Arrival at Marah: “Don’t Get Bitter, Get Better!”

As the sun began to rise, Moses set out, weaving through the many tents, and calling out to the Israelites. As he walked through the camps, he repeated the following phrase:

"Rise and Shine, Israel! Children of Yahweh! Pack up your belongings, and get ready to move! Our Lord God calls us to continue on, to the Promised Land! We leave in One Hour!"

Moses led Israel; setting out from the edge of the Red Sea, they traveled bravely into the Desert of Shur.

The Desert of Shur was a notoriously dangerous and barren desert, but a route that Yahweh deemed necessary for the Israelites, else they face war and persecution, and change their hearts.

They traveled for three days in the desert, and they couldn't find any water. By the third day, the Israelites began to panic, as they had almost completely run out of food and water.

They once again began to doubt Moses and Yahweh, grumbling against their leaders. "You brought us from the safety and stability of Egypt, just to die of thirst in the Desert! We would have rather lived as slaves than died in such a horrible way!"

So, Moses once again reached out to Yahweh; seeking Him in prayer and isolation, and telling Him of the complaints of Israel.

He heard their complaints, and answered their prayers, as on the next day, they came across a beautiful oasis which offered springs, pools, and palms. The Israelites rejoiced, no longer would they starve or die of thirst! They ran to the edges of the waters and began to drink…

However, the pools and springs were bitter, and unclean. Therefore, the Oasis was named "Marah," by the Israelites, which means "Bitter." The Israelites then began their grumbling against their leaders…

Regardless of how their Lord God had just parted the Red Sea for them, they doubted Him. Despite His guidance, His miracles, and His powers, they denied the Glory of Yahweh.

After all, if he couldn't even find them clean drinking water, and he brought them to the Desert to die, what kind of God is He? At least in Egypt they had homes, food, and water.

Moses, in his dramatic and frustrated fashion, cried out to Lord Yahweh,

"We have sought drinkable water for three days, just to come to an oasis with bitter waters. The Israelites are complaining again, surely if you don't help us, they will flay me alive! What shall I do, Lord?"

Just then, a bolt of bright purple lightning struck from the clear blue sky, and splintered a nearby Acacia Tree; almost entirely obliterating it.

Landing on the ground, near the feet of Moses, was a single scorched piece of wood, about 2 feet in length. As it gently smoked, the Israelites were taken aback, humbled, and thoroughly terrified.

They realized they may have angered their God, and they fell to their knees in prayer. In response to this, Yahweh's voice boomed out to them from the very sky above.

"If you carefully listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and you do what is right in His eyes and give heed to His commands and you keep all of His rules; then I will not bring about on you, any of the diseases that I brought about on Egypt.

I am Yahweh, your healer, Your Lord, Your God. The water will be purified, when your leader Moses throws the splintered wood into it. And no longer will you complain, for I have shown you, I am here. I am ALWAYS here."

Moses slowly stood up from his bowed position, as the thundering voice of Yahweh faded from around them. In silence, he made his way over to the burnt piece of wood, picking it up, and inspecting it...

"The Lord God Yahweh has spoken, and we are to listen. Come, Israel, and slake your thirst. No more shall you doubt the power of our God." He finished his statement, as he threw the wood into the water, and it sank to the bottom.

The Israelites cheerfully stood, going to the edge of the waters, and drinking deeply from them. Tasting the cool, crisp, and now pure waters, their hearts were full; and they once again settled into camp, to rest and recuperate.

Once more, a small crowd gathered around Moses and Ezrae, the children finding their places among their parents, settling in so they could be told the rest of the Legend of the Genesis Plates.

Ezrae chuckled and settled into his spot, between the waters of Marah, and the campfire he was going to speak at. He picked up his staff and lazily reached over, tapping the edge of the water with it.

In response, when he began telling his tale, small figurines of water began dancing around; acting it out for him. The Israelites all watched his magic work with wide and curious eyes. Ezrae was amazing, and they relaxed together, in order to hear his story.