Title From Marah to Elim
From Marah to Elim (Ex 15:22-27)
After leaving Egypt, the Israelites miraculously crossed the Red Sea and entered the wilderness of Shur. They traveled three days to reach Marah. There was no water to drink. At that time, I found a well, and I ran and drank it, but it was bitter, and I could not drink it. Moses prayed earnestly to God, and God directed a branch of a tree, and he broke the branch and threw it into the water. The water became sweet, and everyone was thirsty and satisfied drank water After that, God led the Israelites to Elim, an oasis with 12 springs of water and 70 palm trees, and the Israelites camped there.
What can we learn from the fact that the people of Israel resented God and Moses for lack of water? 1) It is that we have forgotten God’s grace too easily. Only three days after they left Egypt and experienced the miracle of crossing the Red Sea, they began to cry out that there was no water. It is so easy to forget God's grace. 2) It was too hasty. There was bitter water in Marah, but God prepared the branches to sweeten the bitter water, and Elim also prepared not far from Mara. However, the people of Israel did not know this and quickly complained about it. 3) They have forgotten God's faithful promises. Why did God lead the Israelites out of Egypt? To lead them to the land of Canaan flowing with milk and honey. If you believed in this promise of God, there was no need to worry. Dear saints, Even if you are in the thirsty and painful wilderness of Sur, never complain to God! Because God who saved us from eternal sin will surely lead us from Marah to Elim and from this earth to heaven.
Just as the bitter water of Mara was waiting for the Israelites who were saved from Egypt, God's people who were redeemed through Jesus Christ also have the bitter water of Marah. Even if you have a good job, people, and a house, there is also the bitter Mara of misery. Is that all? Not only this world, but our hearts are full of bitter water. Guilt, hatred, resentment, worry, worry, fear, failure, hurt... Maybe our mind is like a bag of water. So, what can sweeten the bitterness of life? Human means and methods cannot sweeten the bitter water in this heart. Just as bitter water was sweetened when Moses cut and threw the tree branch that God had instructed, if we throw the cross of Calvary Jesus into our bitter hearts, the bitter water of life becomes sweet. By throwing the cross of Jesus Christ into the bitter water life, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will become the protagonist of a sweet water life and a blessed life.