EXODUS 15:22-27 BITTER WATERS The very path of the Lord's leading brought Israel to the bitter waters of Marah. Sometimes the difficult experiences God's people go through are for our education rather than for our correction or punishment. The tree that was cast down and cast into the water is a type of the Cross of Christ that takes away the bitterness of sin and gives us blessing and spiritual growth in the Christian life that follows the healing of the tree.
Bitter waters are not serious unless they make us bitter. We may be able to sing of triumph one day and shortly thereafter be in despair and disappointment. Israel was led three days into the wilderness and although it may not have looked as fertile as the land around the Nile River, it was a land of freedom. It was also where God had His school for disciplining His people. We may not always appreciate at the moment the paths and places God leads us to, but it is not into the world, but away from it. Of that we can be sure. We are "in the world" but we are not "of the world."
The first day of the march into the wilderness would have been a day of enthusiasm, relief and cheer as they thought about their deliverance from Egypt and God's great victory over the host of Pharaoh. There would be a new camaraderie that is common among wilderness travelers as they talked of the past and maybe sang a few lines of the new song of victory. Our first moves after being saved by grace are enthusiastic responses to God's love and mercy. There is a well springing up in us that wants to reach out and grasp every aspect of this new life in Christ. Faith seems strong and the obstacles seem to be unable to quench our joy.
By the second day, the breezes from the Red Sea were behind them. They were moving into an arid desert without trees and water. The way ahead seemed dry and hot. The enthusiasm of the day before faded somewhat as they drank from the water they would have carried with them. But that water wasn't fresh and there was no place to refill their water bags. By night-fall they would have been tired and hoping tomorrow would be a better day. It doesn't take too long on our journey of faith for us to find out that everything is not going to be easy. In fact, when we walk with the Lord, we will find ourselves often in difficult places and in difficult circumstances. The wonders of our new life in Christ have not taken away the pressures of living a Christian life in a hostile environment.
The third day's journey became tiresome and monotonous to the travelers. This drudgery led them to try to find an object to ventilate their hard thoughts toward. Moses was the one they blamed for their discomfort. People may be benefited ninety-nine times by the efforts of those who guide them, but if even for one time, things don't work out the way they planned, they will blame their leader - or even God - for their disappointment. Grumbling, disenchantment and complaints may follow soon after blessing because the training process does have restraints, and most people resent those restraints of life and labor. We find in our Christian life a great enthusiasm at times, and we seem to be able to do anything God asks us to do. Then the glow of the "first and second days" fades to the pressures, problems and pains of the "third day." Our deceitful heart that still remains with us, causes us to complain and become bitter. Even the refreshment of the water we had hoped would quench our thirst, is bitter.
Our expectations in many aspects of life are based on stories we have heard and victories others have written about. When we get to these life experiences ourselves, we don't find them all silver-lined and full of smooth roads. Some of the roughest roads we travel will lead us to places of greatest blessing.
The wise person in the training school of God, will not jump to quick conclusions or pass judgments on the difficulties and disappointments we have. Often those who meet with heavy grief and painful loss are those who in God's own plans, come out of the refining fire shining the brightest and can be trusted with the noblest of calling in the future. The solution to the bitter waters, the antidote that is needed, is not something from far away that is hard to obtain. There was a "tree" there. When that tree was cut down and put into the water, the water became sweet to drink.
The "Balm in Gilead;" the "healing" needed; the solution to the problem is at hand. But even as God had to show Moses that particular tree, we too need to understand and be reminded of the great blessings that come to us from Him who "bare our sins in His own body on the tree." The cross has great on-going value because of the One who there satisfied every claim of God against us. The bitter things become sweet when we again think of "The Lord that healeth thee." It was in that place of bitter water; the Lord reveals Himself in this new way. There in that same place the promise of freedom from disease for those who obeyed the "voice of the Lord thy God," was given.
The resting place of Elim, "the strong ones," where they experienced the abundance of the Lord's supply, followed the bitterness of Marah. Life is not, nor will be it ever be, easy for those who commit themselves to following the Lord. We don't spend our lives for the Lord under the palm trees of Elim. A brief resting place on the journey of faith is always welcome but is not the place where victories are won and where the promises of God are claimed. It is not at Elim where souls are dug from the pit and hewn from the rock. Thank God for bitter waters made sweet; for strong resting places - now get on with the journey.
Deliverance gives us joy; salvation gives us a song. What blessings we experience, when the journey seems so long And we find a place of water where the bitter is made sweet, And under these "Elim, palm trees," we can rest our weary feet. But this is not the goal, the prize is a long way yet ahead. Looking back from time to time we can see where God has led Us out from the bondage of sin into the freedom of new life. Now in this life of faith we live, faith is much stronger than our sight.
The "first day" we began this walk; our enthusiasm was high. There did not seem any obstacles to hinder us as we passed by. Words of a song would break loose from spirits recently redeemed. Obstacles we had perceived were only some of life's bad dreams. So when that "first day" ended we were feeling such liberty, That we were hardly ready for what on the "second day" we would see. The glow of "first love" faded a bit as our water skins ran low. And we began to feel some aches when that "second day" lost its glow.
By the "third day" our water was gone, where could we get a fresh supply. And the waters of Marah were so bitter, we didn't see the tree near by. When I open the book where waters lie ready to quench my on-going thirst, It is important I remember what happened at that cross-tree first. The bitter waters are made sweet as truths from that living spring - And the bitter water is made sweet as truths from God they bring. And the "Lord that healeth thee," gives promises to me - As the bitterness fades away and new glories of Christ I see.
I know I will have my "Marahs" that will often test my faith. I also know by Marah's water a tree stands right there in that place Where I can find soul-refreshment revealed to me through God's Word. Whether it is Marah or Elim, I know these places will not last. They are only temporary stopping places until this life is passed. By God's grace I will seek to learn lessons taught in this wilderness. And maybe He will be able in some way through me, other people to bless.
"Father, in times when my faith is weak, I have confidence Thou hast places of restoration for Thy servant. When I get to Marah, show me the tree. When I get to Elim, keep me from staying there too long and forgetting why I am here in the world. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."