Exodus 13-15

Day 34

Exodus 13-15

Exodus 15:22-25

²² Moses led the Israelites away from the Red Sea into the Desert of Shur. They traveled for three days in the desert but found no water.²³ Then they came to Marah, where there was water, but they could not drink it because it was too bitter. That is why the place was named Marah.

Whenever one finds oneself inclined to bitterness, it is a sign of emotional failure.
-Bertrand Russell

Why do we get bitter? What causes bitterness?

Jealousy causes bitterness…

*She can have children, but I cannot… (Example: Rachel and Leah)

Suffering causes bitterness…

*The Israelites suffered harshly under the rule of Pharaoh and the Egyptians and after Moses led them out of slavery on several occasions they wished they were slaves again…

Pride causes bitterness…  

*Pharisees and the Sadducees let their knowledge of God surpass their obedience to God…  If this is you – you probably rejoice when something negative happens to other leaders in different ministries because you are jealous of their ministry…  Dude you should celebrate – you’re on the same team!  Don’t hate – celebrate!

Greed causes bitterness…

*Acts 8:20-23 and Judas complained about the perfume poured over Jesus feet was worth a year’s salary…  He really was more interested in money than people.  If this is you, you’re on very dangerous ground.  People are the only eternal things on this Earth!!!  Look what happened to Judas…

Jesus is the answer to bitterness…  Give your bitterness to Him.  You can entrust Him with it!  He won’t always make it better, but He will never leave you bitter!  Look what HE did for the Israelites in verse 24-25!

. ²⁴ The people grumbled to Moses and asked, "What will we drink?" ²⁵ So Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When Moses threw the tree into the water, the water became good to drink.