When People Murmur Against God

Provision from God in the Wilderness
Exodus 15:22-27; Exodus 16:1-36
INTRODUCTION: God delivered Israel from Egypt. But now the real test came. Israel could no longer rely upon the wealth of Egypt. Would they be willing to trust in the Lord for their provision? Would they find Him sufficient or turn against Him?

I. THE WATERS OF MARAH (Exodus 15:22-27)
A. Journey into the Wilderness (Exodus 15:22)
1. Israel departed from the Red Sea.
a. The Red Sea crossing is a picture of salvation and the departure from the bondage of the world (Egypt). The land of promise to which Israel was journeying is a picture of the Spirit-filled life.
b. It was only after the exodus that Israel could enter the wilderness and learn to trust in the Lord for daily provision.
2. They went three days journey into the wilderness of Shur.
3. God’s purpose for Israel in the wilderness is found in Deuteronomy 8:2-5.
B. The First Trial (Exodus 15:22-24)
1. The water troubles (Exodus 15:22-23)
a. No water—“They went three days in the wilderness, and found no water” (Exodus 15:22).
b. Bitter water (Exodus 15:23)
1) When they found water, it was bitter and they would not drink it.
2) The location of the bitter water was named Marah.
3) The experience of the Israelites with the bitter water (Marah) is similar to the experience of Naomi when she lost her husband and sons and changed her name to Mara (Ruth 1:20).
4) Men must not allow roots of bitterness to spring up and defile them (Hebrews 12:15). Bitter people:
a) Misrepresent the situation
b) Exaggerate the difficulties
c) Downplay all of God’s previous blessings
d) Make much of God’s perceived present failure...