB: In Your faithfulness You have led the people whom You have redeemed; In Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation.

CSB: With your faithful love, you will lead the people you have redeemed; you will guide them to your holy dwelling with your strength.

NLT: 'With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home.

KJV: Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

NKJV: You in Your mercy have led forth The people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength To Your holy habitation.

Moses and the people of Israel are praising God (Exodus 15:1) for the spectacular miracle at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21–29). So far, their song has described how the Lord parted the waters for Israel to cross. Then, He drowned the pursuing Egyptian army in those same depths. Now, Israel's celebration turns to praising God for His love and anticipating their arrival in the Promised Land (Exodus 15:14–17).

The Hebrew word translated "steadfast love" is hesed. This is a constant, merciful affection. Other translations use terms such as "lovingkindness," "faithful love" or "unfailing love." The word is featured many times in the Psalms (Psalms 17:7; 36:10; 44:26; 63:3; 136).

The Israelites are the people who have been "redeemed," or rescued, by the power of the Lord. These are the descendants of Jacob (Genesis 32:28) and patriarchs such as Abraham (Genesis 17:1–8). God guided the people directly (Exodus 13:21–22) after their release from slavery (Exodus 12:40–41). He did so with the intent of bringing them to a particular territory (Psalm 78:54). This is the "abode," or "dwelling" to which they are now being led.

Exodus 15:1–18 is Moses' song of celebration. Israel has just been saved from an attacking Egyptian army (Exodus 14:5–9). God miraculously parted the waters of the sea so His people could cross safely; the pursuing soldiers were all drowned (Exodus 14:21–29). In this song, Moses recounts this amazing series of events. He also looks ahead to Israel's conquest of the Promised Land (Genesis 13:12, 14–16).

Israel celebrates the supernatural event which eliminated the Egyptian army. God's power parted the waters of the Red Sea for the Hebrews to cross, then collapsed the same waters over the pursuing soldiers (Exodus 14:21–29). Moses, his sister Miriam, and the other Israelites praise the Lord for His works. They anticipate that this event will strike fear into the hearts of the wicked Canaanite nations (Deuteronomy 9:4). Yet, when the only water they find is undrinkable, the Israelites complain and criticize Moses. God provides a means to purify the water. He then provides a clear message about obedience and leads the people to a well-watered oasis.

When the nation of Israel was freed (Exodus 12:40–41), God led them to a specific place (Exodus 13:17–18). The Egyptians sent an army in pursuit (Exodus 14:5–9). God completed Israel's salvation by leading them across the Red Sea and wiping out the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:21–28). Here, the people celebrate their freedom with singing and dancing. However, they will soon complain when water runs short. In the following chapter, they will complain about food and be given the gift of "manna" (Exodus 16).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.