The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:27

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Elim.

"And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water," etc. (Exodus 15:27). Describe locality, and point out the great change from Marah, and the miserable preceding three days in the desert. And then note the following suggestions as to the pilgrim path of a human soul.

I. OUR PILGRIMAGE LIES THROUGH EVER-VARIED SCENERY. The changes here are so great that they cannot fail to suggest the corresponding truth, e.g; fear on the west of the Red Sea, deliverance, triumph, three days' march, disappointment and healing at Marah, Elim.

II. THE SCENERY WILL INCLUDE "ELIMS." In dark days we believe no bright will dawn, and vice versa]. So the sorrowful must be reminded of Elims to come. Many oases for Israel; so to-day even in Sahara. Our Elims.—

1. Lift the mind to their Giver.

2. Are earnests of the Better Land.

III. "ELIMS" ARE THE CREATIONS OF TRUTH. Imagine all the beauty of Elim, and ask, what made it? It was the water that made the Paradise. Now, note the place of water in the economy of nature; as a constituent of the human body, in vegetation; as the chief element in all food, medicine, drink; as the universal solvent and purifier; as an agent in all dyes, gorgeous and homely; as "the eye" in every landscape, etc. It is no wonder then that water in Scripture is so often the emblem of truth, for which the soul thirsts, which is given as "water of life" from the throne of God and the Lamb. Doctrine "distils as the dew." God "pours clean water upon us that we may be clean." Note the analogy between truth and water implied in Matthew 28:19.. And is it not new discovery of truth at crises in our lives, that make our "Elims"? Not at all anything external to the soul; but internal uncoverings of the goodness, grace and glory of our Heavenly Father, etc; etc. [Develop and illustrate.] Will it be considered fanciful to add, that:—

IV. OUR "ELIMS" HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL IMPRESS. "Twelve wells," as many as tribes of Israel. "Seventy palms," for the tent of each elder a palm. There is any way a speciality in our Father's mercies, which marks them as for us, and reveals to us his personal love.

V. THE "ELIMS" OF OUR PILGRIMAGE ARE NOT FAR FROM OUR "MARAHS." Only some eight or ten miles is that journey of Israel. Then:—

1. At Marah let us hope for Elim.

2. From Marah push on for Elim. Never good to lie down and nurse sorrows and disappointments. Push "forward" along the pilgrim path of duty.

3. Marah prepares for the delight of Elim.

VI. "ELIM" IS ONLY FOR ENCAMPMENT. "They encamped there by the waters;" did not dwell, or build a city there.

VII. THE CHANGING SCENERY LEADS TO CANAAN. All the succeeding transformations of life are intended to prepare for the heavenly stability and rest.—R.

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Exodus 15:22-27In the wilderness of Shur the Israelites had no water. At Marah they had water, but it was bitter; so that they could not drink it. God can make bitter to us that from which we promise ourselves most, and often does so…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Waters of Marah. (b. c. 1491.)THE WATERS OF MARAH. (B. C. 1491.) It should seem, it was with some difficulty that Moses prevailed with Israel to leave that triumphant shore on which they sang the foregoing song. They were so taken up with the sight,…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:22-27I will hear what God, the Lord, will say. There is no reason why a powerful sermon should not be preached from a seemingly strange text. All depends on how the text is treated. God himself is the greatest of all preache…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:22-27The want of water and the want of faith-Marah and Elim. It will be noticed at once how the interest of this passage is gathered round that great natural necessity, water. It is a necessity to man in so many ways. He nee…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:22-27Trial and Blessing. I. THE CLOUD AND SUNSHINE OF THE PILGRIM LIFE. The weariness of the wilderness journey, the disappointment of Marah, and the comforts of Elim, all lie along the appointed way. II. A HEAVY TRIAL BADLY…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:22-27EXPOSITION THE JOURNEY FROM THE RED SEA TO ELIM. After a stay, which cannot be exactly measured, but which was probably one of some days, near the point of the Eastern coast of the Gulf of Suez, at which they had emerge…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:22-27Marah and Ellim. "So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, anti they went out into the wilderness of Shur," etc. The main topics here are— I. THE SWEET FOLLOWED BY THE BITTER. Singing these songs of triumph, and praisi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:23-27The trials and vicissitudes of life. Israel in the wilderness is a type of our pilgrimage through life. I. MONOTONY. The long weary sameness of days each exactly resembling the last (Exodus 15:22)—the desert all around…Joseph S. Exell and contributors