Topical Encyclopedia The Bible presents a consistent theme of God's power and willingness to heal His people. Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as a compassionate healer who responds to the cries of His people in their times of sickness and distress. This entry explores the biblical promises of healing, emphasizing God's role as the ultimate healer.Old Testament Promises In the Old Testament, God's covenant with Israel included promises of health and healing. One of the foundational texts is found in Exodus 15:26, where God declares, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His eyes, and give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer." Here, God identifies Himself as Jehovah Rapha, "the LORD who heals you," establishing His role as the healer of His people. The Psalms also reflect this promise of healing. Psalm 103:2-3 states, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits—He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases." This passage highlights the comprehensive nature of God's healing, which encompasses both physical and spiritual restoration. Prophetic Promises The prophets further articulate God's promise to heal. In Isaiah 53:5, the suffering servant is described as one who bears the iniquities and diseases of the people: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." This verse is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy pointing to the healing work of Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 30:17 also contains a promise of restoration and healing: "For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD." This assurance is given in the context of God's plan to restore Israel, demonstrating His commitment to the physical and spiritual well-being of His people. New Testament Fulfillment In the New Testament, the healing ministry of Jesus Christ is a central theme. Jesus is portrayed as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, bringing physical and spiritual healing to those who believe. Matthew 8:16-17 recounts, "When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took on our infirmities and carried our diseases.'" The Gospels are replete with accounts of Jesus healing the sick, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion. In Mark 5:34, Jesus tells a woman who had been suffering from a bleeding disorder, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." This highlights the role of faith in receiving God's healing. Apostolic Teaching The early church continued to experience God's healing power. In James 5:14-15, believers are instructed, "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up." This passage underscores the communal aspect of seeking healing through prayer and faith. The apostle Paul also speaks of God's sustaining grace in times of weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, he recounts God's response to his own affliction: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.'" While not a direct promise of physical healing, this assurance emphasizes God's presence and strength in the believer's life. Conclusion The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as a healer who is both willing and able to restore health to His people. Through faith, prayer, and obedience, believers are invited to experience the healing power of God, trusting in His promises and His perfect will. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 23:25And you shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless your bread, and your water; and I will take sickness away from the middle of you. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 20:5 Library Healed by Divine Power Letter clxvii . To Rusticus, Bishop of Gallia Narbonensis, with ... Out of the Deep of Suffering and Sorrow. God's Sovereignty and Prayer The Faith of Little Children. On the Sacrament of Extreme Unction. The Lord that Healeth Thee' The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly The Omnipotence of Faith Translation from the Greek. Resources Why does God allow sickness? | GotQuestions.orgIs Sunday sickness a real thing? | GotQuestions.org What is spiritual sickness? What does it mean to be spiritually sick? | GotQuestions.org Sickness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sickness: Christ Compassionate Those In Sickness: Christ Healed by Imposition of Hands Sickness: Christ Healed with a Touch Sickness: Christ Healed with a Word Sickness: Christ Healed: Being Present Sickness: Christ Healed: Not Being Present Sickness: Christ Healed: Through the Touch of his Garment Sickness: Faith Required in Those Healed of, by Christ Sickness: God: Abandons the Wicked To Sickness: God: Comforts Saints In Sickness: God: Exhibits his Love in Healing Sickness: God: Exhibits his Mercy in Healing Sickness: God: Exhibits his Power in Healing Sickness: God: Hears the Prayers of Those In Sickness: God: Often Manifests Saving Grace to Sinners During Sickness: God: Permits Saints to be Tried By Sickness: God: Persecutes the Wicked By Sickness: God: Preserves Saints in Time of Sickness: God: Promises to Heal Sickness: God: Strengthens Saints In Sickness: God's Aid should be Sought In Sickness: Healing of, Lawful on the Sabbath Sickness: Not Visiting Those In, an Evidence of not Belonging to Christ Sickness: Often Brought on by Intemperance Sickness: Often Incurable by Human Means Sickness: Often Sent As a Punishment of Sin Sickness: One of God's Four Sore Judgments on a Guilty Land Sickness: Pray for Those Afflicted With Sickness: Saints are Resigned Under Sickness: Saints: Acknowledge That, Comes from God Sickness: Saints: Ascribe Recovery From, to God Sickness: Saints: Feel for Others In Sickness: Saints: Mourn Under, With Prayer Sickness: Saints: Praise God for Recovery From Sickness: Saints: Pray for Recovery From Sickness: Saints: Thank God Publicly for Recovery Form Sickness: Saints: Visit Those In Sickness: The Apostles Were Endued With Power to Heal Sickness: The Devil Sometimes Permitted to Inflict Sickness: The Power of Healing: One of the Miraculous Gifts Bestowed on the Early Church Sickness: The Wicked: Forsake Those In Sickness: The Wicked: Have Much Sorrow, With Sickness: The Wicked: Visit not Those In Sickness: Visiting Those In, an Evidence of Belonging to Christ Related Terms |
    |