2. DISCIPLINED BY TESTING TO BECOME A BLESSING (Exodus 15:19 -18:27)

Israel's triumph is followed by testing: God redeems His people and blesses them that they may be led on and disciplined to become a blessing to others. (Exodus 15:18-21 ).

2.1. "AND FOUND NO WATER" (Exodus 15:18 - 22)

The first three days journey in the wilderness of Shur, which refers to the entire desert region between Egypt and Palestine, were without water.

Psalm 107:5 "Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them."

This was their first lesson in trusting God. The Lord loved them and brought them into the desert to have them alone with Himself, to lead them about and instruct them in many things. (Deuteronomy 32:10 ). There was no hope in the wilderness - their hope and their trust had to be in God. So the child of God soon learns there is nothing in the world to quench spiritual thirst, nor to nourish their spiritual life. (John 4:14 ).

2.2. "THEY CAME TO MARAH" (Exodus 15:23 - 26)

Three days of thirsty travel, only to come to undrinkable water! Here at Marah, which means bitter, we have a clear picture of the disappointments of the world. Let us not be afraid to proclaim we find the waters of the world bitter, and false in its claims. Even believers can experience bitter let-downs from the worldly and carnal (2 Timothy 4:10 ).

This test found the people murmuring (Exodus 15:24 ), and directed it against Moses, the leader God had given them. They should have been looking with their leader, trustingly to God for the answer. Moses did the right thing, faced with disappointment, difficulty and distress (Exodus 15:25 ) "He cried to the Lord." We need to learn to cast our burdens and disappointments upon the Lord,

Psalm 55:22 "He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." (Margin reads, "shaken").

The result of Moses looking to the Lord was revelation. The Lord showed him a tree. (Exodus 15:25 ). The tree is a picture of the cross of Jesus (1 Peter 2:24 ). Moses acted, and cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet (Exodus 15:25 ). By bringing Christ Jesus into our trials, our disappointments that would be bitter, become sweet. Like the tree that made Marah sweet, He is near at hand.

Hebrews 13:5, 6 "Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have, for He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?'"

The Lord then tested their commitment to Him by insisting that they listen to His voice and obey Him, then they would not suffer the diseases He sent on the Egyptians. "For I am the Lord who heals you." (Exodus 15:26 ). Walking in His word, hearing and obeying His voice, results in living in divine health (Exodus 15:25, 26 ).

2.3. "THEN THEY CAME TO ELIM" (Exodus 15:27)

Arrival at Elim meant for Israel a time of respite and refreshment in the midst of testing, and the people drank from the twelve springs, and had rest under the seventy palms. Twelve springs - one for each tribe speaks of the supply for all the people. The palms spoke to them of the sheltering presence of God. Thereafter in the land, palm trees would be connected with the feast of tabernacles (Leviticus 23:40 ). The wells or springs point to the teaching of Jesus in John 7:38, 39, instructing believers how to receive a mighty baptism and fullness of the Holy Spirit.

John 7:38,39 "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

Note:

First: the flowing rivers experience of the Holy Spirit is subsequent to conversion, whom those believing in Him would receive (John 7:39 ). Examples: Apostles (Acts 2:4 ). Ephesians (Acts 19:6 ). Apollos (Acts 18:24-25 ).

Second: How the initial experience of flowing rivers of the Holy Spirit is received (John 7:37-39 ). There must be thirsting - there must be a personal coming to Jesus the Baptiser - there must be drinking of the Spirit - there must be co-operative believing (cf Acts 2:4 "they began to speak..." Also Acts 19:6 "they spoke...).

Third: The outflowing rivers of the Holy Spirit included manifestations of the supernatural gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1, 8-10 ). Just as twelve wells were for all the tribes of Israel, so the gifts of the Spirit are for all the Lord's people.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Have you found, like Israel, that triumph can be followed by testing?
   • Do you see a parallel experience with people who sang over victory at the Red Sea and were found murmuring at Marah?
   • Should you ever be surprised that the worldly refreshment is disappointing?
   • What revelation did Moses receive?
   • Do you bring the sacrificial love of Jesus into your experiences, changing them from bitter to sweet?

2. What is expected of you in acceptance of the declaration "For I am the LORD who heals you"?(Exodus 15:26 ).
   • Are you experiencing the Lord as the Lord who heals you?
   • As this promise is related to the healing of the waters of Marah, what place has the cross in your healing?

3. Do you have "Elim" times of refreshing from the Lord?
   • Would twelve tribes coming to twelve wells of water suggests to you that the Lord supplies satisfaction for all His people?
   • May it also speak to you of Holy Spirit fullness and that Jesus invites you to drink (John 7:38-39; Ephesians 5:18 ), and be being filled with the Spirit?