Parshat Beshallach is one of the most dramatic sections of Torah with two literary masterpieces to conclude the liberation from slavery, as explained by Everett Fox in the Schocken Bible. Israel’s miraculous passage through the Sea of Reeds on dry ground and then the destruction of the Egyptian army and chariots, followed by the song of triumph in the next chapter, form a natural conclusion to the slavery story and a bridge to the journey to freedom.
The plagues and the Exodus are dramatic enough but the battle at the Sea of Reeds between God and Pharaoh takes it to a new level. God hardens Pharaoh’s heart for one last showdown so that God may be glorified. The narrative at the sea is built around several phrases that repeat.
Israel goes through on dry land with the waters as a wall to the right and left. They march through into the midst of the sea, chased by Pharaoh’s chariots and riders. It is a rhythmic retelling of an experience, linking to the traditional storytelling of the Israelites.
The ending of the story is indicative of the end of Torah – Moses is referred to as God’s servant and other terminology is used that parallels the end of Deuteronomy. The end of Israel’s relationship to Egypt is portrayed as a classic ending, which can be compared to the end of Moses life at the end of Torah.
The Song at the Sea provides a natural boundary within the Book of Exodus, ending the Egypt experience and separating it from, and bridging into, Sinai and the wilderness. The poetry and the way it is set out enhance this. Only poetry could express the full range of emotions about what has happened.
The rhythm and flow of the poem enhance the majesty of God over Pharaoh, which has been the theme for more than ten chapters, and the song ends with a definite one liner: Adonai yimloch l’olam va’ed – The Eternal will rule for ever and ever!
The overall effect of the song or poem is massive pride at God’s victory. It is like an ancient war poem but it emphasises God’s choosing and leading Israel. As Everett Fox says, this song establishes the foundation of a theocratic people.
The ending of this section is of equal importance. The repetition of the song and its performance by women with a dance may be the original form or may indicate that Miriam composed the song. More importantly she is portrayed as a prophetess.
Even more significantly, there may be structural significance in her mention. The deliverance from Egypt story begins with her as a little girl watching to ensure the safety and survival of her little baby brother in the reeds of the Nile. It ends with the same person, now an adult and a prophetess, celebrating victory and deliverance after successfully and safely passing through the Sea of Reeds.