What were the circumstances in which God revealed this name to His people? Exodus 15:22-25a tells the story:
"(22) So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. (23) Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. (24) And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” (25) So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet." NKJV
The Israelites had just been miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt. They had just been miraculously rescued from certain destruction by the Egyptians as they crossed the Red Sea on dry land. With chariots and warriors bearing down on them from behind, the hand of God parted the waters of the Red Sea and the Isrealites fled to safety on the other side. The annihilation that pursued them was swallowed up as God removed His hand and the waters consumed Pharaoh and his mighty army.
The land immediately on the other side of the Red Sea was desert … with no water. After three days of walking, when water did finally appear, it was not suitable for drinking. It was bitter. They grumbled to Moses and Moses cried out to God. God answered and the water was made sweet, suitable for drinking.
I don’t know about you, but I think there is more to the story than is recorded in this passage. Meaning no disrespect to the Holy Scriptures, this is my version of what is left out of verse 25:
25 So he cried out to the LORD:
LORD, this is Moses … again.
Hello my son!
LORD, you know we’ve been walking three days in the desert and not found water. Now, there is water but it is too bitter to drink.
Yes, I know.
Well, LORD, the people are thirsty and the livestock are thirsty. Everybody is irritable and grumbling. We need water to drink.
and the LORD showed him a tree.
See that tree over there?
Yes, LORD.
Throw it into the water and it will be sweet.
Ah, LORD, let me see if I understand what you are saying: you want me to take this tree that is so small I can uproot it and throw it into this body of water so large it will quench the three-day thirst of over one million people and all their livestock?
Yes, that’s what I said.
OK LORD, I will obey you, but it makes no sense to me.
Moses, Moses, do you not realize that I could make this water sweet without you or that tree? I have asked you to throw the tree into the water to confirm your heart of obedience to me, especially obedience in the midst of human reasoning that makes you doubt. And, I want you to experience the joy of taking part in the miracle. It’s human nature to want to help and to do something, so I have given you something to do. We’re partners in this -- you do your part, and I’ll do mine.
When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.
Then He tells Moses at the end of the next verse, “For I am the LORD who heals you.” This divine revelation came to God’s people after He delivered them from slavery and rescued them from death. It came when they were in the wilderness and thirsty with nothing to quench their thirst. It came when they cried out for help and when Moses listened and obeyed. It came when they were open to receive it.
Are you in a wilderness, thirsty and unquenched? Are you a slave to an illness or disease? Do you need to be rescued? Cry out to Jehovah Raphe ... then listen and obey.
*pronounced jeh HOH vuh RAY fah
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