Subject: “Is There No Balm In America?
Text: Jeremiah 8:20-22
Introduction Of The Text:
I don’t have to remind you, that America is facing
some of her most challenging days or times! Yes, this
country has faced some difficult times in the past, but what
we are facing today a Fulfillment Of Bible Prophecies.
Well, let me give you some examples:
1. Gun Violence
2. Lack Of Affordable Health Care
3. Coronavirus Outbreak
4. Racism
5. Lawlessness
Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1-5: “But understand this,
that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money,
proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents,
ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous,
without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous,
reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather
than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness,
but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
So, what does Paul means when he said: “Having a form
of godliness, but denying its power?” Well, if you
meet someone who says that they believe in Jesus but live
in habitual, unrepentant sin, they are denying the power
of God that would enable them to say no, to that sin.
My friend, they have a form of godliness in their words,
but they deny its power by their actions. That person is a
false believer. Oh, yes, that person claims Christ in name
only, but his or her heart is far from Him.
Well, let’s examine the text and see if we can get an
answer to the “lawlessness, chaos, disorder, anarchy and
lack of control” that we are experiencing in America.
I. What Is Balm? (Verse-22)
In Biblical times “healing balm” was used as a
medicine. A “healing balm” was used to help cure many
types of ailments. Therefore, it is fair to say that there was
a “healing balm” used in Bible times, as they are used today.
The Prophet Jeremiah asked God why He hadn’t supplied
this precious balm to help in the healing of his people and
their sinful ways. The balm comes from several herbs that are
part of the mint family of plants; it is used in everything
from food to alcohol and perfume to fruit drinks.
Regards to the “Balm of Gilead,” this balm is related to
the cream tree and is considered a myrrh-like resin/chemical
compound found in the Arabian Peninsula, specifically in
ancient Palestine east of the Jordan River; it was used for
medicine. This “balm” was known to be combined with
other ingredients to increase its potency, such as licorice
and honey for solving chest congestion to oil for bruising,
swelling, or damage to the skin. Infection is what the “Balm
of Gilead” is used mostly for. Some ancient historians say
that Queen Sheba gave a gift of the balm to King
Solomon. The "Balm of Gilead" was, therefore, a high-
quality ointment with healing properties.
II. Why Is Gilead So Important To The Prophet
Jeremiah? (Verse-22)
First of all, this place Gilead is recognized in the
Bible for being the birthplace of the Prophet Elijah.
Gilead was the last place Jacob and Laban met. Gilead
was the battlefield of Gideon and the Midianites where
Gideon was named the victor. So, it makes sense that a
“balm” from Gilead would be important to the Prophet
Jeremiah. The first reference to the phrase: “Balm of
Gilead” can be found in the book of Genesis, an account
of Joseph, as the caravan, Joseph was sold to by his brothers
were from Gilead, carrying items such as “balm” to Egypt.
(Gen. 37:25) The “Balm of Gilead” makes another
appearance in Joseph’s life in Genesis 43:11, when Israel
(Jacob) tells his sons to travel back to Joseph, unrecognized
by his brothers, bringing the finest in goods (one item being
balm) so he would give them grain during the famine.
Combine this knowledge of healing with the history of Gilead
in defeating mighty opponents (Gideon) and bringing the
birthplace of a well-known prophet (Elijah), and one can
very well see why Jeremiah thought the place of Gilead was
so important. This place was occupied by well-known leaders.
III. Why Does Jeremiah Ask: “Is There No Balm In
Gilead?”(Verse-22)
You see, the Prophet Jeremiah was chosen by God
to warn the people of Judah that the city of Jerusalem
would be taken over if they didn’t repent of their sins and
return to God. Jeremiah preached for many years trying to
convince and to persuade the people to repent.
Someone even gave him the name/title: “The Weeping
Prophet.” So, they called him “The Weeping Prophet”
because his heart was so tender, gentle, caring, and loving
for the people to whom he ministered. He may not have liked
some of the things that God did to the people, yet he was
very obedient to God and was a Suffering Prophet.
Oh yes, Jeremiah was faithful when God gave him a strong
word and challenged him to fulfill that word.
Listen, if you obey the Lord, you will have to suffer some
things. People won’t understand you. You will be taken
the wrong way, misunderstood, misread, misheard, and
misjudged! So, Jeremiah asked: “Is there no balm in
Gilead, is there no physician there? Why then is there no
recovery for the health of the daughter of my people?”
This question was asked by Jeremiah because God would
soon bring His judgment on all nations that went against
His will and truth. Oh, no! Not just Judah, any Nation
that will not obey the voice of the Lord! And that includes
“America The Beautiful.” “Oh beautiful, for spacious
skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain
majesties, Above the fruited plain. America, America, God
shed his grace on thee, He crowned thy good, in brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea.” Yet God will “judge” America The
Beautiful. Therefore, Jeremiah mention “The Balm Of
Gilead” in hope that it might be Judah’s only help and hope.
With all this being said: What is the Cure, Medicine,
Remedy, Solution for the Lawlessness we are seeing in
America? What is America’s answer to Gun Violence,
Racism, Rise in Food Price, Coronavirus Outbreak,
Health Care?” Is There No Balm In America?
This is the question that I begin with, and this is the
question that I will end with! Not only will I end with this
question, but I will give you an answer to this question…
IV. Jesus Is The Balm Of Gilead In The New Testament
As I think about an “all-powerful healing balm,”
folks, the only One that can save a hopeless condition,
(America), for that matter the (World) who else will that
“Balm” be than the sacrificial love, death, and resurrection
of Jesus Christ? Just like the people of Jeremiah’s day,
the people in the New Testament were disobedient people
as well. The same people who had praised Jesus’ name
and covered His path with palm leaves on Palm Sunday,
were the same people to cry “Crucify Him” a week later on
Good Friday! Oh, yes, just as the people of Judah were told
by God, through the Prophet Jeremiah, that only the “Balm
of Gilead” could save them from themselves, the same is
true with Jesus, for He is “The New Testament Balm of
Gilead!” His blood on the cross and willingness to give
His life for us emulates that of a “Healing Balm” that can
heal us of our sins. My friend, this is what Easter, is all about!
It is a time to remember that when we were lost as a people
and separated from God, Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice
to offer the only “Healing Balm” to save our lives. Yes, there
is “hope” there is “help” for those who are in “Christ Jesus!”
*Again I asked: “Is There No Balm In America?”
The answer is: “YES!” His name is Jesus! Yes, Jesus is the
name that makes the wounded whole! He is: “The Bread of
Life, The Redeemer, The Son of the Living God, The King
of Kings, The Alpha, and Omega, Immanuel, The Mediator,
The Lamb of God, The Good Shepherd, The Rock, The True
Vine, The Bright and Morning Star, The Great I Am, The
Way, The Truth and the Life, My Savior!”
Listen, our help and hope in America is Jesus Christ!
February is: “Black History Month.” It is fitting that I
close this message with this well-known Negro Spiritual
that applies the words of the text…
“There is a balm in Gilead, To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead, To heal the sin-sick soul.”
