Purpose: To show how God used bitter water to display His power.
Aim: I want the listener to be confident in God’s ability to solve any problem.
INTRODUCTION: Today’s text occurs right after God delivered the Jews from slavery in Egypt and from the entire Egyptian army. Excitement and euphoria filled the entire nation of Israel which was expressed in the song that Moses had just written: Exodus 15:1–3 Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and said, “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea. “The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him. “The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name. (NAU)
The first thing that God does is to take them for a three day journey without any water. Imagine the scene. You are one of the one and a half to two million Jews traveling the first day without finding water. Oh well, you are carrying some water with you. It was warm, but it is still wet. The second day comes and goes and still there is no water. Your containers of water are now empty. Your feeling of thirst is turning to deep concern. You hear your children complaining and you have no water to give them. You head out early in the morning on day three, and still there is still no water. Then you hear someone shouting, “I see water ahead.” You quicken your pace. Not long now until you and your family can finally get a drink of water. You crowd around the edge of a pool of water called Marah, and plunge your face into the water. The water is cool and soothing on your face. You take a big gulp, and then immediately spit it out. It is very bitter. In fact, it is so bitter that even your intense thirst does not tempt you to try another swallow.
Today we are going to learn why God would allow so many Jews to be thirsty and then lead them to a pool of worthless water. We know that this incident has some important lessons in it for us because Paul said, 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (NAU)
►Vs.22-24 I. The Need for God’s Healing
► Vs. 22 A. God allows us to be in need “three days…no water”
God allows hard things so that we can learn to trust Him. ►Deuteronomy 8:2–3 “You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. (NAU)
The same God who had led them to the Red Sea where it appeared there was no way to escape the world’s most powerful army that was closing in on them, has now led them into the desert.
► Vs.23-24 B. God allows us to taste bitterness “they could not drink”
Trials come from God. It is our choice to either grow or complain. It is up to us whether we will become bitter or better.
We will either seek God’s help and blessing during times of distress or we will walk away from God.
►In What Ways Can God Heal us?
► #1 Physically
The God who made our bodies can surely fix them when they are broken. It is important to point out, though, that nowhere in the Bible does God promise to always heal our bodies. If He did how would we get to heaven?
In fact, in 2 Corinthians 12 Paul asked God three times to remove a physical problem from him and God refused to do it. Instead, God gave him grace to endure.
Many people have quoted a verse from Isaiah 53 as proof that Jesus died on the Cross so we can be healed physically: Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. (NAU) The entire context though, is about sin not sickness. Peter quotes this verse in the context of sin as well: 1 Peter 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. (NAU)
There is ultimate physical healing for those who have been healed from sin. Matthew points out that Jesus proved that He could heal physically and spiritually in Matthew 8:16–17 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES.” (NAU)
One day every Christian will have a glorified body that is free from all sickness. Romans 8:23–25 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, [i.e. those who are saved] even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.[notice that this is future] For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. (NAU)
► #2 Emotionally
The Messiah would come to do several things: Isaiah 61:1–2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, (NAU)
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. (NAU)
If you have been wounded emotionally then Jesus can heal you. You don’t have to live your life carrying around open wounds. Do you remember Christ’s invitation? Matthew 11:28–30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (NAU)
In a minute, I will show from today’s text how we can be healed emotionally.
► #3 Spiritually
The most important healing that we need is spiritual. If we are healed in every other way, but not spiritually then it is all in vain.
Each of us were born with a spiritual sickness that is an open, running sore. The heart of man is desperately sick, says Jeremiah in Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? (NAU)
Isaiah 1:5–6 … The whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head there is nothing sound in it, only bruises, welts and raw wounds, not pressed out or bandaged, nor softened with oil. (NAU)
Isaiah 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way… (NAU)
“False prophets are condemned because they deal only with the symptoms and not with the deep spiritual hurts of the people: ‘They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.’” (Je 6:14; Je 8:11). [1]
vVs.25-26 II. The Path to God’s Healing
“The big question is not whether we can sing in our triumph at the Red Sea, but whether we can sing in our troubles at Marah”. [2]
How do we do that?
► Vs.25a A. Cry out to God “he cried out to the LORD”
When you complain, who to you complain to? Others, yourself? Are you in a trial right now? How much time have you spend talking to God about it?
Psalm 107:19–20 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. (NAU)
► Vs.25b B. Believe in God’s power to heal “waters became sweet”
They had just been delivered from 400 years of slavery through one of the greatest miracles in the entire history of mankind. God parted the Red Sea and drowned the Egyptian army.
So, if God can part a large body of water, He surely can provide water.
It may sound strange that God used a tree to sweeten bitter water, but the point is God can solve the bitterness of our hearts through any means He chooses.
If you think that the bitterness in your heart cannot be healed then you need to repent of the sin of unbelief.
► Vs.25c C. See problems as a test “there He tested them”
The question is NOT “Is God good?” but “Am I good?”
►Why Does God Test Us With Trials?
► #1 To reveal the health of our faith
We may think that we are really trusting the Lord, but we don't know if we really are until a trial comes our way. The Jews had just walked across the Red Sea on dry ground, but that was easy. There was no other choice! Could the same God who heaped walls of water on both sides of them provide enough water for them to drink?
Paul learned the secret: 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (NAU)
Are you willing to let God show you how weak you really are?
► #2 To display the power of God
God receives the greatest praise when we come to a situation that only a miracle from God will solve.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (NAU)
► #3 To increase our longing for heaven
Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; (NAU)
Revelation 21:4–5 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” (NAU)
► #4 To reveal the awfulness of sin
Charles Spurgeon pointed out: “Even unto this day the body is under death because of sin, and is left so on purpose to remind us of the affects of sin, that we may feel within ourselves what sin has done, and may the better guess at what sin would have done if we had remained under it, for the pains of hell would have been ours forever.”
We need to Cry to God, Believe in God’s power to heal, and See problems as a test, and also need to,
► Vs.26a D. Listen to God “give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God”
Psalm 81:8–10 “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to Me! “Let there be no strange god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. “I, the LORD, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. (NAU)
► Vs.26b E. Obey God “do what is right”
When God says that sin will bring bitterness, believe Him! Proverbs 5:3–4 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. (NAU)
It is important that we focus on our need to obey more than we focus on getting what we want. Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (NAU)
Hosea 6:1 “Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. (NAU)
► Vs.26c F. Trust in God “I, the LORD, am your healer”
RAPHA is “A verb meaning to heal, to make fresh. It describes the process of healing, being restored to health, made healthy, usable, fertile.” [4]
Are you just looking to God for solutions or are you just looking to God?
Psalm 42:1–2 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? (NAU)
God says that He is our healer. He didn’t just say He healed bitter water, so we can know that He healed the bitter water in order to teach us that He can heal anything.
If we did not have trials we would not know that God could heal them.
►Vs.27 III. The Results of God’s Healing
“From Marah the people went to Elim, probably Wadi Gharandel about seven miles south of Marah, where there was abundant water and shade as is true today. There were 12 springs and 70 palm trees at Elim. Exactly how long the people camped there is not stated. Perhaps Moses’ knowledge of the region helped the people locate Elim. [5]
God had them in Marah, but then took them to Elim. God always knows what is best for his people.
In the midst of every trial we should look ahead to what God has in store for us. Psalm 42:5–8 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. O my God, my soul is in despair within me; Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me. The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life. (NAU)
► A. God provides generously “twelve…seventy”
John 7:37–38 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ” (NAU)
► B. God provides good things “springs of water…date palms”
Isaiah 12:3 Therefore you will joyously draw water From the springs of salvation. (NAU)
William Cowper put it this way in one of his hymns:
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
CONCLUSION: Do you need healing today? If so then flee to the cross of Jesus Christ, and the bitter can be made "sweet" by Jehovah Rapha. The circumstances may still be hard, but remember that, Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:36–37 NAU).
Jehovah Rapha desires for us all to be “super conquerors” IN THE MIDST of our hard situations. We can be sweet in the midst of a bitter circumstance.
There is an unexplainable thrill of being able to give a gift to someone you really love. Don't you sometimes feel a deep longing to give something back to Jesus who purchased your eternal healing through His torture?
Can you imagine the thrill of hearing Jesus explain before the universe how you had been faithful and then say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant” and then see Him reach out and hand you a crown. It will be such a thrill, not because we envy trophies to hang on the wall of our mansions in heaven, but because we want the thrill of throwing those crowns at Jesus feet. It IS more blessed to give than to receive.
If you were to go to heaven today, would you receive crowns to give back to Him?
The conscience is not to be healed if it be not wounded.
William Perkins [6]
[1]Vine, W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 1996. Nelson
[2]Maxie Dunnam and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, vol. 2, The Preacher's Commentary Series, Volume 2 : Exodus, The Preacher's Commentary series, 172 (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1987).
[3]"Jehovah Rophi" by Charles Spurgeon in "Spurgeon's Expository Encyclopedia" Vol. 7 Page 452
[4]Baker, W.. The Complete Word Study Dictionary : Old Testament. Page 1070. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers
[5]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures, Ex 15:27 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-).
[6]I.D.E. Thomas, The Golden Treasury of Puritan Quotations, electronic ed., 61 (Simpsonville SC: Christian Classics Foundation, 1996).
