Let's go to the title Elim
Introduction
: The second crisis of life in the wilderness - the bitter waters of Mara, purified through bitter experiences
Israel is dealing with the sin against God by blaming Moses, their leader and God's beloved servant. They are purified through the bitter experience of Mara's bitter water.
One). Crisis and resentment of the people (22-24)
2). Moses' cry and God's instructions (25-26)
3). Abundant Supply: Leading to Elim (27)
1. The bitter water of Mara (22-24)
Moses led the people to the Red Sea and led them to the wilderness of Sur (where Moses lived), but there was no water to drink.
They walked for three days and came to Mara, but the water was bitter and they could not drink.
One). The crisis is the lack of water. (23)
Moses led the people to Marah, where he thought there would be water, but the water was so bitter that they could not eat it.
The crisis situation of the bitter water of Mara is the one that believers face on their journey to heaven, the promised land.
say the ordeal.
Trials are for everyone. How to deal with it? (Psalm 42:5, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Thessalonians 3:4, 1 Pet 4:12-13)
The waters of this world never satisfy the thirst of the soul.
Only Jesus Christ can satisfy the thirst of the soul (John 4:13-14, 7:37-38, Matthew 5:6, Revelation 7:16, 22:17, Isaiah 55:1)
2). The sin is resentment against Moses, the servant of God. (24)
Israel committed the sin of murmuring and complaining. (To blame the servant of God is to blame God.)
This sin will continue whenever we are in crisis in the future.
They had to pray that God would show the leader Moses where the water was. But they grumbled and complained against the servant of God. This is an obvious sin.
Grieving and complaining are signs of unbelief. Those who trust in God always pray and ask God for help.
Such a person never resents or complains about situations or people.
⊙ People make various efforts to find satisfaction and peace of mind.
The world offers this and that, but they are like the bitter waters of Mara. In other words, what the world gives does not satisfy human thirst.
⊙ What are the solutions that believers face while living in a world like the wilderness? only Jesus Christ
(John 4:10, Rev 22:1~2, 17, Psalm 23:1~3, 36:8, Isaiah 12:2~3, 49:10, 55:1)
There is living water that will keep you thirsty forever (Matthew 5:6, John 4:14, 7:37-38, Revelation 7:17)
2. Jehovah who heals (25-26)
What did Moses, the servant of God, do in front of the people's resentment?
One). God's servant gives a solution to his cry to the Lord (25)
Moses cried out to God. What was supposed to be done was done.
In spite of the carnal attitude and sin of the people, God provided for their needs.
God tightened a tree to Moses that purifies the bitter water and makes it suitable for drinking.
Moses took the branch and threw it into the water.
God will deal with all the trials, difficulties, problems, and difficulties of life.
(James 1:12, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 4:17, 12:9, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Revelation 21:4, Psalm 34:19, 41:3, Isaiah 43:2 )
2). The purpose of the crisis is to test the people (25).
Why couldn't Israel find water? God was behind every crisis.
Behind the crisis of not finding water, God had a purpose for testing.
① A test to reveal the hearts of the people (Deuteronomy 8:2, Genesis 22:1~2)
② A test to strengthen the people through the trials (Ex 20:20)
③ A test to see if the people are obedient (Ex 16:4)
④ A test to lead the people to lead a righteous life (Zechariah 13:9, Mal 3:)
⑤ Trials to judge and reward the people (1 Corinthians 3:13)
⑥ A test to see if the people really depend on God (John 6:5-6)
⑦ A test to make the people learn to be more patient (James 1:2~3, Romans 5:3~5)
3). Consequences of Crisis: Making a Covenant (25-26)
God now makes a covenant with His people.
The covenant will guide the people for good if they obey, and if they disobey, they will punish them with the diseases brought upon Egypt.
The Biblical Judgment Principle
The fact is that whatever we sow, we reap as we sow, and as we measure others, others will also consider us. (Galatians 6:7-8, Matthew 7:2)
The covenant is the law.
The law is fixed and eternal. Obedience ensures that the promise is fulfilled.
① Covenants are conditional (25); We must obey, we must do righteousness, we must keep the commandments.
② It is God's promise (26); Don't punish for illness. He will provide for your needs and heal you.
⊙ Jehovah who heals (Jehovah Rapha)
It was the healing of the waters that the LORD cleansed from the bitter waters of Marah and turned them into sweet water suitable for drinking.
God declared Himself to be "the healer of men's bodies and minds."
God takes care of and heals his sick and weary people in the midst of all the trials and difficulties of the wilderness journey. (Genesis 20:17, 1 Samuel 6:3, 2 Chronicles 7:14, 30:20, Psalm 41:4, 103:3, 147:3, Isaiah 53:5, Jeremiah 3:22, 6:14, 30:17 , Ho 6:1)
3. Abundant supply (27)
He led them to Elim to provide abundantly for the needs of the people with the goodness of the Lord.
Elim was a prosperous region, with twelve springs of water and seventy palms.
The point: God's abundance is abundantly satisfying the needs of His people.
⊙ God provides abundantly for our needs.
① God fills us with true joy and satisfaction. lead us to salvation.
(Isa 12:3, Psalm 16:11, Isaiah 35:10, John 15:11, 16:24, Romans 14:17)
② God leads us to green pastures and to still waters even in the trials of life. No matter what happens to us, He cares for us abundantly, without want.
(Psalm 36:8, 68:19, Isaiah 30:23, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Ephesians 3:20, Phil 4:19)
conclusion :
⊙ Types, symbols, and models: The bitter waters of Mara (22~26) are the trials of life (23~25).
God bless the bitter experiences of our lives
① He will make it beautiful
② He will deal with the bitter pain
③ He will help you to endure hardships.
④ He will strengthen us so that we can overcome these difficulties and overcome them.