The Horse and Rider
Exodus 14:19-31 (King James Version)
19And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
21And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
23And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
25And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
26And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
27And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
29But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 30Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
31And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.
So there in all its political incorrectness is our Bible story for Sunday, God taking our side against the enemy and drowning every last man and beast of them.
Politically incorrect? Actually, it’s rather delicious, isn’t it. And with 9/11 coming up it rings quite jubilant, doesn’t it.
During my seminary days, because as he said he did not want me coming out a total Lutheran, my bishop had me take some classes at the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. Whereas the folks at Gettysburg sang traditional hymns in staid Lutheran tone, the Episcopalians at Virginia were comparatively a rowdy bunch. Laying aside The Hymnal 1982, their favorite was Songs for Celebration, a hymnal supplement authorized for the church by General Convention. And among their favorites in SfC was H-325, “The Horse and Rider,” based on the Song of Moses at Exodus 15, sung full and robust, lusty, loud and victorious as a three-part round.
I will sing unto the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and rider thrown into the sea.
I will sing unto the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and rider thrown into the sea.
The Lord my God, my strength and song
is now become my victory.
The Lord my God, my strength and song
is now become my victory.
The Lord is God and I will praise him,
my father’s God and I will exalt him.
The Lord is God and I will praise him,
my father’s God and I will exalt him.
The children of Israel knew: it’s more than just comforting when God is on your side. It’s downright glorious. With God on your side the enemy is vanquished, and salvation is assured.
TW+