Introduction

Exodus 15:19–27: Today’s reading includes the Song of Miriam (Moses’s sister), who leads the women in singing and dancing. After passing through the waters of the Red Sea, Moses leads the people into the desert. The people complain because they have gone without water for three days. They arrive at Marah, and the LORD instructs Moses on how to make the bitter water drinkable.

Today’s Key Verse: Exodus 15:21 GNT

Miriam sang for them: “Sing to the LORD, because he has won a glorious victory; he has thrown the horses and their riders into the sea.”

Read

19 The Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. But when the Egyptian chariots with their horses and drivers went into the sea, the Lord brought the water back, and it covered them.

20 The prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took her tambourine, and all the women followed her, playing tambourines and dancing. 21 Miriam sang for them:

“Sing to the Lord, because he has won a glorious victory;
he has thrown the horses and their riders into the sea.”

22 Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea into the desert of Shur. For three days they walked through the desert, but found no water. 23 Then they came to a place called Marah, but the water there was so bitter that they could not drink it. That is why it was named Marah.[a] 24 The people complained to Moses and asked, “What are we going to drink?” 25 Moses prayed earnestly to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood, which he threw into the water; and the water became fit to drink.

There the Lord gave them laws to live by, and there he also tested them. 26 He said, “If you will obey me completely by doing what I consider right and by keeping my commands, I will not punish you with any of the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians. I am the Lord, the one who heals you.”

27 Next they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees; there they camped by the water.

Reflect

The Israelites danced and sang after God delivered them from the Egyptians. How will you praise God today? How did God provide for the Israelites after they complained? What did the LORD promise (verse 26)?

Pray

Gracious God, I trust in your promises and in your steadfast love and care. You are with me each day, guiding me, providing for my needs, and sustaining me with your word. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

And now, join us in celebrating the launch of the Kikaguru Bible in Tanzania. We thank and praise you, Almighty God, that the Bible Society of Tanzania has released the first complete Bible translated into Kikaguru, the language spoken by approximately 420,000 Kaguru people, 60% of whom are Christians. Because your grace has stirred the generous support of Bible-A-Month partners, this historic milestone marks the first time the Kaguru community can access the entire Bible in their own language. Alongside the Bible’s release, the Bible Society is providing literacy training for 3,000 Kaguru women and girls, helping them learn to read and engage with Scripture on their own. To you be the glory and the honor! Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Exodus 18:1–12: Moses is visited by his father-in-law Jethro.