The mighty empire of Egypt was defeated. This oppressive domain was finally brought to ruin.
And, oh, how the children of Israel did celebrate!
Exodus 15:1-11 tells us of the event -
"Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea...
Pharoah's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea...
Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: Thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
And in the greatness of Thine excellency Thou hast overthrown them that rose up against Thee: Thou sendest forth Thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble...
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil...
Thou didst blow with Thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"
Wow! Did you notice the warfare that was displayed in this song of Moses and the children of Israel? And, did you also notice who the warfare was between?
It was not between the Egyptians and the children of Israel. It was not even between Pharaoh and Moses.
No, this "battle" was between Pharaoh, the gods of Egypt, and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt wanted dominion over God's people. From the very beginning, the LORD told them - "Let my people go, that they may serve Me." (Exodus 8:1)
The "battle" began when they refused to comply with His command.
After 10 (ten) dreadful and devastating plagues, they not only found out - "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice?" (Exodus 5:2) - but they found out that He and He alone is the true and living God! There is none else!
After witnessing the wrath and judgment of God upon Pharaoh and his army as well as the destruction of Egypt, Moses and the Israelites could not help but sing - "Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods?"
In other words, they were declaring that there is none like unto You, O LORD, "among the mighty ones." These "mighty ones" included the mighty angels who "excel in strength" (Psalm 103:20) and are sometimes called "gods." They also included the "mighty ones" on the earth or the sons of the "mighty" - the kings, princes, judges, civil magistrates of every rank and order, etc. - that is, all of the mighty men of the world.
The Pulpit Commentary said - "It was one great object of the whole series of miraculous visitations whereof Egypt had been the scene, that the true God, Jehovah, should be exalted far above all the gods of the heathen."
"Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods?"
What Moses and the Israelites were saying is that there is no "god" - no leader who is comparable to Jehovah - whether in Egypt or around the world.
In a world of many supposed "gods," Jehovah is unique. He and He alone is God. He is not just better than the rest. He is incomparable - meaning that no god, no person, or no thing can come close in comparison to Him.
Read how the Bible continuously stresses His incomparability to any other gods (idols or princes) -
Exodus 18:11 says - "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly He was above them."
Psalm 71:19 says - "Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, Who hast done great things: O God, Who is like unto Thee!"
Psalm 77:13 says - "Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: Who is so great a God as our God?"
Psalm 86:8 says - "Among the gods there is none like unto Thee, O LORD; neither are there any works like unto Thy works."
Psalm 89:6 says - "For Who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?"
Psalm 89:8 says - "O LORD God of hosts, Who is a strong LORD like unto Thee? Or to Thy faithfulness round about Thee?"
Jeremiah 10:6 says - "Forasmuch as there is none like unto Thee, O LORD; Thou art great, and Thy name is great in might."
Jehovah is -
..."greater than all gods"
..."very high"
..."has done great things"
...and"is so great a God."
"There is none like unto" Him...none in heaven or among the "sons of the mighty" can be "compared" or "likened" unto Him...and none as "strong" as Him.
He is exalted to supremacy over all.
That being said - we have to ask - does the present-day Church believe this?
If so, then why is there so much "idolatry" in the Church and in the hearts of God's people?
As a Christian, what more does Jesus have to do to convince you that "there is none like unto Him"?
What more does He have to do to convince you that He is "greater than all the gods" of this world...that He is "so great a God"...that there is none "so strong" as Him?
You have seen what He did to Egypt - the greatest power of the world at that time. The Bible gives countless other instances besides Egypt - confirming that none can be "compared" or "likened" unto Him.
So, how does one explain all of the "idolatry" in the Church and in the hearts of God's people?
Why are men - political leaders (some being evil) as well as Christian leaders - idolized, deified, put on a pedestal, venerated or blindly followed? Why does their "word" count more than God's Word?
Why do the people of God look to them for solutions and answers more than unto the LORD?
Could it be because they really do not believe that Jesus is matchless and incomparable - that He is "greater than all gods"?
When Moses and the children of Israel sang - "Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods?" - they were bringing forth the purest praise and the highest expression of humble adoration.
It's time that the Church does likewise.
As the Israelites living in Egypt - a land in which polytheism attained its highest development - once and for all established Yahweh's "greatness beyond compare," even so should every Christian living in today's world filled with many "idols."
In 1 Corinthians 10:14, the Apostle Paul admonished every believer with these words - "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."
Matthew Henry explained why - "Idolatry is the most heinous injury and affront to the true God; it is transferring His worship and honour to a rival."
As a believer, you will never "transfer Jesus' worship and honor to a rival" if you are convinced in your heart that there is "none like unto Him."
Remember, "when Jehovah steps in upon the scene, all discussions as to the comparative excellencies of other deities cease to have interest."
The Holy Spirit has one final question for you - "Are you yet convinced?"
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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