Exodus 15:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The Lord will reign forever and ever."

NIV: "The Lord reigns for ever and ever."

NASB: The Lord shall reign forever and ever.'

CSB: The Lord will reign forever and ever!

NLT: The Lord will reign forever and ever!'

KJV: The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.

NKJV: “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”

This statement is an exclamation to end a song of celebration (Exodus 15:1). God has just rescued Israel in spectacular fashion (Exodus 14:21–28). Over the course of this song, the people have recounted those events (Exodus 15:2–12) and looked ahead to entering the Promised Land (Genesis 17:8; Exodus 15:13–17). Now, they proclaim the Lord's eternal rule.

Scripture emphasizes the duration of the Lord's reign. There will be no limit to how long the Lord leads His people. This is true both in this world and for eternity. The Lord has a plan to ultimately recreate a new heaven, a new earth, and even a New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1–3) where all His people, Jewish and Gentile (Revelation 7:9), will worship Him for all eternity. This is the climax of God's redemptive story. Revelation 22:5 uses the same words, noting the Lord will "reign forever and ever."

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.

Accessed 6/18/2025 1:03:02 AM