Healing of the Sick

Who is God? Jehovah Rophe...Lord our Healer

Healing of the Sick

 Jeremiah 33:6 “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” (NIV)

 

               There was a man named Naaman who was the captain of his guard. He was highly favored with the king because God had given him numerous victories. Despite his many successes, he had a terrible illness from which there was no cure. He suffered from leprosy, which as the disease progressed, could result in public stigma due to being contagious in nature and causing body deterioration.

 

 

          There were no doctors who could cure him or any medication that could be subscribed. Those who were diagnosed with leprosy were often the outcast of the community, but the disease seemingly had not disabled Naaman just yet in order to keep him from doing his military duties. Therefore, he continued to serve as the captain of the army, but this may have possibly weighed in on his mind as to how long he would have before he would no longer be able to fulfill his military obligations and be an outcast in his community. The Israelites had to abide by strict rules when it came to diseases such as leprosy, but Naaman was not an Israelite, therefore, his country handled things differently. Leviticus 13:45-46 The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out. ‘Unclean! Unclean! As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp. (NIV)

               Naaman’s wife had a young handmaiden who had been taken captive during a raid in Israel. The young girl believed in God even though she was not with her own people. She knew of her master’s condition and told her mistress about the Prophet Elijah who was able to heal him. Elijah did not have any power of his own, but it was the power that he received from Jehovah Rophe to be able to heal the sick. Once Naaman heard the young maiden’s news, he spoke with the king and informed him about what the young maiden had said. The king gave his consent for Naaman to go to the prophet in Israel. The king sent a letter ahead of him to the king of Israel to let him know that the captain of his guard was coming to get a cure for his leprosy. However, the king of Israel took the letter to mean that he was to cure him and not the prophet, Elijah. 2 Kings 5:7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” (NIV)

               The king should have known that it was not he with whom the letter was referring to, but the prophet Elijah. When Elijah received word of what had taken place he sent word to the king to have Naaman come to him. When Naaman arrived at Elijah’s house, Elijah had his messenger to deliver a message to Naaman telling him to go wash in the Jordan seven times and then he would be made well. Nevertheless, this angered Naaman. He expected Jehovah Rophe to move in one way when He was about to move in a total different manner. 2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. (NIV) Naaman thought that surely, there was cleaner rivers to wash in instead of going to the filthy Jordan. However, his servants talked him into following the prophet’s instructions. He went to the Jordan, washed 7 times and was made whole.

               Jehovah Rophe is our Healer, but no one can put Him into a box. His mind extends beyond that of the average human’s brain. Naaman thought that Jehovah Rophe would work one way, but He performed a miracle in a total different manner. 1 Corinthians 2:16 For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (NIV) Naaman was about to miss his healing due to his preconceived notion as to how it was to take place. However, through his obedience, he received the healing that he needed from Jehovah Rophe.

               There is nothing that Jehovah Rophe can’t heal in your life if you allow Him. He never forces anything on you, but it is important to allow Him to flow in the manner that He chooses and not try to confine Him due to your own human limitations. Jehovah Rophe loves to display His supernatural power in our lives, but we must give Him complete control and allow Him to be the driver. Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (NIV)