Marah to Elim

[Exodus 15:22-27]

                God delivered the Israelites from the Red Sea (Exod. 15:2) and hurled the Egyptians into the sea with their horses (vv. 1, 4, 19, 21).  They were redeemed by God in His unfailing love (v.13).  Thus, Moses and the Israelites sang the song to the Lord in verses 1-21.  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 (v.22).  When they came to Marah (meaning: ‘bitterness’), they could not drink its water because it was bitter (v.23).  As a result, they grumbled against Moses (v.24). So Moses cried out to the Lord and the Lord heard his prayer (v.25).  The Lord showed him a piece of wood and Moses threw it into the water.  And the water became sweet (v.25).  There the Lord made a decree and a law for them, and there He tested them (v.25).  The Lord’s test was to see whether the Israelites would listen carefully to the voice of the Lord and do what was right in His eyes (v.26).  If they did so, God’s promise was that He would not bring on them any of the diseases He brought on the Egyptians.  It was because God is the Lord who heals them (v.26).  After God tested the Israelites, God led them to Elim (meaning “tree”) through Moses (v.27).  Elim was the second place in where they stayed after they crossed over the Red Sea.  And there were 12 springs and 70 palm trees (v.27).  It was like oasis to them.  You see, God who delivered the Israelites out of Egypt and led them in the desert, led them to the Red Sea and delivered them again from the Egyptians.  Then, He led them to Marah in where the Israelites couldn’t drink the water because it was bitter.  Why?  Why didn’t God lead them straight to Elim where there were 12 springs of water?  God was testing them.  God wanted to know whether the Israelites would do what was right in God’s eyes.  You see, God wanted them to listen to His voice (pay attention to His commands) and obey them.  Then, God led them to Elim where there were 12 springs and 70 palms trees.

According to Pastor Won K. Lee, Marah to Elim was about 6 miles.  It was like 3 hours walk.  Isn’t it interesting that the Israelites, who came out of the Red Sea, traveled in the desert for 3 days without finding water came to Marah and couldn’t drink water because it was bitter?  And they grumbled at Marah not knowing that God would lead them to Elim where there were 12 springs of water and 70 palm trees to give them shade.  You see, our God prepares Elim for all of us when we are at Marah.  In other words, when you and I are going through some bitter experiences in this world, God has already prepared for us oasis like Elim  And that Elim is right ahead of you.  It’s coming soon.  But we must remember that when we are going through some bitter experiences, God is maybe testing you to see whether you will continually trust in Him and obey His commands.  And when we pass His test, not only that He will heal us but He will also lead us to oasis of our life that is sweet to our souls.

What must we do?  First, we must trust that God who delivers us from Egypt and Red Sea can also deliver us from Marah.  Second, when we are at Marah, we must not grumble against God.  Rather, we must cry out to the Lord like Moses.  Third, we must be aware of God’s test.  He tests us at Marah.  I hope and pray that we can pass that test by listening to God’s voice (commands) and obey them.  Fourth, we must believe that God will heal us and will lead us to Elim of our life.

Trusting God who turns bitterness into sweet,

James Kim