"Bobby Helton" heltonbobby@yahoo.com heltonbobby
The Sweet Tree (Exod. 15.23-27)
The Scriptures mention various species of trees. There was Deborah's
oak (Gen. 35:8), the palm tree of Deborah (Judg. 4:5), and many
others. Heathen nations worshipped trees and during times of idolatry
the children of Israel also placed idols in selected groves.
Absalom, whose long hair held him in the branches of a tree until
Joab's servants slew him(2 Sam. 18:15).
When God planted the first garden He included special trees, which
were known as the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of
Good and Evil (Gen. 2:9).
John, describing the wonders of the New Jerusalem, spoke of the
tree which produced twelve kinds of fruit and yielded a harvest
every month (see Rev. 22:2). Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree
to see Jesus (see Luke 19:4). Elijah, who fled from Jezebel, sat
down under a juniper tree (see I Kings 19:4). The Lord, who cursed
the fruitless fig tree (see Matt. 21:19), was Himself nailed to
a tree (see Acts 5:30). The Jewish people were forbidden to destroy
the fruit trees of their enemies (see Deut. 20:19), but perhaps
the most amazing tree mentioned in the Bible was the unnamed species
that helped Israel to survive during the journey from Egypt to
Canaan.
A tree in the garden had to do with our sin
A tree on Golgotha had to do with our salvation.
In John one Jesus saved a man under a tree
In Luke 19 He saved a man up a tree
In Luke 23 He saved a man on a tree
1=A Crushing Problem ... "They found no water"
"So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea,.., and they went
three days in the wilderness, and found no water" (Exod.
15:22). The immense multitude had safely crossed the Red Sea,
and was proceeding on the journey to the Promised Land. They had
traveled for three days through the scorching heat of the desert
and failed to find water. Probably the people brought supplies
from Egypt, but the swiftly diminishing contents of the water
skins were causing anxiety; the plight of the thirsty cattle was
critical. This was a frightening change from the fertile lands
of Egypt. Perhaps many cattle had already died and the future
was ominous.
Then suddenly a cry of relief echoed through the camp; the advance
guides could see water on the horizon. But "when they came
to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they
were bitter....
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink"
(Exod. 15:23-24). It has been estimated that the number of travelers
exceeded two million, and to supply refreshment at short notice
for such a large multitude necessitated a miracle.
God, who knew every inch of the inhospitable terrain, could have
led them in another direction that might, or might not, have taken
them toward more favorable circumstances. Deserts and wildernesses
have oases, but they are few and far between. It must be remembered
that God did not send His people to Marah - He led them! Sometimes
the most valuable lessons are learned amid adverse conditions.
If the children of Israel had bypassed Marah, they would have
missed one of the greatest experiences in their history.
2=A Childlike Prayer... "And he cried unto the LORD"
Moses was a patient and tolerant leader. Men of lesser stature
would have been annoyed with the ungrateful people. As they had
done, and would continue to do throughout their long march, they
blamed their leader for everything unpleasant. Endued by divine
power and encouraged by the promises of God, the patriarch had
successfully confronted Pharaoh and confounded the pagan magicians.
Yet here in the wilderness his difficulties appeared to be
insurmountable. There was nothing he could do except pray. Blessed
is the man who prefers praying to pouting! The leader could have
resented the accusations and kindled a fire of dissension among
his followers. An angry countenance could have stirred emotions
to
fever pitch, and a lashing tongue would have produced serious
reprisals. When Moses prayed the Lord responded immediately. He
showed him a tree, and provided mankind with a glimpse of the
cross.
3=A Clear Perception ... "The LORD shewed him a tree"
There is reason to believe the tree had been there all the time.
It did not appear overnight as did Jonah's gourd (see Jonah 4:6-7).
Probably it was not tall and stately as a redwood tree, nor huge
and strong like an oak. It could have been unattractive. It must
not have been very big Moses put it in the water by Himself. The
Bible does not say Moses cut the tree, could it have been already
lying on the ground. Could the sand have blown over it. There
was nothing magical about its formation and appearance, but it
was the tree of God's choosing Alone, it could not have performed
any miracle, and Moses knew this to be a fact. We are chosen of
God for our ministries. There is nothing magical about any man;
God just chose to use us.
Similarly, there was nothing magical about the cross of Calvary.
The startling but glorious fact about Calvary's cross was not
the kind of tree used for the crucifixion, but the miracle that
God performed, by, on, and through it. The law taught that cursed
were they who were hanged on a tree (see Deut. 21:23). It was
the purpose of the Almighty that His beloved Son would be made
a curse for us and carry our sins to the cross. This is an entrancing
truth, but its reality depends upon the grace of God, which reveals
it. "God shewed him a tree." Paul wrote, It pleased
God . . . to reveal his Son in me" (Gal. 1:15-16). Blessed
is every soul who can say, "God showed me a tree!"
4=A Complete Participation... which when he had cast into the
waters,
The waters of Marah must have been much more than an oasis in
the wilderness. Since two million people and their animals were
to be refreshed, the source of supply was more like a lake. God
directed the attention of His servant toward the tree, which was
either growing close to the water or lying upon the ground. There
was no promise of any miracle. Moses saw the tree, but his faith
grasped the unuttered promises of the Lord.. The patriarch knew
divine guidance was behind the revelation, but without faith he
could have remained there until the people died. God's miracle
was performed only when Moses took the tree and applied it to
the place of need. Similarly, gazing at the cross of Christ never
saved anybody. The unrepentant thief saw the cross, but he never
gained admittance to God's kingdom.. Faith that believes the promises
of God changes the bitter experiences of life and produces the
living water of which Jesus spoke (see John
4:10).
5=A Colossal Provision ... "The waters were made sweet"
The extent of this miracle cannot be overestimated; it defies
natural explanation. Possibly the Marah area was filled with swamps
where water was extremely salty or filled with minerals.
The statement, "And there he proved them," sheds light
upon the purpose of Jehovah. The words were repeated in Exodus
16:4: ....that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my
law, God tested His people to ascertain what motivated their actions.
The Hebrews were being prepared for future trials; God was exercising
the muscles of their faith, and making future conquests possible.
Many attempts have been made to name trees that had the capability
of sweetening bitter water, but none of them can be found in the
Sinai Peninsula. If, formerly, they grew there, it would explain
why God had to indicate which tree Moses should use; the patriarch
was not a botanist. However, even the best of the explanations
cannot prove how
one tree could cleanse enough water to supply the need of a multitude.
It is easier to believe the Word of God than to accept the theories
of men.
6= The Continuing Pleasure... "And they came to Elim"
Elim means "a place of refreshment" (see Exod. 15:27).
After the oppressive heat and continued thirst in the wilderness,
the luxurious conditions were a foretaste of the Promised Land.
Traveling south, the tribes had journeyed approximately fifty
to sixty miles. They were completely dependent upon God and His
servant and had complained about every unpleasant circumstance.
Yet, just beyond the horizon, abundant help awaited them.
God had already planned the sojourn at Elim even when the tribes
were complaining at Marah. Some nights appear to be endless, suggesting
the dawn of a new day will never arrive. Blessed are the people
who see in the dark!
Unfortunately, Israel walked by sight and not by faith. The luscious
grapes of Eschol lay ahead, but the nation was looking back and
remembering the garlic of Egypt. They were foolish, and so are
we if we emulate their example.
Conclusion = What a joy to know the sweet tree of Calvary can
cure the bitterness in the soul of every one. I am glad God showed
me a tree.