PRESERVED FROM THIRST

YAHWEH-RAPHA

Exodus 15:26-27
King James Version (KJV)


26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

15:26 healeth, raphà (rah-phah); To cure, heal repair, mend, restore health. Its participal form rophè, "one who heals," is the Hebrew word for doctor. The main idea of the verb raphà is physical healing. Some have tried to explain away the biblical teaching of divine healing, but all can see that this verse speaks of physical diseases and their divine cure. The first mention of raphà in the Bible (Gen. 20:17) refers unquestionably to the cure of a physical condition, as do references to healing from leprosy and boils (Lev. 13:18; 14:3). Scripture affirms, "I am Yahweh your Physician."

Four Keys to Understanding God: Successful Christian living begins with knowing who God is. In Exodus, God reveals part of His nature and character. Knowing God in truth will affect our behavior. Exodus gives four keys to make our lives more faithful and fruitful: (1.) Understand, (2.) Receive, (3.) Rely upon, (4.) Pursue.

15:26 God is a Good God, He Desires Only His Best SEED FAITH. In promising His continuing, healing presence as our Covenant Healer, God places two great conditions before His people.

First, God asks us to heed Him. He wants us to listen for His voice, to have a hearing ear so we will hear Him. God has always spoken to His people and He will speak to you today, but you must cultivate an attitude of listening for His voice. He speaks in many ways: through His Word, through His anointed servants, and through direct revelation in your inner man (Eph. 1:17, 18). He is seeking a people who will listen for His voice and not try to run and hide from Him (see Gen. 3:8).

Second. God asks us to "do that which is right in his sight." He is seeking people who will not only hear His words, but will take them to heart and act on them-people who will obey His word and not be hearers only (see James 1:22-25).

God’s goodness is abundantly promised. It awaits those who "soweth to the Spirit" (Gal.6:7-9), hearing His voice and doing what He tells us to do.

KINGDOM DYNAMICS

15:26 The Old Testament Healing Covenant DIVINE HEALING. This verse is widely referred to as the OT Divine Healing Covenant. It is called a "covenant." Because in it God promises He will keep His people free from diseases and conditions the promise upon their diligent obedience. The words used here for "diseases" (Hebrew makhaleh) and "healeth" (Hebrew rapha) are regularly used for physical sickness and bodily healing. This is not only a spiritual concept, but also an intensely physical one. The covenant is made absolutely certain by the fact that God joins His mighty name to the promise, calling Himself  Yahwey Rapha, meaning "the Lord who heals." Yahweh-Rapha is one of the compound names by which God revealed His attributes to Israel. Here His very name declares it is His nature to be the Healer to those who obey His word – to recover to health and to sustain in health.

While sin and disobedience are not always the direct cause of sickness, man’s fall into sin is the original and underlying cause of all disease. Those who seek healing will benefit by looking to Christ Jesus our sin-bearer, along with pursuing renewed consecration. (see James 5:14-16; 1 Cor. 11:29-32.)

KINGDOM DYNAMICS

15:25, 26 Receive God as "The Lord Who Heals You." To heal is His nature; His will is to make us whole.

15:26 The Lord healeth thee in Hebrew is Yahweh-Ropheka. This is one of the blessings enjoyed when one is obedient, covenant relationship with Gods.

In Christ,

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
www.biblestoriestheatre.org
info@biblestoriestheatre.org