LESSONS LEARNED AT LIFE'S BITTER POOLS Exodus 15:22-27

Intro: Very often learning lessons is a bitter experience. You can tell a child repeatedly that fire, the stove, etc is hot, but they never really get it until they have been burned. When this happens, they can relate to what hot means. It is a lesson they will never forget as long as they live.

Israel is fresh from a great spiritual victory. They have been delivered from slavery, they have been given a new life and they have witnessed God destroying their enemies in the depths of the Red Sea. They are faced with a trial. After 3 days with no water, they come to a place called Marah.

I. THEY LEARNED SOME LESSONS ABOUT LIFE

A.     Life Is A Mixture: vs 22-23, 27 - (Israel had just experienced the blessing, but they must face the bitter as well. Then, as son as this bitter time was past, they enjoyed a time of blessing,)

·         God's Word teaches that, life’s a mixture of good & bad

Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.  Job 5:7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

B.     Life Has A Master - (When Israel arrived at Marah, they seemed to forget all the wonderful things God had done for them. They forgot about the plagues, their deliverance, the miracle at the Red Sea. They forgot that God is Master of life. Both of the good times and the bad.)

C.     Life Has A Ministry - (God used these times, to minister to the Israelites. What they learned about God in these times of life, shaped their perception of who God was and what He could do for them.) God is simply trying to make us more like Him –

Eph. 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

II. THEY LEARNED SOME LESSONS ABOUT THEMSELVES(This bitter time revealed certain characteristics about the Israelites that they probably would rather have not known.)

A. They Were Living For Self - (They were only concerned with their bodily satisfaction. Instead of being caught up in His wonder, glory and worship, they were totally consumed with their personal needs!) He wants us to live for Him! When we do, He has promised to take care of life's trials - Matt. 6:33!

B. They Were Walking By Sight - (Israel was guilty of looking for satisfaction in the world around them, instead of the God who bought them. Then, when their expectations failed them, they became disappointed with God.) We are to be a people of faith, Rom. 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. When we step outside of faith and walk by sight, we’ve left God and have entered sin-Rom.14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin..

D.     They Were Never Satisfied - (These people, just 3 days before, had seen the Lord destroy the greatest army in the world! They had seen God part a great sea and deliver them. Then they had seen Him take that same sea and use it to defeat their enemies. When these things happened, they opened their mouths and praised the Lord in song. Now they are standing by a pool of bitter water, complaining because the Lord didn't do it their way) Whatever we face, we are to praise His Name -(1 Thes. 5:18)

Job 1:21 “…The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

David - Psa. 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

III. THEY LEARNED SOME LESSONS ABOUT THE LORD

A. He Is Aware Of Our Needs - (God knew what they would face at Marah. He, Himself had planned their journey. He knew about their need before they did!)  Nothing in your life takes God by surprise! He is already in tomorrow and He knows what you will face when you get there, Matt. 6:32 “… For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.   

B. He Is Able To Meet Our Need - (Moses was commanded to cast a tree into the waters and, when he did, they were made sweet. When they arrived, He was ready. He manifested His power an they got what they needed from the Lord.)

C. He Has Already Provided For Our Need - (Years before Israel arrived at Marah, God caused a seed to germinate in the very place where they would need it. He looked ahead and prepared a way before a way was ever needed.)

Conc: At Marah, God revealed Himself to Israel as "Jehovah-Rapha", or "The Lord Your Healer." If Israel had never faced this bitter time, they would have never known this aspect of God's character. When we stand at the bitter waters in our lives, and we will, God help us to know that He is on His throne and that He is in control. God help us to look for His hand and His waiting provision. The key is learning to rest in His power and let Him have His way in your life!