EXODUS 15
13 “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;
you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
14 The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab;
all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. 16 Terror and dread fall upon them;
because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone,
till your people, O Lord, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased.
17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain,
the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode,
the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.
18 The Lord will reign forever and ever. – Exodus 15:13-18
EXODUS 15 FEAR OF THE WORLD VERSUS FEAR OF THE LORD
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When the news of the extermination of the Egyptians spread around
The people of Canaan, Philistia, Moab and Edom trembled
Because of the Lord’s punishment on Egypt, they were all afraid
They heard how the Israelites were rescued from the Egyptians
They were terrorized by the power of this God whom they do not know
And the people of God continued to praise the Lord for what he had done.
When terror grips a person, it makes him freeze, panic, run or immobilize. It is interesting how these ungodly people feared that they may be the next nation to be exterminated after the Egyptians. They didn’t know the power of the God of the Israelites. The gods they serve cannot do these things. Only the One true God can do these wondrous deeds. They are now trembling in fear of what might happen to them. There is so much confusion, chaos and unrest among the unbelieving nations.
On the other hand, the Israelites had a different fear. They saw how God faithfully delivered them from the Egyptians. The wondrous deeds of God must have added to the reverence and honor they ought to give their God.
REFLECTION
- How was the fear of the unbelievers different from God’s people?
