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The Song of Moses

by Norman Tew

 
The Song of Moses - Which Song of Moses was referred to in Revelation 15:3?

 
In the fifteenth chapter of the book of the Revelation the prophet sees a sea of "glass mixed with fire" and the redeemed standing beside it. He then says that they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God and the song of the Lamb. Maybe another time we can look at the song of the Lamb but for now I want to ask,"What was the song of Moses".

Song One

Most people would think of the song that the Israelites sang after they had been delivered from the chasing Egyptian army by the dividing of the Red Sea. Some might say, "But that is the song of Miriam, the sister of Moses." They would only be partly correct. Miriam did sing the song, but in Exodus 15:1, if first says that Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. It is only in v.20, after the song had been listed that it reports Miriam and the women singing the song with tambourines and dancing.

Without a doubt this is a song of deliverance. A deliverance brought by God while the people watched. There was something the people had to do - they had to walk out into the Red Sea in faith that they would come through safely. But they were protected by the pillar of cloud behind them and between them and the Egyptian army.

It was God who destroyed the Egyptians. I wonder if the Israelites even realised that they went down into the sea bed between the waves piled up on each side. It was night time when they crossed the sea.

This song would also have a relevance to the multitude by the sea of glass for this song of Moses records an incident on the way to the promised land, and the multitude by the sea of glass have reached their promised land.

Song Two

But the Bible also records another song of Moses.

If you turn to the book of Deuteronomy in chapter 31 you will find that God told Moses to write a song; and to teach it to the people; so that they would remember it (see verse 19). Moses did that and in the next chapter you can find the words of the song.

In general this song is one of warning to the people not to forget God; not to claim that they had captured the promised land in their own strength. But it starts with praise to God, For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! {4} The Rock, his work is perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God, without deceit, just and upright is he.   (Deu 32:3-4 NRSV) But the general drift of the song is, as it says in chapter 31:19, a witness against the people should they forget their God.

Which one did the redeemed sing?

Which of these two songs match best to that of the redeemed on the sea of glass?

Remember that when Daniel talks about the judgement he said, Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. (Dan 7:22 KJV)

If you look at the tail end verses of the second song of Moses you get verses matching this theme. "Indeed the LORD will vindicate his people, have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone, neither bond nor free remaining". Verse 36, and "Praise, 0 heavens, his people, worship him, all you gods! For he will avenge the blood of his children, and take vengeance on his adversaries; he will repay those who hate him, and cleanse the land for his people." Verse 43. These verses match Daniel's thought of God giving judgement on behalf of his people and giving them the kingdom.

So maybe the second song is the song of Moses that John heard in his vision of the sea of glass.

Or maybe there is another song of Moses that I have failed to note.

I leave the decision with you.

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