Topical Bible: Israel: Complained on Account of the Bitter Water

◄ Israel: Complained on Account of the Bitter Water ►

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Biblical Context:
The episode of Israel complaining about the bitter water is a significant event that took place shortly after the Israelites' miraculous exodus from Egypt. This event is recorded in the Book of Exodus, specifically in Exodus 15:22-27. It highlights the challenges faced by the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness and their reliance on God's provision.

Scriptural Account:
After the triumphant crossing of the Red Sea, where God delivered the Israelites from the pursuing Egyptian army, Moses led the people into the Desert of Shur. The Israelites traveled for three days without finding water, which led them to a place called Marah. The water at Marah was bitter and undrinkable, causing the people to grumble against Moses. The Berean Standard Bible records this incident as follows:

"So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah, for it was bitter. Therefore it was named Marah. So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?'" (Exodus 15:22-24).

Theological Significance:
This episode is emblematic of the Israelites' struggle with faith and trust in God despite witnessing His mighty acts. The name "Marah," meaning "bitter," not only describes the water but also symbolizes the spiritual state of the people. Their immediate reaction to adversity was to complain, reflecting a lack of faith and gratitude.

Divine Intervention:
In response to the people's complaints, Moses cried out to the LORD, who provided a solution. God instructed Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water, which miraculously turned the bitter water sweet and drinkable. This act demonstrated God's continued care and provision for His people, even in the face of their doubts and complaints.

"Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. When he cast it into the water, the water became sweet. There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them" (Exodus 15:25).

Lessons and Applications:
The incident at Marah serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and obedience. God used this moment to test the Israelites, teaching them to rely on Him and His commandments. The LORD declared that if they listened to His voice and kept His decrees, He would protect them from the diseases that afflicted the Egyptians, for He is "the LORD who heals you" (Exodus 15:26).

Subsequent Provision:
Following the events at Marah, God led the Israelites to Elim, a place of abundance with twelve springs and seventy palm trees, where they camped by the water. This transition from scarcity to abundance underscores God's ability to provide for His people beyond their immediate circumstances.

"Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there by the waters" (Exodus 15:27).

Conclusion:
The episode of the bitter water at Marah is a pivotal moment in the Israelites' wilderness journey, illustrating the challenges of faith and the necessity of trusting in God's provision. It serves as a timeless lesson for believers to maintain faith in God's promises, even when faced with trials and uncertainties.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 15:23-25
And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
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Library

Thanksgiving Versus Complaining
... against God." Divine history takes no account of second ... The children of Israel were
always complaining about ... when water was supplied they complained that it ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 15 thanksgiving versus complaining.htm

That it is the Prerogative of the Same Power to be Beneficent and ...
... Upbraiding is censure on account of what is base ... And having, by Jeremiah, complained
against the people on many ... and have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ix that it is the.htm

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion ...
... to receive one another chiefly upon the account of an ... For that, though water is not,
was the very entering ... and Joshua, and all the elders of Israel, would have ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/differences in judgment about water.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... has in it an excellent quality to support Israel in all ... this hiding of this sweet
face is bitter to the ... the next Psalm after, as afore he had complained of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

Preparation for Advent
... at the same time in King Jeroboam's court, complained loudly, it ... He would sift the
house of Israel among all ... history, and all men shall give account for their ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon ii preparation for advent.htm

The Mystery of Iniquity
... as "salvation to his people Israel." All Israel, one would ... to imagine, he was reading
an account of the ... many of the Reformers themselves complained, that "the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 61 the mystery of.htm

The Gospel Feast
... without our precious things, any more than Israel was: but ... John's account of the
tree of life, "which bare ... fall into the sin of those who complained that they ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xii the gospel feast.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... his father's sepulchre, When he had judged Israel twenty year ... That now we perish,
on th' account that we ... And when the people almost famished, Complained to the ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

Acts XXI
... of Moses as still binding; for they complained that Paul ... and forbade any breach of
fellowship on account of it ... hands on him, (28) crying out, Men of Israel, help ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxi.htm

The Life of Mr. Alexander Peden.
... ashamed of his office, and gave an account of his ... midst of my people the house of
Israel, &c ... devil's rattle-bag.""Since the revolution, he complained to his ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander 2.htm