I want to share something that I have found particularly
interesting from my Bible study that my contact, Randy, has been leading called
“Lord Heal my Hurts.” I hope it makes you think as much as it made me think!
Just yesterday, we looked at the metaphor, “the balm of
Gilead.” (ironic hyperlink I know, but it helps explain its significance.) Gilead is a territory where balm was produced. The balm was known for
both its healing properties, but for cosmetic benefits as well. The combination
of both cosmetic and healing properties is fascinating. When people are healed,
they often become more beautiful as well because pain, anxiety, or bitterness
have left them bringing a new, quiet exquisiteness.
Let’s take a look at two passages of scripture:
Genesis 37:25– “As they sat down to
eat their meals, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelite’s coming from
Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm, and myrrh and they were on
their way to take them to Egypt.”
Jeremiah 46:11– “Go up to Gilead
and get balm, daughter of Egypt, but you multiply remedies in vein, there is no
healing for you.”
Gilead was not only known for their balm; they were also
known as a city of refuge- a place that people could flee to when they needed
to escape trouble. Moses was instructed by God to designate Gilead to be a city
of refuge.
Genesis 31:21-55– Jacob flees from
Laban, his father in law.
I Samuel 13– Israelites fled
there when being pursued by the Philistines.
II Samuel 17– David fled there
when being pursued by Absalom.
Joshua 20:1-9 is a great passage that teaches about the
purpose of a city of refuge. I’ve taken the liberty of summarizing it for you. A
city of refuge is a place you can flee to if you mistakenly or accidentally
murder (involuntary manslaughter) someone to avoid the avenger of blood. They have
to explain their case, then they will be given a place to live. If the avenger
of blood comes, the city must not surrender the accused one. They must stay
until they stand trial and until the high priest who is serving at that time
dies. Then they can go back to his own town for where he fled.
Where do you run to in your times of trouble? What is your
city of refuge? Where is your Gilead?
So often we turn to man- counselors, psychiatrists, or psychologists
instead of turning to the obvious answer- our great God. In Jeremiah 8,
Jeremiah was greatly saddened because the people’s wounds were curable, but
they weren’t accepting God’s cure. They listened to man and to prophets, but
they wouldn’t pay attention to God or pay attention to God’s Word.
Check out Psalm 107.
Look how many times this phrase is repeated. “Then
they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their
distress.”
Notice the various distresses that the people
faced before they cried out to God.
There is one key verse (20). This verse proves
that healing comes from the word of God.
Over and over the people find themselves in distress and
over and over God comes to the rescue. Finally, “He sent forth his Word and
healed them. He rescued them from the grave.” (Verse 20)
The Word can heal you- there is a balm of Gilead. There is a
Great Physician.
