Intro: Hearing God’s Voice
Exodus 15:26 is a foundational passage where God makes a striking promise to Israel at Marah:
“If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” (Exodus 15:26, KJV)
This verse speaks of hearing God’s voice, obeying His commandments, keeping His statutes, and doing what is right in His sight. But what did those requirements mean in Israelite times, and what do they mean for believers today in Christ?
Hearing God’s Voice Then and Now
- Israelite Times: To hearken to God’s voice meant listening when He spoke through Moses, prophets, or directly at Sinai. Their survival as a nation depended on this. When they listened, they prospered; when they ignored His voice, they faced judgment.
- Today: For believers, hearing God’s voice comes through His Word and the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). It is not thunder from a mountain but the Spirit’s whisper confirming truth, guiding decisions, and convicting hearts.
Commandments: Moral Boundaries Across Time
- Israelite Times: Commandments (mitzvot) were clear moral laws such as the Ten Commandments. These established boundaries for worship and ethics, covering idolatry, murder, theft, adultery, and more.
- Today: The commandments still reveal God’s holy character. While believers are not under the Mosaic covenant, the moral law still guides righteous living. Paul explains that “love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). Through Christ, we uphold the spirit of the commandments, living by love for God and neighbor.
Statutes: Covenant Identity Transformed in Christ
- Israelite Times: Statutes (chuqqim) included regulations like Sabbath observance, feast days, sacrificial laws, and dietary rules. These separated Israel from surrounding nations and maintained covenant identity.
- Today: These statutes find fulfillment in Christ. The ceremonial shadows—Passover lamb, Day of Atonement, dietary laws—pointed to Jesus, the true Lamb of God. Believers are no longer bound by ritual statutes (Colossians 2:16–17), but we are still called to holiness and distinction from the world.
Doing What Is Right in God’s Sight
- Israelite Times: This phrase captured what could not always be reduced to written law—justice, mercy, humility, and faithfulness. God rebuked Israel for outward ritual without inner righteousness (Isaiah 1:13–17; Micah 6:8).
- Today: Believers are empowered by the Spirit to live with sincerity and integrity. This goes beyond checking boxes of obedience. As Paul wrote, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Doing right in God’s sight means living with hearts aligned to His will.
Healing and Protection: Then and Now
- Israelite Times: God tied obedience to health and national security. He promised to protect Israel from the plagues of Egypt if they walked faithfully. The connection between obedience and blessing was direct and visible.
- Today: Through Christ, healing takes on its fullest meaning. God still heals physically, but more importantly, He heals spiritually. Peter wrote, “By whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). The “diseases of Egypt” symbolize sin’s corruption, from which Christ delivers us eternally.
The Unified Picture of Exodus 15:26
Exodus 15:26 is not a list of disconnected demands but a layered call to covenant faithfulness:
- Hearing God’s Voice – Stay in relationship and responsiveness.
- Commandments – Honor God’s moral law.
- Statutes – Embrace His covenant identity (fulfilled in Christ).
- Doing What Is Right in His Sight – Live sincerely, not mechanically.
Together, these formed Israel’s covenant life, and together they describe the believer’s walk in Christ today.
Conclusion: The Lord Who Heals
Exodus 15:26 shows God’s heart for His people—both ancient Israel and believers today. To Israel, He offered protection from plagues. To us, He offers healing from sin through Jesus Christ, who perfectly heard the Father’s voice, kept every commandment, and lived wholly right in His sight.
The God of Israel still declares: “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” His promise of life and wholeness is fulfilled in Christ, who is both our Healer and Redeemer.
Visit here for the entire Exodus 15 Summary