Bitter Waters

“The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of

Sin, traveling from place to place as the L ord commanded. They

camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to

drink” (Exod. 17:1, NIV).

Perhaps we might not get from God everything we want, but couldn’t

we expect to get all that we need? Not what we think we need but what

we truly need?

There was one thing the Israelites certainly needed, and that was

water. Just after God in the cloud led the Israelites through the Red

Sea, they followed Him through the hot, waterless desert for three

days. Particularly in the desert, where finding water is so critical, their

desperation is understandable. When would they get the water they

needed?

So, where does God lead them? The pillar goes to Marah, where, at

last, there is water. They must have been excited. But when they tasted

the water, they immediately spat it out because it was bitter. “So the

people grumbled against Moses, saying, ‘What are we to drink?’ ”

(Exod. 15:24, NIV).

Then, a few days later, God does it again. This time, however, the

pillar actually stops where there is no water at all (Exod. 17:1).

Read Exodus 15:22–27 and Exodus 17:1–7. What did God reveal to

Israel about Himself at Marah and at Rephidim? What lessons

should they have learned?

In Rephidim, what question did the children of Israel ask? Exod.

17:7. Have you ever asked the same question? If so, why? How

did you feel, and what lessons did you learn after you had it

answered? How many times do we need to get it answered before

we stop asking it altogether?