[21] And Miriam answered
them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse
and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. [22]
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.
And Miriam answered them - The men: They sung by turns,
or in parts.
[23] And when they came to Marah,
they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore
the name of it was called Marah. [24]
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
The name of it was called Marah - That is, Bitterness.
[25] And he cried unto the LORD;
and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters,
the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance,
and there he proved them, [26] And
said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God,
and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his
commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases
upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that
healeth thee. [27] And they came to
Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees:
and they encamped there by the waters.
And he cried unto the Lord - It is the greatest relief
of the cares of magistrates and ministers, when those under their charge
make them uneasy, that they may have recourse to God by prayer; he is the
guide of the church's guides, and to the chief shepherd, the under shepherds
must on all occasions apply themselves: And the Lord directed Moses to
a tree, which he cast into the waters, and they were made sweet - Some
think this wood had a peculiar virtue in it for this purpose, because it
is said, God shewed him the tree. God is to be acknowledged, not only in
the creating things useful for man, but in discovering their usefulness.
But perhaps this was only a sign, and not a means of the cure, no more
than the brazen serpent. There he made a statute and an ordinance, and
there he proved them - That is, there he put them upon trial, admitted
them as probationers for his favour. In short he tells them, 15:26, what
he expected from them, and that was, in one word,obedience. They must diligently
hearken to his voice, and give ear to his commandments, and must take care,
in every thing, to do that which was right in God's sight, and to keep
all his statutes. Then I will put none of these diseases upon thee - That
is, I will not bring upon thee any of the plagues of Egypt. This intimates,
that if they were disobedient, the plagues which they had seen inflicted
on their enemies should be brought on them. But if thou wilt be obedient,
thou shalt be safe, the threatening is implied, but the promise is expressed,
I am the Lord that healeth thee - And will take care of thee wherever thou
goest.
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