MOSES AT MARAH

As promised last week, this is a pull-out from the yet to be published book: "HIS HELPING HANDS"

“So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, what shall we drink? So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.” (Exodus 15:22-25)

This happened after the whole children of Israel had just spacing celebrated victory over their long time enemy. Pharaoh and the Egyptians, who Yahweh (Jehovah) had caused to perish in the Red Sea while they marched through the same Red Sea on dry ground.

It was not only the whole congregation of Israel that marched through the Red Sea in this great manifestation of God’s signs and wonders but also all their animals because, according to Moses, ‘not a hoof’ would be left behind. This is God’s miraculous deliverance for His peculiar people. This God (Yahweh) is still same today (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8).

In the above quoted passage, in verse 23, when they came to Marah, there was a turn in events. They found the water they needed but it was bitter. Literally speaking, Marah means bitter! This was a real test of faith for God’s people who had just witnessed and celebrated God’s mighty deliverance only to face this terrible travail. Three days in the wilderness and no water!

The body can go without food for more than 3 days but it is not healthy if it goes on for more than 3 days without water. It could be injurious without divine intervention. Consequently, we need to be careful when going through long periods of fasting and praying without food. The body needs plenty of water at such times to make our body systems and organs function effectively.

PEOPLE AND PROBLEMS

What was the reaction of the people? This is important for us to consider in our own situation today! Brother, after a long trial of faith, imagine you won and there was great breakthrough for you and family, and you were just ready to enjoy the spoils of your warfare and here the enemy comes again with another one of his schemes or devices. I want to say, all is permitted by God to test you whether you actually love Him more than your breakthrough or your spoils of war.

In this the children of Israel failed woefully. They murmured against Moses. It should be noted that when we murmur or grumble against our leaders that God chose to be over us, we actually grieve the heart of God. This is a sin on our own account for the Scripture says:

“All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.” (1 John 5:17)

There is therefore the need to be watchful in reacting to issues or challenges we encounter. My own popular saying in such times, almost a cliché in my mouth is: Jesus is Lord. How true is this statement! Jesus is Lord over the stormy as well as the calm or cool situation.

In such a situation, you can just say thank you Lord Jesus or Father, you are good all the time! God is good indeed in all situations and circumstances, all He wants from us is trust. We will be dealing with this in detail in another section of this book.

In a situation like Marah, it is a time to remember His past goodness, mercies, loving-kindness, blessings, favours and breakthroughs knowing that He is still the same and He can do all things even though the situation may be seem to be swallowing us up.

Paul the Apostle, in the New Testament passed through an extensive chronicle of perils and problems, as we shall see later; yet he later wrote in his epistle,

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

If we remain steadfast in God, the entire seemly bad situation will ultimately work out for our good.

MOSES’ REACTION MADE A DIFFERENCE

However, in Marah, one man reacted differently! The man Moses acted differently from all the other Israelites. You can make a difference wherever you are on the surface of the earth. Stand up for righteousness, integrity and truth. Let your yes be yes and no be no; let your word be your bond. As Christians, we are called to be saints (Ephesians 5:3) and the light and salt of the world. People are watching us more than they do other people of other religions or faiths. Many do not even know that Christianity is not a religion but life itself, for the Bible says:

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” (John 14:6)

In essence following Jesus is Life and leads to the Heavenly Father in eternal habitation. No faith or religion in the whole world promises that! What a wonderful life we have in Jesus if we so follow Him in truth, integrity and righteousness to the end. Do you know in doing this there is a greater reward here on earth too? This might only interest or amuse you, but it is true friend!

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

Moses did something we all need to emulate today. He cried out to Yahweh (Jehovah). Yahweh is the One who is and who causes to be.

Moses knew the God he served. He knew that God, who with an outstretched Arm, delivered His people, Israel, from Pharaoh and his cruel task masters. He knew that God, who visited Egypt with terrible plagues to break the backbone of Pharaoh, is still on the throne, no matter what raging of the enemy may be on the scene.

At this juncture, I will want you know to note this: Fact is different from Truth. This may sound illogical but I am bold to say it is veritable. The fact about a situation is different from the truth. In this situation, the fact is the Israelites are in Marah where the water had all along been bitter even before they got there. People who are nomads in the wilderness would have had this knowledge before the children of Israel crossed over the Red Sea. This is a fact! This cannot be disputed by anyone. It is a fact.

However, the Truth came into the scene and caused a change to be permanently recorded in history till today. I am sure the people left a permanent, memorable and indelible footprint in Marah. That which had been known as a fact was indeed changed before their own very eyes. This is Truth in action. What an awesome Almighty God we serve. This is marvellous. The medical fact today says one thing but when the Truth comes into the situation He reverses it and medical specialists are bewildered. The Truth, Himself, is God of all flesh!

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

You are blessed and a blessing to this generation.

May you be found faithful, fruitful, fulfilling God's purpose for your life and ultimately finishing gloriously in Jesus' name. Amen.

In case you are visiting Singapore, then make it a date to worship God with us in Cornerstone Community Church where my Senior Pastor, Pastor Yang Tuck Yoong, lovable, admirable and amiable, will be glad to welcome you. Love of God radiates in Cornerstone, Singapore! Come with us join us:

"Come with us, and we will do you good, for the Lord has promised good concerning Israel." (Numbers 10:29)

Pastor John Ekundayo,
Cornerstone Community Church,
Singapore SE Asia.