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I. A GRIEVOUS NEED. Do we not see in mankind a weary marching host of pilgrims, looking eagerly for the next well, and hoping there to find satisfaction? It is trite but true of the greater part of them, "Man never is; but always to be blest." There are deep yearnings after unattained good; a burning desire for rest. Moreover, even to them who have found "the living waters" there may be many a weary march.

II. A SORE DISAPPOINTMENT. Intense as are human desires for final good, they are doomed, so long as fixed upon created objects, to perpetual and agonizing disappointment. The apples that seemed ripe for the gathering and fit for "baskets of silver" are found to contain only rottenness and dust. It is wisely ordered that no creature should give satisfaction to the heart. Even those who have chosen "the Lord" as their "portion" need to be perpetually quickened, lest they should cleave to the dust.

III. A REBELLIOUS AND UNREASONABLE treatment of afflictions. "The people murmured against Moses." So men complain still. They "charge God foolishly"; and governmental measures, blights, panics, failure of success, etc., are suffered to engender their thoughts and hard speeches.

IV. THE TRUE AND SURE REFUGE IN TIME OF AFFLICTION. There is no might of influence like that which is wielded by those who are "hid in the pavilion" of "the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords."

V. THE DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY. When men are "willing" to see what God shows, how quickly is the bitterness of life changed into "peace and joy through believing " "Looking away unto Jesus," they hear Him saying, "I am the Lord that healeth thee!" The mystic tree is "set forth" before the eye of faith, and its goodly boughs bend to the touch even of the chief of sinners.

VI. Another and most significant passage occurs in connection with Israel's sojourn by the bitter well, and which shows THE CONTINUAL OBLIGATION OF DIVINE ORDINANCES EVEN IN GREAT EXIGENCIES. "There He made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He proved them." They were now tested as to their disposition to obey alike the stated and occasional commandments of God; and it is possible that some further instructions were conveyed on Divine authority. But "the statute and ordinance " plainly refer to the "solemn assembly" which was now to be observed.

VII. Once again, we learn beside the waters of Marah the COMPENSATORY LAW OF DIVINE PROCEEDINGS. We are "pilgrims as all our fathers were," and often reach a bitter well in our march through the wilderness; but beside each there is a tree whose virtue makes the nauseous waters sweeter than all the streams of Goshen.

(J. D. Brocklehurst, D. D.)

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KJV: So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

WEB: Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.