Praising God beside the Sea

This study offers a creative combination of methodologies to provide grounded intertextual procedure for the apocalyptic genre with impact on understanding Revelation 15. Along with the analysis on narrative elements (to prove the similarity in the scenery background) and examinations of the designation and context of the songs, this research reveals thematic parallels in the contents of the songs in Exodus 15:1-18 and Revelation 15:3-4, not argued fully to this point in studies of the Apocalypse. These diverse analyses of the intertextuality between Exodus 15 and Revelation 15 strengthen the argument that Exodus 15 should be considered as the OT source of Revelation 15:3-4. John's elaborate, deliberate skills interweaving the Exodus theme with his eschatological vision can be observed in the whole book of Revelation, in the vision of the bowl judgments (Revelation 15-16), in the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb (Revelation 15:3-4), and even in the duality of the song's title. John offers a glimpse of the readers' ultimate victory in their present time and at the eschaton by reminding them of their almighty God, who saved the Israelites in the Exodus journey, especially at the Red Sea.


""HaYoung Son's arduous research sheds fresh light on key connections between Revelation 15 and the Song of Moses (Exodus 15). The book is written clearly, organized meticulously, and argued convincingly. It breaks new ground in laying bare the connections between Scripture passages and documents how 'John encourages the readers to expect their ultimate victory even though they are suffering under the ""beast.""' Here is careful and skilled scholarship leading to enhanced theological understanding.""
--Robert W. Yarbrough, Covenant Theological Seminary

""Son's thorough analysis of intertextual relationships between Exodus 15 and Revelation 15 will be of interest to all who recognize the importance of Old Testament backgrounds for interpreting New Testament texts in general, and for interpreting the book of Revelation in particular.""
--Roy E. Ciampa, Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship

""Son does an admirable job of pulling together narrative methodology and an intertextual awareness of the sources to give a fresh and compelling understanding of John's song of Moses and the Lamb.""
--Charlie Ray, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

""Though a proliferation of studies on the use of the Old Testament in Revelation have appeared in recent years, Son demonstrates that there is still room for more work in this area. Her work reflects careful methodological consideration and exegesis of the relevant texts in demonstrating the importance of the Exodus motif for interpreting Revelation 15. This book will advance the discussion on the use of the Old Testament in Revelation.
--David L. Mathewson, Denver Seminary

HaYoung Son is Senior Researcher in the H. Milton Haggard Center for New Testament Textual Studies (CNTTS) of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.