God is a Warrior
15 Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord:
“I will sing to the Lord,
for he has triumphed gloriously;
he has hurled both horse and rider
into the sea.
2 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
This is my God, and I will praise him—
my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
3 The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name!
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and army he has hurled into the sea.
The finest of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea.
5 The deep waters gushed over them; they sank to the bottom like a stone.6 “Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power.
Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy.
7 In the greatness of your majesty, you overthrow those who rise against you.
You unleash your blazing fury; it consumes them like straw.
8 At the blast of your breath, the waters piled up!
The surging waters stood straight like a wall;
in the heart of the sea the deep waters became hard.9 “The enemy boasted, ‘I will chase them and catch up with them.
I will plunder them and consume them.
I will flash my sword; my powerful hand will destroy them.’
10 But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.11 “Who is like you among the gods, O Lord—glorious in holiness,
Exodus 15:1-12
awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?
12 You raised your right hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies.
How do you feel about this depiction of God as a mighty warrior fighting on behalf of the fleeing Israelites? Does it seem consistent or inconsistent with your understanding of God’s love? Does it seem consistent or inconsistent with your understanding of God’s heart for justice? How do you think we can reconcile this image with the life and teachings of Jesus who is the Word made flesh and told us to love our enemies?
Tongue on Fire 