“The elements changed places with one another.
As on a harp
The notes vary the nature of the rhythm,
While each note remains the same.
This may be clearly inferred
From the sight of what took place.
The land animals were transformed into water creatures.
The creatures that swim moved over to the land.
Fire even in water retained its normal power.
Water forgot its fire-quenching nature.
On the contrary,
Flames failed to consume
The flesh of perishable creatures
That walked among them.
Nor did they melt the crystalline,
Quick melting kind of heavenly food.”
Now we see what happened in the desert on the way to the Promised Land. Nature was turned upside down. Somehow the rhythm of life had changed. Just like notes on a harp, there was a new sound. The land animals became water creatures, while the water creatures moved to the land. What is this author talking about? Probably this is a reference to some cattle that might have crossed the Red Sea. The water frogs, however, were on land. Water did not quench fire as the fire blazed even in water. The use of water and fire at various times on this journey points to their unique powers. Finally the manna from heaven did not melt. Most of this can be found in chapter 16 of this book.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 