The waters of Marah

The Waters of Marah

(Overcoming bitterness)

“When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter, therefore it was named Marah.

So the people grumbled at Moses, saying “What shall we drink?”

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 to them a statute and a regulation, and there he tested them.” Exodus 15:23-25

After the children of Israel left the Red Sea they came into the wilderness of Shur. They found no water after a three days journey. Then they came to Marah. There was water but it was to bitter to drink. In the Hebrew text the word marah means bitter. In our own spiritual journey we have a general idea where we are going and what we are looking for. A land flowing with milk and honey. But the road getting there sometimes is not what we expect. Its like we’re standing at point A and we are heading for point D, but we aren’t ready for B and C.

Look at the life of Joseph. At the young age he could see he was destined for great things. God had shown him in visions and dreams that he was destined for greatness. What God didn’t show him was the road that would take him there. He went from being the favorite of his fathers sons, to being sold by his brothers, his own family, to be a slave in Egypt. And if that wasn’t bad enough, to being a prisoner in pharaoh’s dungeon. Only to finally be exalted to second in the kingdom.

As you look at where you are now and where and where you are going, your plan for your life does not include a lot of the pain and suffering you will encounter. Job said “Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.” Job 5:7.

Hoe would you deal with bitter waters when they come uninvited to your life, your home, and your marriage? The church is filled with people overcome with bitterness. They have allowed themselves to become angry and bitter because of circumstances and events that have happened in their lives. Events that you didn’t ask for, circumstances you didn”t ever expect to find yourself in. When bitterness takes root it can become a satanic stronghold in your life. Many people are bitter who would never admit to being bitter. You can be trapped in this without recognizing it. Jesus told his disciples at one point “you do not know what spirit you are of” Luke 9:55. I’ve seen Christians overcome with anger without ever being able to pinpoint the source of that anger. When you become bitter because of the actions of others, any true spiritual growth will cease until it is exposed and dealt with. One person said bitterness must be pulled up by its roots.

The bible says “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, land stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” 1 Sam. 15:23. The word rebellion there listed there is the Hebrew word Meriy, which means bitterness. The root word for meriy is marah. Witchcraft or divination should not be looked at as some old crazy woman conjuring up potions or casting spells, but rather as manipulation apart from the Holy Spirit. Many people caught up in meriy end up angry and bitter and constantly functioning outside of the Holy Spirit.

Wives caught up in meriy, subtly act out their anger toward their mate. They manipulate and vie for power without even realizing what they are doing. Bitterness clouds judgment and destroys any clarity in visions and discernment. The book of Hebrews gives us clear warning “Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord; Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Heb. 12:14,15.

The Lord Showed Him a Tree

When my wife and I lost our son in a car accident in 2005, we found ourselves in a place we never thought we would be in. I remember telling my wife not to allow herself to become bitter with the woman who had caused the accident. This became a hard test for us. So we prayed specifically for this woman and we prayed against all bitterness. This wasn’t easy. But creeping in unawares I developed resentment toward God. Ultimately I held Him responsible. Finally in one of my shorter moments I said to the Lord “yea well, you don’t know what it’s LIKE!” I stopped dead in my complaint and realized how stupid that sounds. If anybody knew He did. If anybody could relate, He could. He knew exactly what it felt like and He showed me a tree. The spiritual metaphor we are supposed to see at Marah is the cross. It is the ultimate canceling of all crimes. It is the ultimate sacrifice that can be made. Col. 1:20. God gave His Son! And we did unto Him as we would. Mocking and shame He bore for us “and the Lord has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.” Isa 53:6

“For we do not have a high priest who can not sympathize with our weakness, but who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15. if anybody knows He knows. The power of the cross is amazing. Allow the Holy Spirit to begin to reveal its power to you. If you have drank bitter waters He will show you a tree.