6 October 2024

JEHOVAH- ROPHE: THE LORD OUR HEALER (Part 1)

(The Names Of God: TNOG 10)

The Name Jehovah-Rophe means Jehovah heals. The Hebrew word “Rophe” means “heal,” “cure,” “restore,” or “make whole.” This Name of God, is found in Ex 15:22-26. It was Israel’s first experience of Healing after crossing the Red Sea and the singing of the great song of triumph. But they experienced adversity: "So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water." (15:22).

One moment they were rejoicing and singing the song of victory, and the next they were complaining. The way was hot and weary, and their water was giving out. For three days they were without water so they murmured against Moses. We are told the reason in verse 23: "And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore, the name of it was called Marah" (which means ‘bitter’).

Then Moses cried to God and He showed Moses a certain tree, which, when cast into the waters, turned them from bitterness to sweetness so that the people drank. They were refreshed and strengthened and heartened for the journey ahead. Their murmuring was turned to praise as their confidence in Jehovah and His servant Moses was renewed. There and then the LORD said to Israel in verse 26: “If you diligently heed the Voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases on you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I Am the Lord Who heals you” [Jehovah-Ropheka].

God revealed Himself as the Source of all healing. Although it refers to physical healing, it usually has a larger meaning as well, involving the entire person rather than merely healing of the body. Jehovah Ropheka heals the mind and the soul as well. Ropheka transliterates a Hebrew word used almost 70 times in the Old Testament for healing, restoring or preserving.

Ropheka is a form of the word Rapha, which is a Hebrew word meaning “to heal.” This word tells us a function to which God has committed Himself. This also reveals God’s great desire and ability to provide healing for His people with no limitations. To heal is what He does. Healing is God’s loving Nature in manifestation because He is Love.

The children of Israel were delivered from the bondage of Egypt, and God wanted them to experience all His blessings, including health. He knew that His people, living in this world, would need healing at times. So, the Lord gave them the promise in Exodus 15:26 that He is their Healer and the sole Source of all true healing. Just think of the miracle God did for them: three million travelling in the desert for 40 years and the Psalmist testified: “and there was not one feeble person among their tribes” (Psalm 105:37). Not one feeble person! What great healing took place. Surely our God is a Miracle Healing God!

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