Healing in the Old Testament
October 28, 2012 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
A Egypt enslaved the people of God for 400 years when God stretched out His hand to rescue His people, deliver them to a better life.
1 The Israelites stood on the eastern side of the Red Sea as God squashed Pharaoh’s army.
a Final part of God’s judgement.
aa After plagues, disease had plaqued Egypt, culminating death of first born.
bb The Israelites were protected under the blood of the lamb on their doorposts.
b Now out of Egypt, it was God’s will that Egypt be taken out of them.
2 Ex. 15 records their journey into the Arabian Peninsula where they were tested at the spring of Marah. (Marah means bitter), contained undrinkable water.
a The water became drinkable when Moses threw a tree in the water.
b Beautiful picture of how Calvary’s tree sweetens for us the bitter water of life.
B 25 Then he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them.26 And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer." Ex 15:25-26 (NASB)
1 There was a covenant of healing & heath as a result of God’s healing the water.
a Here are the conditions of the healing covenant of God:
aa Be sensitive to the voice of the Lord.
bb Live knowing you are accountable to God.
cc Live in obedience to God’s plan for living.
dd Live a life according to God’s appointed time.
b At Dollar General there are Reese’s Peanut Butter Christmas Trees at the check out. In December, we’ll be gearing up for Valentine’s day!
aa Card’s that say “My heart is yours!” or “My heart belongs to you!.”
bb Faithfulness is the sentiment: “There is no other for me. My heart belongs to you. I’m already spoken for/taken.”
c When we “heed the voice of God” we are giving God our ears!
aa When we get away from God, back-slide, grow cold . . . it is usually because we’ve not fully given our ears over to God.
bb Instead of listening to God we listen to the lies of the enemy, wisdom of this world, or our flesh.
cc If God has your ears you can’t hear the negative impact of Satan!
2 John 14.26, If you listen He will instruct you in all things!
26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you John 14:26 (NASB)
a As we mature we’ll develop the ability to heed God’s commandments.
b As you submit to God’s commandments you learn to keep His Law, decrees and keep appointments made by Him. (Worship, appointed meetings & feasts, faithfulness in giving)
c When we do, God makes a covenant of health with us (like He did Israel)
aa First, no disease in Egypt will infect them.
bb Second, God makes a declaration of healing: “For I am the Lord who heals you”
26 And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer." Ex 15:26 (NASB)
d God declares His covenant name again, like at the burning bush, “I am what I have always been and I am what I will be . . . “
aa YHWH is often translated the great “I AM.”
bb The name Rapha or “Healer!”
3 He declares Himself to Yahweh Rapha (Jehovah Rapha), “the Lord who is healer.”
a He is the Lord who is present in the now to heal!
b His healing was available but conditional upon their faith, obedience in His words.
c This covenant has never been withdrawn.
C Healing as a Benefit of the Old Covenant
1 David affirms that covenant of healing in Psalm 103
a God’s character/compassion were revealed to Moses. (He showed He was Jehovah Rapha)
b David, about a 1,000 years later composed a song to celebrate the benefits/affirm the covenant of healing in the Lord.
aa 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle 6 The Lord performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed.7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. Psalms 103:1-7 (NASB)
bb David is worshiping Him for all of His goodness, blessings.
cc David realizes the covenant made with Moses belongs to him.
2 David sets forth a protocol for enjoying the benefits of God’s covenant.
a One’s soul/thinking must be right.
aa David called his own soul on the carpet/commanded his thinking to move to praise/thanksgiving.
bb Praise always manifests the presence of God & His presence is essential for receiving the benefits of the covenant.
cc We mustn’t ever forget God’s goodness no matter what the outward circumstance may be.
b A person must know that their sins are forgiven.
aa Sin unleashed disease on the earth.
bb The answer to sin is forgiveness!
c God heals ALL diseases. (He wants us to be healthy)
d These steps lead to a renewed youth, an extended life, and positive lifestyle.
aa 17 But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children,18 To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them. Psalms 103:17-18 (NASB)
bb God’s love & saving power are united together and that includes healing for those who are faithful to His covenant.
D The Promise of the Healing Covenant
1 The prophets operated in God’s healing power. (Elijah/Elisha ministries were marked with miracles, healing, raising of the dead)
a The healing of Naaman, Gentile soldier, proves God’s healing covenant was extended to the Gentiles.
b Jesus cites Naaman in Luke 4 and nearly gets killed by His own people!
2 Isaiah promised a healing a Savior (Is. 53.4-5).
4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted.5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well -being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 (NASB)
a Paul referenced this prophecy in 1 Peter 2.24.
24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross , so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NASB)
b Jeremiah cried out for healing medicine for the people (Jere. 8.22)
22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people been restored? Jer 8:22 (NASB)
c Malachi spoke of the coming day when the Messiah would bring even greater healing
2 "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.3 "You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing," says the Lord of hosts. 4 "Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. Mal 4:2-4 (NASB)
Conclusion:
A As N.T. Christians we often overlook the importance/significance of the words given in the O.T: we do this at our peril!
1 There is a promised healing rooted in the covenant w/ Moses in Exodus 15.
2 God does not change!
a His promised are irrevocable!
b “I am the Lord who heals you” (Ex. 15.26).
26 And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer." Ex 15:26 (NASB)
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
