The Tree (Ex. 15:22-27)

Introduction:

Exodus 15:22–27 KJV 1900

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. 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. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed 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, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

The contents of Exodus were so dramatic they were mentioned more than 140 times in the rest of the Old Testament.

When Christ came to earth, He repeatedly claimed that the writings of Moses were full of references to Him.

In the Book of Acts, more than a third of Stephen’s speech, leading to his martyrdom, was devoted to events in the Book of Exodus.

The Book of Hebrews shows us how the signs and symbols of Exodus pointed toward Jesus Christ.

We also know from church history that there are over 450 references to the Book of Exodus in the extant writings of the early Church Fathers of the first two centuries following the original apostles.

All of history has been mesmerized by the dramatic nature of this book—the birth of Moses, the bondage of the Hebrews, the plagues that fell on Egypt, the slaying of the Passover lamb, the deliverance from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the giving of the Ten Commandments, the building of the Tabernacle.

And in many of the Exodus events and miracles, we can see Jesus Christ.

[This Message Was Adapted from: Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2003 Edition. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2002), 112.]

Main Thought: We gather tonight to remember Christ. We Gather tonight to Examine Ourselves. We tonight because we believe Christ is coming, just as He said He would return to catch us away.

Sub-intro:

One commentator wrote: “With regard to God’s dealings with Israel between Egypt and Canaan, every miracle He performed on their behalf provided a fresh type of Christ.” Today’s passage gives us a poignant example of that.

Body:

I. The Test

In the first part of Exodus 15, the people were rejoicing over their miraculous crossing through the Red Sea. In the last part of the chapter they were again trapped, this time in a waterless desert.

Why would God deliver them through parted waters only to allow them to suffer lack of water in the desert?

Can you imagine hundreds of thousands of people wandering in the desert for three days with absolutely no water for their animals, their children, or themselves? But it was even worse than that. Just when they thought they were goners, someone near the front shouted, “Water ahead!”

With an enfeebled burst of energy the hoards of Israel bolted toward the lake, tongues hanging out, cups ready, children eager to lap up the cool life-sustaining liquid.

Imagine their disappointment when the first ones there spewed the water out, faces filled with disgust. The water was brackish, salty, and undrinkable.

The disappointment was staggering.

Why did God map out such a route? Why would He allow such a terrible disappointment?

The answer is hidden away in a little phrase in the last part of verse 25.

Exodus 15:25 KJV 1900

And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed 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,

Notice these four words: “There He proved them.”

The Bible says that God sometimes tests us. He puts us in difficult or perplexing situations to see if we’ve learned anything from past experiences.

He wants to develop and mature us, to see what we’re made of spiritually, to develop our faith (1 Chron. 29:17; Prov. 17:3; Ezek. 21:13).

1 Chronicles 29:17 KJV 1900

I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

Proverbs 17:3 KJV 1900

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: But the Lord trieth the hearts.

Ezekiel 21:13 KJV 1900

Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord God.

II. The Tree

The people failed the test. Instead of trusting God, they grumbled against the Lord.

But when Moses cried out to the Lord, “the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet” (verse 25).

Why a tree?

As missionary Amy Carmichael said,

“We all know what the Tree means. Nothing less than the powers of Calvary can turn our bitter waters into sweet waters.”

The tree in Exodus 15 was a prophecy, a type or symbol of the Cross of Calvary that turns the waters of our lives from bitter to blessed.

Acts 5:30 says that Jesus was killed by being hanged on a tree.

Acts 5:30 KJV 1900

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Galatians 3:13, referring to Christ, says, “Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.”

First Peter 2:24 says,

1 Peter 2:24 KJV 1900

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

The Cross of Christ turns our bitterest moments into blessings.

It is the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, like a tree thrown into a toxic pool, that transforms the waters of our lives into sweet, optimistic blessings.

The Bible says that God gives us beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isa. 61:3).

Isaiah 61:3 KJV 1900

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, To give unto them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they might be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Conclusion:

Perhaps today you need the Cross of Christ in your life.

You need the power of the death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus to transform your bitter ponds.

As we observe this commemoration of the Lord’s Table, remember that it is the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ that transforms, that redeems, that turns us from a bitter life to a blessed one.

O, can it be, upon a tree,

The Savior died for me?

My soul is thrilled, my heart is filled,

To think He died for me!

—John Newton