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Exodus 15:22-27 – Praying through the Bible #29 – A Prayer of Bitterness
When is a legitimate complaint wrong? That question will be experienced time and again by Israel in the wilderness. Looking inwardly, what did we do that last time someone complained to us? I’ve learned the uncomfortable lesson that a complaint to me about anything is often a complaint about me.
After crossing through the Red Sea on dry land, the Israelites can’t find water (Ex 15.22). First too much, and now not enough! Satan uses both circumstances. Finally finding water after three days, it is bitter (Ex 15.23). Probably, it matches their attitude (Ex 15.24). Much of life becomes what it is by our attitude. Israel complains to Moses, but we don’t see them praying to God. Moses prays (Ex 15.24-25). Rather easily, and immediately, God takes care of the problem by having a tree thrown into the water curing the water (Ex 15.25). God can turn that which is bitter into something sweet – even if the method does not make sense according to human wisdom. After the 10 plagues, and parting of the Red Sea, shouldn’t God’s people (including me) expect the unexpected? I can’t positively say this tree foreshadows the cross , but Peter Leithart shares some spiritual thoughts about trees in “Christ and Him Crucified:”
“Adam fell at a tree, and by a tree he was saved. At a tree Eve was seduced, and through a tree the bride was restored to her husband. At a tree, Satan defeated Adam; on a tree Jesus destroyed the works of the devil. At a tree man died, but by Jesus’ death we live. At a tree God cursed, and through a tree that curse gave way to blessing. God exiled Adam from the tree of life; on a tree the Last Adam endured exile so that we might inherit the earth.” (www.firstthings.com)
While not mentioning the tree of Marah, trees play a prominent role in the Bible. In the HCSB, the translators often use the literal word “tree” instead of “cross” (1 Pt 2.24).
Exodus 15.25 says God “tested them there.” The next time life isn’t exactly what we envision, before we complain, ask – “Could God be testing us?” The scene ends with blessings – 12 springs of water and 70 date palms (Ex 15.27). That’s one spring for each tribe, and one tree for each person that originally entered Egypt (Gen 46.27). Continually, God reminds us of His loving-kindness. Sadly, sometimes we can’t see or hear over the complaints of our own open mouths. Instead of complaining to people, maybe we should be praying to God. Maybe we are really complaining about God.
Prayer Challenge: Turn our (today’s) complaints into prayers, realizing the reality that complaining can be a sign of distrust, and a displacement of faith from God to another.
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