22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red e Sea , and they went out into the wilderness of Shur ; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water . 23 When they came to Marah , they could not drink the waters of Marah , for they were bitter ; therefore e it was named e Marah . 24 So the people grumbled at Moses , saying , "What shall we drink ?" 25 Then he cried out to the Lord , and the Lord showed him a tree ; and he threw it into the waters , and the waters became sweet . There He made for them a statute and regulation , and there He tested them. 26 And He said , " If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God , and do what is right in His sight , and give ear to His commandments , and keep all His statutes , I will put none e of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians ; for I, the Lord , am your healer ." 27 Then they came to Elim where there were twelve e springs of water and seventy date palms , and they camped there beside the waters .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 15:22-27
Commentary on Exodus 15:22-27
(Read Exodus 15:22-27)
In the wilderness of Shur the Israelites had no water. At Marah they had water, but it was bitter; so that they could not drink it. God can make bitter to us that from which we promise ourselves most, and often does so in the wilderness of this world, that our wants, and disappointments in the creature, may drive us to the Creator, in whose favour alone true comfort is to be had. In this distress the people fretted, and quarrelled with Moses. Hypocrites may show high affections, and appear earnest in religious exercises, but in the time of temptation they fall away. Even true believers, in seasons of sharp trial, will be tempted to fret, distrust, and murmur. But in every trial we should cast our care upon the Lord, and pour out our hearts before him. We shall then find that a submissive will, a peaceful conscience, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost, will render the bitterest trial tolerable, yea, pleasant. Moses did what the people had neglected to do; he cried unto the Lord. And God provided graciously for them. He directed Moses to a tree which he cast into the waters, when, at once, they were made sweet. Some make this tree typical of the cross of Christ, which sweetens the bitter waters of affliction to all the faithful, and enables them to rejoice in tribulation. But a rebellious Israelite shall fare no better than a rebellious Egyptian. The threatening is implied only, the promise is expressed. God is the great Physician. If we are kept well, it is he that keeps us; if we are made well, it is he that recovers us. He is our life and the length of our days. Let us not forget that we are kept from destruction, and delivered from our enemies, to be the Lord's servants. At Elim they had good water, and enough of it. Though God may, for a time, order his people to encamp by the bitter waters of Marah, that shall not always be their lot. Let us not faint at tribulations.