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[19] When Pharaoh's horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. [20] Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron's sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. [21] Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea." [22] Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. [23] When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) [24] So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?" [25] Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the LORD issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. [26] He said, "If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you." [27] Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Most of us who have had some faith-confirming or faith-strengthening encounter with God have said words like the title of today's note. Like the Israelites in today's passage, the difficulties we've later faced have caused us to lose the faith and trust we thought was impossible to lose, and doubt the God we thought we'd never doubt again. Can you recall such a situation, either for yourself or someone you know?
Are there mitigating circumstances for the Israelites? Well, it's been a long walk. Most scholars would estimate that Marah (23) is about 100 miles from where they think the miraculous sea-crossing took place. That's a long way to go in three days, so they're obviously tired, hungry and thirsty.
But despite that understanding, I still find myself self-righteously condemning them! Words like "How could they?" bubble into my consciousness. Thankfully, God isn't like me. God's response is to show Moses what to do to solve the problem (25), and then to promise more care and attention to his people (26). I don't think I would be as generous or patient!
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