Topical Bible: Israel: Water of, Sweetened

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The event of the sweetening of the waters in Israel's history is a significant moment that underscores God's provision and care for His people during their wilderness journey. This event is recorded in the Book of Exodus, specifically in Exodus 15:22-25.

After the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, the Israelites, led by Moses, traveled into the Desert of Shur. For three days, they journeyed without finding water, which led to a dire situation for the multitude. When they finally arrived at Marah, they discovered that the waters there were bitter and undrinkable, causing the people to grumble against Moses.

In response to the people's complaints, Moses cried out to the LORD, who provided a solution to their predicament. The LORD showed Moses a piece of wood and instructed him to throw it into the water. Upon doing so, the waters were miraculously sweetened, making them fit for consumption. This act of divine intervention is recorded in Exodus 15:25 : "So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. When he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened."

This miracle at Marah is emblematic of God's ability to transform situations of bitterness into ones of blessing. It serves as a testament to His power and faithfulness, reinforcing the theme of divine provision that runs throughout the narrative of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.

Furthermore, the sweetening of the waters at Marah is not only a physical transformation but also carries spiritual significance. It is a reminder of the importance of obedience and trust in God's instructions, as well as His willingness to provide for His people in times of need. The event also prefigures the many instances where God would continue to meet the needs of the Israelites throughout their wilderness journey, despite their frequent complaints and lack of faith.

In the broader biblical context, the sweetening of the waters can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate provision of living water through Jesus Christ, who offers spiritual sustenance and eternal life to all who believe in Him. This connection highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

The account of the sweetened waters at Marah remains a powerful illustration of God's mercy and the transformative power of His word, encouraging believers to trust in His provision and to seek His guidance in times of trial and uncertainty.

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Exodus 15:25
And he cried to the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
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Library

Marah; Or, the Bitter Waters Sweetened
... When Israel received water out of the rock it was not ... of life and the troubles of
death are sweetened by his ... the tree, and put it into the water, it turned the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/marah or the bitter waters.htm

Argument from the Destruction of Jerusalem and Desolation of Judea ...
... 1403] it was of yore wherewith Moses sweetened the bitter ... is on Him," [1406] the
baptismal water of the ... have revived,"a faith from which Israel has fallen ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter xiii argument from the destruction.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... child, and go into the land of Israel, for they ... river when Moses was floating in
the water; and Mary ... Moses sweetened the bitter waters by the wood; and Jesus ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

Christ Manifesting Himself to his People
... He who toils the most has his bread the most sweetened; and depend upon it, drops
of sweat are ... Before Israel fought Amalck, God gave them water from the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christ manifesting himself to his.htm

The First Disciples: iv. Nathanael
... So all human ties will be sweetened, ennobled, elevated, and ... him could his name be
altered, and he become Israel. ... back to the city, leaving her water-pot, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first disciples iv nathanael.htm

An Appendix to the Beatitudes
... be thou, bid me come unto thee upon the water' (Matthew 14 ... And now, O Israel, what
doth the Lord thy God require of ... (7) Christ's commands are sweetened with joy ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/an appendix to the beatitudes.htm

On the Words, Crucified and Buried.
... For he signifies that the grace of life is no longer to dwell in Israel, but among
the Gentiles. ... The wood in Moses' case sweetened the water; and from the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xiii on the words.htm

Three Decisive Steps
... some such case were the people of Israel; and when ... Thy lamentations after the Lord
may be sweetened with a ... resting-place; she must drop into the water and drown ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/three decisive steps.htm

The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
... presents sin to them coloured with beauty, sweetened with pleasure ... wine, will not
much thirst after water; and that ... who was the great mourner of Israel, was the ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/11 the comforts belonging to.htm

Hosanna!
... Among the tribes of Israel is he seen to be "one ... honey, until the bitterness of grief
is sweetened, and his ... The low-water mark of lukewarmness is covered deep ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/hosanna.htm