(Exodus 15: 22- 26 NIV) 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.
Jehova Rapha is next in this study. God spoke this name to me as I was driving one day last week. As I began to study, He told me to pay attention to the text. The children of Israel were now out of bondage, yet they came across a place were provisions were not not there, or so they thought and they began to murmur and complain. It is amazing to me how many times, God is faithful to His Word yet we still murmur about what we don't have. Here the children had cried out for years to be free from bondage. God frees them. Then they come across a trial and begin to complain. How many times have we done this as its not limited to the children of Israel. I love the scriptures because if we are really open to it, then we will see ourselves. We will see how God takes care of us, time and time again, only for us to say that it isn't enough. It wasn't enough to be free. So, I complained and wanted more.
Just now, God told me to keep looking. The Word says that God put them to the test in verse 25. What was the test - “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.” We keep wondering why the plagues are hitting the earth. Why things are the way that they are. It is already written in Revelations. God told us that it would come. This isn't new to Him. But, are we paying attention to his commands and keeping his decrees? Are we seeing that even in the midst of all that is happening in the world, God is able and can set a healing in the midst of all of it? Do we truly know that He can and will heal the land at an appointed time: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV). If we truly sit and pay attention, we will hear from the heavens and get direction as to the questions in our souls.
I'm amazed still at the scripture. I've always heard Jehovah Rapha in the sense of God healing a body. But reading the text, I understand that God cured undrinkable water and made it drinkable. He cured water and then told them that He wouldn't bring disease on them like He had done to the Egyptians if they followed His words. He gave provision, cured the water, and issued a decree all at one time. Can I suggest that if we listen, follow, and belief God can heal anything according to His will? Now, before some of you go off on me, I said according to His Will. If His will is that it's time for someone to cross over into the everlasting, then that's His Will.
Did you notice what God did Next? He took them to a place of provision where there was enough water to drink. Listen, God's Word comes with provision. My understanding is to be the sheep and follow the shepherd trusting that He knows the plan and best avenue for me at all times. .
Has God put you to the test recently? I feel as though I am being tested all the time. I pray that I'm doing what God says even when it doesn't make sense.
Be A Blessing and Not Just Blessed
- Nakya