So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all of His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters. Exodus 15:22-27
After the Israelites miraculously crossed the Red Sea, they were led into the desert. How strange that God would lead them from a place of revelation and power to a place of disapointment and dire need. But God wanted to show them that life is a combination of bitter and sweet, of triumph and defeat. When the Israelites arrived at Marah, they complained because their water was bitter v.23, after Moses interceded v.25, God reminded them to keep His commandments v.26. Then He brought them to the abundance and refreshment of Elim v.27. Why? The Lord wanted to teach them that each experience on their journey would reveal their hearts. This test showed they were living by sight and not by faith in what Moses was giving them, as God’s instructions. They also learned that God is involved and does care about their daily needs. He who parted the Red Sea could be trusted to provide water for their survival. He knew their needs because He planned their way. As Christians today, we can learn from this same lesson. If you, or someone you know who is going through a wilderness trial of bitterness and disapointment right now, trust in the Lord. He knows exactly where you are right now, and even more important, what you need. As you learn from obeying His voice through His Word, He will guide you through it all, and into a place of spiritual refreshment where you’ll find healing and spiritual rest in Christ our Lord.
Beloved friend, There is a great verse of promised deliverance. The Lord showed him a tree. When he cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet v.25). This tree represents to us today, the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, who took away from us, the bitterness of our sins, and gives us an abundance refreshing living waters which is sweet to our soul. You receive this simply by faith, and that from God!
May the Lord bless your walk!
