Tree of Marah

15b Tree of Marah – A Tree of Healing / Making Bitter Waters Sweet

(Handful of Purposes, vol2, pg. 77)

Exodus 15:22-27 (From Singing to Complaining, to blessings. It seems to be the cycle of man.)

22. So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea [singing and rejoice over the Lord’s victory over Egytp], and they went out into the wilderness of Shur [it has been said before that you are either headed into a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm]; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. [Three days in wilderness might make any man bitter.]

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.

a. Who is bitter the people or the water? Clearly the water, but why? Furthermore, where is their focus? No longer on the victory and God’s power to deliver, but on the wilderness. Do you ever find yourself in this place – a place of bitterness when it wasn’t too long before you were full of joy?

24. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

a. It is what people do. Not so much that they murmur against God, but they do murmur against the church leadership. Life, the same today as yesterday!

i. There’s an old Jewish story that goes like this: A chassid [2nd or 3rd century orthodox Jew] once asked his rebbe for advice on dealing with life’s challenges. “Go see Reb Zushe in Anipoli,” he was told. “He is a master of challenge.” Reb Zushe was by far the poorest man in town. In financial terms, he was “objectively” and abjectly penniless. Cold, hunger and illness were constants in his home. The rebbe had chosen well. Here was a sufferer by all standards. Imagine the chassid’s surprise when, in answer to his request for tips on dealing with life’s difficulties, a bewildered Reb Zushe responded, “Difficulties? I’m afraid I can’t help you. I’ve never had a difficult day in my life. Pain, suffering, poverty? You must be looking for someone else . . .” The power of Reb Zushe was not that he overcame his suffering; it’s that he didn’t see suffering to begin with.

b. When we are sold out to God, and keep our eyes on the Lord, we too shall not see the sufferings in our own lives. We will be in a position to “in everything give thanks.” (1 Thess. 5:18).

25. 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,

a. Moses took the issue (problem if you will) to God – And God showed him a tree. This is what we too can expect when we truly walk with God, living in the Spirit, and being led by the Spirit. “Ask and it shall be given you;” Matthew 7:7.

b. This is what GOD is able to do even in your lives. He can make that which is bitter in your life sweet enough to drink.

c. I wonder, has the God shown you His Tree? Has HE introduced you to His Branch, the one that exchanges beauty for ashes?

A time of instruction and promises:

26. 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. Jehovah-Rapha. The Psalmist would later write: (The God He was is the God He is).

a. Psalm 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

b. Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

c. The word for health, (Rapha) is only used 4 times in the OT and all are in connection with God healing.

27. And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

a. And once again, back to the blessings of God.

b. Elim means strong trees. Here we see an abundance of God’s provisions in a well for each tribe (12) and 70 trees.

c. The number 70 has great significance throughout the Bible. Seventy has a sacred meaning in the Bible that is made up of the factors of two perfect numbers, seven (representing perfection) and ten (representing completeness and God's law). As such, it symbolizes perfect spiritual order carried out with all power. It can also represent a period of judgment.

d. The significance carried over into the NT in the ministry of Jesus Christ, 70 sent out / 70 parables.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20.

HE is the same today as He was yesterday – He is the same God to you and me that He was to them.

Notes:

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4640959/jewish/10-Historic-Trees-in-the-Torah.htm

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/1401655/jewish/The-Bitter-Waters-of-Marah-You-See-What-You-Are.htm

Meaning of the Number 70 in the Bible (biblestudy.org) (Includes 70 parables of Jesus)