Israel Murmurs and Complains
 

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Scripture Lesson is Exodus 15:22-16:3.  This is an excerpt from the message.

 

Exodus 15:22 So Moses brought 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.

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God chooses to train them up in difficulties. In those days Israel was fresh from the glorious deliverance out of Egypt. This was their first disappointment. Great joy is often closely followed by a great trial. God demonstrates his great power and then steps back to try our hearts. The great times should propel us through the valleys.

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Ver. 23: 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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The Israelites traveled three days watching their water supply dwindle, yet confident they would be refreshed once they reach Marah. In Marah they had water, but it was bitter. God let trial succeed trial and disappointment follow on disappointment. God leaves us to taste the sharpness of privation, that we may be led to cry after Him.

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The only wells that never become bitter are the wells of salvation. Relationship, friendships, possessions, business, and social position - sweet today, and made bitter tomorrow.

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Ver. 24: And the people murmured against Moses saying, What shall we drink? The greatest joys and hopes are soon turned into the greatest griefs and fears with those that live by sense only, and not by faith. Remember that murmuring is a mercy- embittering sin. To the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet, so to the murmuring soul
everything is bitter. 

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Do all things without murmurings and disputings. Phil 2: 14