After the Lord provided the Israelites his protection from Pharaoh’s warriors with miracles, including the dividing of the sea, (Exodus 13-14) we are told in the 15^th Chapter of Exodus about one of the first and oldest poems — "songs" — in the Bible: the "Song of Moses".

The song is detailed in Exodus 15:2-18 and befits one of the most religiously-recognized "saving" events of God — His delivery of His people from slavery in Egypt, which was a major part of His covenant.

The song is great in its praise of God for His crushing blow to the Pharaoh when the sea was released and drown all the Pharaoh’s captains. Chariot drivers and warriors. The song predicts the eventual recapture of Canaan.

It was undoubtedly a time of great joy for the Israelites. Moses’ and Aaron’s sister, Miriam, also is described with a major role in the religious celebration of victory with the signing of Moses’ Song.

Miriam was the sister who watched over Moses when, as a small child, he was placed in the weeds of the river as an infant, only to be "discovered" by the Pharaoh’s daughter. Exodus 2:4-10. Miriam then recommended to the Pharaoh’s daughter that Moses’ real mother be used and the infant Moses’ nursemaid.

Now, Miriam provides leadership among the Israelites by taking a major role in the religious celebration and singing Moses Song following the Lord’s victorious crushing of Pharaoh’s army. Exodus 15:20-21.

Moses’ Song is generally described by biblical scholars as written in five parts. The first four "stanzas" describe the Lord’s crushing of the Pharaoh’s pursuing warriors and the final part predicts the conquest of Canaan. The song initially describes the closing of the Sea on the Pharaoh causing his army to sink "as a stone" (15:5); the Lord "consumed" the army "as stubble" (15:7); the waters caused drownings "as a heap" (15:8); and that the Lord caused the Egyptians to sink "as lead" in the mighty waters. (15:10).

The prediction of the conquest of Canaan is at Exodus 15:13-18.

Miriam’s leadership among the Israel women is first described in her leading all the women in song and dance at the Lord’s victory over Egypt. Exodus 15:20-21.

There is an underlying lesson in this great celebration. The great celebration of the Israel people is similar to our own actions many times. We are great in our praise of the Lord immediately after He has saved us from an impending catastrophe. We make lots of promises of faithfulness and loyalty to the Lord. But our human failure of patience and lack of faith soon overtakes our excitement and praise. The Israelites fell into the same trap as so many of us fall, and fail: We ask "Lord, what you did yesterday was great, but what have you done for me today?".

After the Israelites finished their celebration, they broke camp and headed into the Shur wilderness. They went three days without water. They then came to a place they called "Marah" where there was water, but it was undrinkable because of its bitterness. The people began complaining to Moses. Exodus 15:22-24.

Moses turned to the Lord for help. The Lord pointed out to Moses a tree. Moses took the tree and stuck it into the bitter water, whereupon "the waters were made sweet". Exodus 15:25.

Moses tried to lecture his people. He told them to diligently harken to the voice of the Lord and follow the Lord’s will and commandments. By being tedious in the good works to the lord, none of the diseases would befall them which had been put on the people of Egypt.

The Israelites continued their journey to Elim, where they found twelve water wells and 10 palm trees. They camped there.

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