Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25Then he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. (Exodus 15:22-25)
After the Israelites celebrated their deliverance from the Egyptians, Moses led them away from the Red Sea and out into the wilderness of the Shur Desert. This new land was hot, dry, and sandy. It was not at all like Egypt. On this land, there was no pasture with green grass on which the livestock could graze. All of the people became hot and tired from their march through the desert. They had traveled for three days without finding water. Both the people and the animals were very thirsty.At last, they came to a place called Marah. Here they found water. However, when the Israelites bent down to drink at a bubbling spring of water, they found it was bitter tasting. As thirsty as they were, they could not drink the water! How upset they became! Again, Moses was blamed for this trouble. “What are we gong to drink?” they demanded.Even Moses was thirsty. He prayed to God for help, and the Lord showed him a tree that grew next to the spring. “Cut down the tree and throw it into the spring,” God said. When Moses did this, the water became sweet tasting.The people drank the water and their thirst was quenched. Then, they led their flocks and herds to the spring to drink. How much better everyone felt!The Lord wanted the Israelites to trust Him. “I will always be with you if you do what is right in Mine eyes,” God said. “Do this and I will not bring on any of the illnesses that I brought on the Egyptians. I am the Lord who heals you.”It was time to continue the journey. The people broke camp and traveled until they found a beautiful oasis with palm trees and twelve wells of water. This place was named Elim. Here, the people pitched their tents to rest and to drink the cool refreshing water.
God has made many “great and precious” promises to those who will serve Him. Do you worship and serve God? Maybe you are looking for a church where people hold God in reverence and worship and serve Him faithfully. We would love to have you visit in our assembly and see how real Christians love and worship God. The times of our assemblies are found on the home under the “Worship Times” tab. Come see us.
