God uses rather unique ways to teach us at times. In Exodus 15 we find the Israelites in the desert. After three days they finally found some water at Marah. Coming to the water with high expectations they understandably were distressed when they discovered it was bitter. Their immediate response was to grumble at Moses.
Moses in turn cried to the Lord who instructed him to take a tree and throw it into the water. To the amazement of all, the waters became sweet. Why would God go through this process?
First, to test them (v. 25). Through the test it became obvious they still had not learned to trust in God. In fact, they failed doubly by grumbling. Then, by providing a solution, God taught them again that He could be trusted in every situation. Finally, and most important, He revealed Himself as their great Physician; Jehovah-Rapha,
Egypt experienced many diseases as judgment for their rebellion. Though it doesn’t say in the text that some of them got sick from drinking the bitter water at Marah, it is implied, since God promised them that none of the diseases experienced by the Egyptians would inflict the Israelites if they walked rightly before Him. He would be their Healer, Jehovah-Rapha.
This chapter ends with God guiding them to “Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.” Elim was not far from Marah where the miracle of turning bitter water into drinkable water took place.
What lessons can we learn from their experience in these two cities?
