After praising the Lord on the shore of the Red Sea, Israel is now faced with a wilderness of want. But it is here that LORD tested Israel to teach them about what it means to follow Him as LORD. This story is meant to teach us today some important truths about the Christian life. Three truths of the Christian life that we learn from this text this morning.
1. The road to the promise land passes through the wilderness. vs. 22-25a
– Moses made the people leave and head into the wilderness of Shur, and for three days they found no water. Until that came to a placed called Marah (which means bitter), there was water but it was not drinkable. The result was grumbling to Moses. But why did they grumble so quickly?
o They were living by sight instead of living by faith. They had already forgot who and what God had done for them. There was still bitterness (sin) that remained in their heart.
o They were not trusting their leader, Moses whom God had given them. Like them, our grumbling is not always directed to God at first but to others.
– But Moses prayed to the LORD. They Lord gave grace in the form of a log that Moses threw into the water, and it became sweet!
“This reminds us of some of the other trees in Scripture: the life-giving tree in the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9); the tree of life in the New Jerusalem, with leaves for healing the nations (Revelation 22:2); and especially the tree on which Christ was crucified—the tree that heals our bitter, bitter sin. God seems to specialize in trees of healing.” Philip Ryken
2. Understand that testing comes after being saved. vs. 25b-26
– Remember that the people are already saved and are on the other side of the Red Sea and are free but they are not home yet, there is a journey ahead! Do you see what’s happening here? God is testing them on their journey to the Promised Land by reintroducing the beginning of the Ten Plagues to them in a much less severe form.
o There are no shortcuts to the promise land. God is saying trust me or be warned of what will come.
o Here is the test: Will you listen to me? Will you do what He says? Will you give ear to the LORD? Will you obey the Lord? Will you still sing when life gets bitter or tough!
3. Know that the LORD has better things for you in the future. vs. 27
– Elim means a place of rest, healing, plenty, and prosperity. Notice that they are led to Elim and there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. There were twelve tribes in Israel and seventy elders. It’s symbolically there to testify to God’s absolute provision for his people. When your life is bitter, don’t forget God, because he hasn’t forgotten you. Jn 7:37; Rev. 22:17
We come to the Lord’s Table this morning and we are provided with the vivid reminder that we need on our journey to glory and are commanded to observe often. Jesus Christ is our Passover Lamb. His body was broken for us and His holy blood poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. Because of Christ we have had bitterness of sin removed and have tasted the life-giving waters of God and Elim awaits us.