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Bible story · Exodus 15:22–27
A Tree in Bitter Water
Read it yourself in the King James Bible: Exodus 15:22–27 ↗
“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.”
Exodus 15:25 (KJV)The Story
Just three days earlier, Israel had walked through the Red Sea on dry ground and sung a song of victory on the far shore. Now they were in the wilderness of Shur, and they hadn’t found any water.
For three days they walked through the desert. Then, finally, they saw water at a place called Marah. Thirsty people ran to drink, and spat it out. The water was bitter. That’s what Marah means: bitter.
The same people who had been singing were now complaining. “What shall we drink?” they asked Moses.
Moses didn’t argue with them. He cried out to the Lord. And God showed him a tree. When Moses threw it into the water, the water became sweet, and the people drank.
Then God made them a promise. If they would listen to Him and follow His ways, He would keep them, “for I am the LORD that healeth thee.”
And right after that, they came to a place called Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. They camped there by the water.
Reflection
Three days after a miracle, Israel hit bitter water. That’s how life often goes. The mountaintop is followed by a desert, and the thing you hoped would satisfy you turns out to be bitter.
More Bible stories from Exodus. More about: God’s Provision · Trusting God in Hard Times · Moses
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Day 5 of Book 2
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