(4) Marah
The Wilderness Journey • Sermon • Submitted
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· 40 viewsThe Israelites were tested on the way to and at Marah.
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1. The LORD gave the Israelites victory at the Red Sea because they put their faith in Him. (Stand firm / Move forward)
a. Get ready to move forward by faith because Jesus is going to make the impossible possible!
2. Walking by faith in Jesus is life-changing!
a. (Exodus 14:31, NIV) And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.
3. The victory at the Red Sea led to the praise song of Moses (Exodus 15)
(Numbers 33:8–9, NIV) They left Pi Hahiroth and passed through the sea into the desert, and when they had traveled for three days in the Desert of Etham, they camped at Marah. 9 They left Marah and went to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there.
(Exodus 15:22–27, NIV) Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” 25 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” 27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.
I. The Israelites Were Tested On Their Way To And At Marah
I. The Israelites Were Tested On Their Way To And At Marah
A. Throughout Their Wilderness Journey The LORD Would Repeatedly Teach And Test The Israelite’s Faith
A. Throughout Their Wilderness Journey The LORD Would Repeatedly Teach And Test The Israelite’s Faith
1. At Passover the Israelites were taught the basics of faith: Trust & Obey
1. At Passover the Israelites were taught the basics of faith: Trust & Obey
(Exodus 12:13) ... when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
2. At the Red Sea the LORD once again put the Israelites in a position where their faith was tested.
2. At the Red Sea the LORD once again put the Israelites in a position where their faith was tested.
(Exodus 14:13) ... Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.
3. The elation of victory at the Red Sea was immediately followed by a time of testing in the desert.
3. The elation of victory at the Red Sea was immediately followed by a time of testing in the desert.
(Exodus 15:22, NIV) Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.
4. The LORD was preparing the Israelites for victory in the Promised Land; but there is no victory without faith in Jesus!
4. The LORD was preparing the Israelites for victory in the Promised Land; but there is no victory without faith in Jesus!
(1 John 5:4, NLT) ... every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.
Hymn: Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! O glorious victory that overcomes the world.
B. The Desert Of Etham Was The Beginning Of Another Test Of Their Faith (Etham in Num.33:8 / Shur in Ex.15:22)
B. The Desert Of Etham Was The Beginning Of Another Test Of Their Faith (Etham in Num.33:8 / Shur in Ex.15:22)
1. It would have been easy for the Israelites to become perplexed when they didn’t find any water.
1. It would have been easy for the Israelites to become perplexed when they didn’t find any water.
2. Yet, their deliverance at the Red Sea should have given them confidence in the LORD.
2. Yet, their deliverance at the Red Sea should have given them confidence in the LORD.
3. While the lack of water appeared to be life threatening, no one died or came to harm.
3. While the lack of water appeared to be life threatening, no one died or came to harm.
C. The Israelites Searched For Water For Three Days And Finally Found Water At Marah!
C. The Israelites Searched For Water For Three Days And Finally Found Water At Marah!
1. Their excitement quickly turned to bitter disappointment when they realized the water was bitter.
1. Their excitement quickly turned to bitter disappointment when they realized the water was bitter.
Exodus 15:23–26, NIV) When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” 25 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Marah = “Bitter”
2. Not everything that looks good is good for you!
2. Not everything that looks good is good for you!
The LORD was teaching the Israelites how to deal with their bitter situations.
The LORD was teaching the Israelites how to deal with their bitter situations.
(1) The cross of Jesus! (Symbolized by the wood that was thrown into the water)
(2) (Luke 9:23) Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
People all around us are drinking bitter water in the desert!
People all around us are drinking bitter water in the desert!
(1) Those who drink bitter water will suffer the judgment of God. (Sickness of all kinds: spiritual, physical, emotional)
3. How do you deal with your bitter situations?
3. How do you deal with your bitter situations?
Grumble
Grumble
(Exodus 15:23–24, NIV) When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
Medicate
Medicate
(1) People usually have a weakness that they turn to in order to medicate the pain of their disappointment.
(2) There is “pleasure in sin” for a season, but sin always leaves you worse off than you were before.
Listen & Obey
Listen & Obey
(Exodus 15:26, NIV) “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Listen: carefully (NIV); diligently (ESV); earnestly (NASB95)
Listening alone won’t give you the victory; you need to listen and obey!
At first this passage seems to be repeating itself; yet that is not the case.
At first this passage seems to be repeating itself; yet that is not the case.
The first part of this passage is referring to the Rhema (revelation) Word of the LORD. (Jesus is speaking!)
The first part of this passage is referring to the Rhema (revelation) Word of the LORD. (Jesus is speaking!)
i. (Exodus 15:26a, ESV) If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, ...
ii. Jesus gives Rhema Revelation even in the most bitter of situations!
However, we often don’t hear His voice because we’re so disappointed by the bitter circumstance.
The second part of this passage is referring to the Logos (written) Word of the LORD. (Jesus is speaking!)
The second part of this passage is referring to the Logos (written) Word of the LORD. (Jesus is speaking!)
(Exodus 15:26b, ESV) ... give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes,
The Hebrew word used for “commands” is mitswah and is often synonymous with Torah (Law)
(c) Some Christian groups lean towards Rhema revelation while others only embrace the written Word (Logos)
The LORD is telling us that we need both! Rhema revelation and the written Word (Logos)
The LORD is telling us that we need both! Rhema revelation and the written Word (Logos)
Because Moses listened and obeyed the LORD’s voice the “bitter” situation was turned around!
(Exodus 15:25, NIV) Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test.
D. The Difficult Lessons Of Faith The LORD Was Teaching The Israelites
D. The Difficult Lessons Of Faith The LORD Was Teaching The Israelites
1. Live by faith and not by feelings. (Faith is focused on Jesus; feelings are focused on circumstances.)
1. Live by faith and not by feelings. (Faith is focused on Jesus; feelings are focused on circumstances.)
2. Trust Jesus to work all things together for good.
2. Trust Jesus to work all things together for good.
(Romans 8:28, NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
3. Trust Jesus that He is taking you from glory to glory.
3. Trust Jesus that He is taking you from glory to glory.
Some focus on the difficulties, others focus on Jesus during the difficulty and thus are being transformed!
(2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV) And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
II. Refreshing And Rest At Elim
II. Refreshing And Rest At Elim
A. Every Season Of Testing Is Followed By A Time Of Refreshing And Rest!
A. Every Season Of Testing Is Followed By A Time Of Refreshing And Rest!
1. (Exodus 15:27, NIV) Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.
1. (Exodus 15:27, NIV) Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.
2. Hold on, your bitter season won’t last ... seasons change ... your time of refreshing and rest is coming!
2. Hold on, your bitter season won’t last ... seasons change ... your time of refreshing and rest is coming!