After leading the people out of Egypt, Moses sing to God about what he just did for the children of Israel by parting the Red Sea. He also prophesizes how God will help them inhabit the land which he had promised them. It’s probably one of the first songs to ever be recorded in history! This song celebrates and magnifies God and his power to protect and avenge the children of Israel.

The remainder of the chapter displays how unstable the hearts of the people were, The people murmured against Moses because they had been without water for three days and when they did come upon a well of water it wasn’t drinkable.

It’s surprising to me that God can display himself so clearly and powerfully to these people and they still have trouble with their faith. They murmur and complain while they are following a pillar of cloud and fire through the desert! This murmuring turns Moses singing into crying as he asks God to do something about the water. God shows him a tree to cast in the water to make them sweet and the people’s murmurings are quieted for a while.

I think all of us are guilty of being ungrateful and questioning of God. I think these verses prove to be a good reminder for us to trust him as he leads us.