Jehovah, our Healer
If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, … I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians,
for I am Jehovah Rapha – the LORD, your healer. (Exodus 15:26).
God introduces himself to the Israelites with different names and descriptions at various occasions; the name ‘Jehovah Rapha’ is found in the verse quoted above. He not only manufactured us but also maintains and protects us; we should be thankful because, though our bodies face numerous dangers, we are kept alive. Even the knowledge and tools used by the medical practitioners are partial revelations from God our Maker; many doctors therefore admit with the cliché, ‘We treat, God heals’. He heals way beyond what medicine and all manner of therapy could ever achieve: those troubled with stress headaches, demonic sleeping disorders, chronic retrogression in life – all can receive healing freely from the Lord of Life, Jehovah Rapha.
The Israelites are called to diligently listen to the voice of the Lord – and so are we. In Isaiah 35, the healing promises are stretched into the Messianic reign of the eternal kingdom, where all who diligently listen to and obey the voice of the Lord will live forever: this will be the ultimate healing for these people and all creation. Jesus Christ gave a foretaste of this hope while he lived on earth: he healed many who were sick, like the man who had waited for thirty-eight years at the miracle pool at Bethesda – his long wait came to an end when Jesus intervened. Jesus Christ healed many more, and gave instructions to his disciples when they went for ministry to a city, to “Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” As we declare Him as Jehovah Rapha, He longs for us to embrace this good news – the Kingdom of God has come near you.
God bless you.