I’m not sure why they call it a ‘bridge’, but sometimes close to the end of a song, there’s a section that doesn’t have the same melody as the rest of the song. It’s as if the songwriters had lots on their minds, and couldn’t get it to fit in the predetermined rhythm. One thing the bridge does for me – at least when I’m first learning a song – is that it insists that I pay attention. I will focus on what that section is saying, and sometimes I’m checking to see whether it matches the rest of the song.
Did they use ‘bridges’ in songs back in Moses’ day? Perhaps not. But I do believe that there’s a ‘bridge’ at the end of Moses’ hymn. What do you think? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Exodus 15:19 AFV
[19] For Pharaoh’s horses went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord turned back the waters of the sea upon them. But the children of Israel went on dry land through the middle of the sea.
As it was at the Beginning
That line about God’s sovereignty in our Nougat yesterday, seemed so final to me. Perhaps because it reminded me of the Lord’s Prayer. So my brain expected nothing beyond, ‘amen’ after that declaration of God’s eternal empire. Instead, the hymn elaborated on the theme of the hymn’s first verse: ‘ … horse and rider had He thrown into the sea’. Does this make our Nougat a bridge, a refrain, or the main theme?
According to Google, the bridge in a song connects seemingly different themes, adds variety and reduces repetition. If so, then our Nougat doesn’t qualify. Given the frequent references to what God did, this might have been the hymn’s chorus. The story of God’s miraculous rescue is told in different ways in verses 1, 4, 7, 10, 12, and here in 19. It is almost consistently paced, suggesting that it is the main theme and the refrain.
Given that this song marks the turning point in the spiritual life of the Children of Israel, it is fitting that they frequently refer to God’s mighty acts. We also note that the Exodus signalled the Children of Israel’s first move toward nationhood. Therefore, this moment when God first effects a collective miracle for all God’s chosen people would constitute a major milestone in their collective history.
Points to Ponder
How do we mark significant personal and communal milestones in our lives? Do you repeat those stories to each other at family gatherings?
More critically, how do we celebrate the milestone of our collective liberation from the enemy in our individual and communal settings?
Deeper Dive
It is worth noting that in verse 1, the reference to what God has done is preceded by a declaration of individual and communal intent. So, Moses, and by extension, the Children of Israel, would sing praises to YHWH – because YHWH overthrew their pursuers. The title YHWH takes us to God’s self-revelatory moment with Moses at the backside of Mt Horeb.
In that conversation chronicled in Exodus 3, we’re told that God’s response to Moses’ question about God’s identity was YHWH. Strong’s Concordance tells us that YHWH refers to the self-existent or eternal One. When we get to our Nougat Exodus 15:19; Moses and the Children refer to YHWH’s might in overcoming the enemy. And YHWH is declared their sovereign forever in verse 18.
This suggests that for the Children of Israel, their understanding and recognition of YHWH’s sovereignty is directly linked to the act of liberation! By miraculously overthrowing the enemy, YHWH definitively proved YHWH’s lordship over all other gods. And in declaring YHWH’s sovereignty, they were, in effect, assuring YHWH of their praises forever.
In our recounting of Christ’s saving grace, we also sing redemption songs. And we really comply with Y’shua’s request to eat and drink of the cup of the new covenant as a reminder of His sacrificial love each time we participate in the Lord’s Supper remembrance. The Supper then, is the main point and chorus of our faith. However, it is also the bridge; as it connects our memory of YHWH’s salvific work in Exodus with Christ’s salvific work on the Cross. What Christ did on the cross took us out of bondage to sin, and offers us victory forever. We respond with our praise songs and our submission to His sovereignty.
The Children of Israel were elated, so their song ended as it began: with glorious praise unto their God Who came through for them in that critical moment. All grumbling dissent was forgotten as the people declared total submission and allegiance to the God of their salvation.
Or were they not wholly submitted? Hmmn
More to come as we continue reflecting on the Exodus.
Self-Check
Are we continuing in the same manner of praise, as we began at our turning point of liberation in Christ? Selah
