577. EXO 15:24, EXO 15:25. THE WATERS OF MARAH

Exo_15:24, Exo_15:25. The Waters of 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."’97Exo_15:24, Exo_15:25.

How varied and checkered are the scenes of human life. The triumphant song of Moses had just been sung with grateful ecstasy, and its celestial strains had scarcely died away, when we are called to behold a scene of the directly opposite character.

The Israelites travel three days’ journey, in the wilderness, without finding water This was a very great trial. None but those who have traversed the dreary deserts of the East, can duly judge of this great privation. At length they arrive at Marah, and here was an abundance of the fluid which they wanted; but alas! the waters were bitter, and unfit for use, and "the people murmured," etc. Observe,

1. That in the journey of life, many are the Marahs, or waters of bitterness. Man’s estate has been disturbed and rendered vexatious and sorrowful through the entrance of sin into our world. "Man that is born," etc. The very figure by which the world is represented. A desert. A wilderness, etc. There are,

1. Personal waters of bitterness. Our individual troubles and trials. Our temptations, etc. Every heart knows its own bitterness, etc.

2. Domestic waters of bitterness. Family afflictions and troubles. Incorrigible children. Afflictions,’97separations,’97bereavements, etc.

3. There are church waters of bitterness. When the people of God are languid, etc. Sion depressed, etc. When her friends forsake her. Her ordinances neglected, etc. See the case of Neh_2:1, etc., and Jeremiah, Lam_6:1-4.

4. There are worldly waters of bitterness. Distresses arising from our connection with it, etc. Losses, etc.

II. That even God’s people are liable to murmur, when they come to these waters of bitterness.

1. This is a truth which the history of the church strikingly attests. The Israelites. Jacob. Elijah. Jonah.

2. This is a truth which our own experience confirms. How prone we have been to do so. Yea, sometimes even in the anticipation of sorrow. How unyielding and self-witted we have been.

3. This is a truth which exhibits the imperfection and influence of the pious. It shows that self often predominates. That unbelief still exists. Sense, and not faith, triumphs. That patience has not its perfect work. Such murmuring grieves God’97is very offensive to him. Attacks his goodness, faithfulness, and wisdom.

III. That earnest prayer is the only solace amid the bitter waters of life. "Moses cried," etc.

1. Now this is the appointed remedy. "Call upon me," etc. "Is any afflicted," etc.

2. This throws the burden on the Lord

"Cast thy burden," etc. "Casting all your care," etc.

3. This secures the interposition of the Divine help. He has said, he will honor prayer. He has always done so. He ever will do so. He did so in the case of the text.

IV. That faith in the cross of the Lord Jesus, is the great remedy for all the bitterness of life. The cross is the wood that makes the waters sweet, and faith in the cross secures the blessing to us.

1. Now in the cross we learn the transcendent love of God to us. "If God spared not his own Son," etc.

2. In the cross we see the real desert of our sins. Behold the misery we had justly incurred. That cross, in all its agonies, was justly ours. We deserved it. Christ bore it for us, etc. What are our afflictions to those of Jesus?

3. In the cross we have a model of patience and resignation. Murmurer, go and see Jesus, calm’97resigned’97meek’97pensive, and he left us an example.

4. In the cross we have the ground of expectation laid, that God will deal mercifully with us. He will send us help. He will give consolation, etc. He will make our sufferings the road to exaltation and glory’97the path to joy and blessedness, etc. "Yea, doubtless, I count all things but loss," etc.

Application

1. Murmuring at the waters of Marah, only increases our own sorrow. No joy or consolation ever came by murmuring. It displeases God. Darkens the sky. Blights the spirit.

2. Let us expect these waters, and thus we shall not be disappointed. There is a needs-be for the sorrows of life, etc.

3. Let our prayers he earnest, and have reference to the promises of God.

4. To the penitential sinner’97look at the cross, and thy sorrow shall be turned into joy, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS