Leaving Marah

Vision 2018: Forward Leaving Marah Exodus 15:27 Exodus 15:27Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters. NKJV Exodus 15:27After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water. NLT Introduction: I. A. Victory, Celebration, Downer. a. {Israel stood & saw the salvation of the LORD just as Moses told them Exodus 14:14.} b. {Exodus 15:1-22They had camp meeting on the shore of the Red Sea as Moses led them in a worship song & Miriam led the women in a worship dance. Exodus 15:20Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. 21And Miriam sang this song: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea.” } B. They pack up camp & travel towards their next stop. Is it not surprising that there is an instance of the stealing of joy? a. The Bible says they traveled three days before finding water, when they did it was bitter. The number three is a picture of “completeness.” ***Significance of three day: "A three day period points to an act of divine intervention which impacts Salvation History." b. Again the people complain, Moses prays & God answers. This time He shows Moses a “certain piece of wood.” He throws it into the water & it is made good to drink. Exodus 15:22-26 (BIBLE) II. Deal with Marah Bitterness is an enemy which, and as most of the time, the enemy enters in by thought. Isaiah says, Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Ecclesiastes 7:9Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. ESV Remember the application: Face it & Pluck it up. A. Bitterness is in Bad Company Ephesians 4:31-32 & Colossians 3:8 Note: Bitterness is listed alongside wrath, anger, clamor, slander & malice. Verse 30 says, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 4: 31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Colossians 3:8 lists the same sin & says to overcome it by putting 10on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. The CJB says you are continually being renewed in fuller and fuller knowledge, closer and closer to the image of (your) Creator. a. These are not character qualities you desire & are CERTAINLY not attributes of Father, Abba. The Bible deals with this extensively, which says it is an issue you should guard against & protect your spirit from that seed taking root. Do you notice how quickly Israel pointed the finger at Moses? Bitterness was taking root in their spirit. b. Forgiveness is key Ephesians 4:32Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Paul implies unforgiveness being a seed of bitterness. Who took steps towards establishing forgiveness between God & man? Father did, in fact, His initial show of forgiveness was His prophetic word in Genesis 3:15. Man had just fell into sin, broke the golden cord of communion with his Creator & God announces Savior is coming to crush the head of Satan, redeeming humanity. c. A final word on ridding bitterness through forgiveness Colossians 3:13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. NLT B. Bitterness is Contagious a. The author just completed a discourse on Divine Discipline & how it comes as a result of Fatherly love. Then says, Hebrews 12:14-17 (BIBLE). Notice verses 14-15 emphasize the effect & impact of bitterness on those around you. Psalm 37:8 says that anger & wrath "tends only to evil." b. 1 Samuel 30:6 says David was greatly distressed because the people were talking about stoning him because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. They had experienced a great loss & didn't know if their families were dead or alive. Bitterness crept in & made them react all crazy! C. What is the Source? a. Could it be the loss of hope, purpose, vision? Could it be buried, concealed faith lying dormant & inactive? b. Jeremiah, known as the "Weeping" Prophet writes a dissertation of his imbittered life from all these "things" that have devastated him. Then it is as if he removes the cloak of bitterness & focuses on his ONLY hope, the LORD & says - Lamentations 3:19-24 (BIBLE) NLT c. You overcome every ounce of bitterness, anger, wrath & slander by keeping your hope in the LORD & Him alone! III. What to do? A. 1 John 1:9 After the bitter waters of Marah, the presence of the LORD leads Israel to an oasis & palm trees. B. The reason we can do this is because of the resurrection of Christ. - He asks us to: * Repent * Live by Faith * Be Baptized * Be Filled with His Spirit Conclusion: PRESENT THE GOSPEL FOR SALVATION – EVERY WEEK – AND THE NEED TO COME FORWARD IN PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF CHRIST