Exodus 15.
STANDING on the further shore of the narrow Red Sea, the children of Israel were led by Moses in a song of praise to God. Under the waves was the path they had followed from shore to shore; their enemies, the Egyptians—the wicked Pharaoh who had proudly said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go”—with his soldiers, chariots, horses, swords and spears, were under the water—
On the opposite side was the land of Egypt, with its memories of brick making without straw, and of the cruel taskmasters. Then, too, there lay all the dead first-born ones from every family that had not the lamb’s blood on their doorposts.
These redeemed ones were now free, no more to feel the lash of their old master’s whip; no more to work hard from early morning till dark without pay. God had saved them from the Egyptians, and though they had a desert to cross, they sang joyfully, because He who had brought them out of Egypt, had promised to bring them into a good land which they should have for their own, the land of Canaan. Miriam, and all the other women, sang and danced for joy, praising God for His goodness to them.
And so they started on their long tramp. Three days passed, and they saw no sign of water; at last they came to a spring or pool, but the water was so bitter that they could not drink it. Grumbling, they talked against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” How quick they were to forget God who had just delivered them from Pharaoh and his army, and opened a way for them across the sea! Just a little trouble, and the people started complaining. They should have begun praying instead of grumbling, should they not?
Moses asked God to help them, and, as always, He answered believing prayer. He showed Moses a tree which he threw into the bitter water, and it was then good to drink.
This living tree put into the bitter water of death must be a type of the Lord Jesus dying for the sins of His people. His death has made everything different for those who love Him, and think of Him. They have troubles, yes, but the troubles don’t hurt as much as if they didn’t know God, and He doesn’t let the troubles last very long.
Here, you see, in the last verse, the people of Israel came to Elim, where they found no less than twelve wells of water, and seventy palm trees, and there they seem to have stayed for some time.
ML 02/05/1922