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Bitter Water Face
In the Word
When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. … And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet (Exodus 15:23, 25).
Of the Word
Taking a drink of water that ends up not having the taste we expected may cause us to make a bitter face. The Israelites probably had that same bitter water face when they drank from the water in Marah.
The water was not like the water they were used to in Egypt, and the Israelites quickly began to complain. The Lord answered their cries for help. He showed Moses a log and instructed him to throw it into the water, making it sweet and good to drink.
The tree Moses used represented life, showing the Israelites they would not die of thirst. Another tree represents life, too: the tree of the cross of Calvary. Through Jesus’ death on that tree and through His resurrection three days later, we have the promise of eternal life. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (1 Peter 2:24a).
Walking with my Lord
Jesus, You are the Tree of Life through whom I receive eternal life. When my life seems bitter, remind me of the sweetness of the Gospel. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Water of Life. Michael Heckmann, author. 13/28 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
