We have come, if you like, the full circle in Exodus. We began with God’s mob under attack from the forces of ‘anti-life’: Pharaoh and the nation of Egypt. And we saw the goodness of God, who is for life, in the way in which He provided for His people who are exactly where He planned for them to be (in slavery).

And now, as they leave Egypt, as the Exodus is underway, the forces of anti-life (defeated and destroyed) thrash and lash out. God, who has done as He said, reassures His mob that they are exactly where He planned for them to be (in the wilderness) so that they might see His salvation, and know His glory (significance).

God’s mob need this demonstration, this reminder, because they are a frail and faulty lot, who respond with the cry of complaint as God works their good in the wilderness.

And so it all takes place: God’s salvation happens, the enemies of God are destroyed… and God’s mob behold His significance… and rightly fear Him.