The people grumbled against Moses…Sadly in the days ahead, that would be one of a few recurring themes from the Israelites. As the tribes started through the wilderness, they could not find an adequate water source. Then they came to Marah, problem solved…or was it. The water was bitter. Clearly these thirsty people quickly forgot what God had already accomplished in their lives.
They started grumbling. I am sure it was the typical “Egyptian water is so much better…” They started grumbling about Moses, “That idiot doesn’t even plan enough water for us!” Moses was so demoralized. He went to God–the right choice! God reminded Moses to remind Israel that they need only trust and follow God and the Lord Himself would protect them from their enemies, not allow the plagues and sicknesses that the Egyptians felt to touch them; and provide their needs and their inheritance.
Then, God turned the bitter water into sweet water. The people and livestock were saved…Really? God had a plan all along. We see in the next verses that Israel marched down the road a bit to Elim where there was plenty of water for everyone. God was not only prepared, but He was also continuing to draw the slave out of these people. Or at least, He was preparing their leader and their children for what was to come.
God Bless You
22 Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah.[b] 24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log,[c] and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.
There the Lord[d] made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, 26 saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.
Walking With God 