I woke up on Monday morning, June 1, 2020 with a heavy heart. Our nation is having a rough year, of that there is no doubt. Our once thriving economy has been shuttered by a pandemic of questionable potency. We have been under stay home orders for 12 weeks now. Just when restrictions were beginning to loosen, the riots began. What started out as a peaceful protest in honor of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by the actions of a white police officer in Minnesota, have erupted into nationwide rioting.
In my opinion, our country is under attack by outsiders who want to change our way of life. Please do not misunderstand me. George Floyd should not be dead. The officer should, and I believe will, face consequences for his actions. Is there a system of inequality and racism in our law enforcement community? I don’t know. That has not been my experience, but I am not black. I am trying to step back and seek God in all of this. Only He can see with clear eyes the full truth in this situation.
I posted this on Facebook on Monday. Since that time, multiple police officers have been shot, some have died, trying to protect property and lives amid the riots. Innocent people and those participating in the violence have been injured or killed as well. I believe the message is still relevant. Only God can heal our land. Only God can heal our communities. Only God can heal our hearts…
JEHOVAH-ROPHE: “The Lord Who Heals”
When I first planned out the topic of this post, I thought it was to be about COVID 19. But, I believe our country is in need of much more than physical healing.
Jehovah is the personal name for God in Hebrew. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses all knew Him by this name. It is often combined with other words or phrases to reveal a particular part of His character. Rophe in it’s simplest form means “to heal”. When I looked it up, I was surprised to learn that it implies spiritual, emotional as well as physical healing. Our God, Jehovah-Rophe, is able to heal it all!
Bitter Waters Made Sweet
We first see this name used in Exodus. Let me set the stage…Israel has just gone through the plagues in Egypt. They are driven out in a hurry after the Lord’s angel killed all the Egyptian first born sons. They fled in fear of their lives and came to the side of the Red Sea. They were blocked in, trapped between Pharoah’s advancing army and the water. But, they faithfully followed instructions and God parted the sea so they could cross over. Pharoah’s army tried to follow, but they were wiped out when God released the waters. They had just finished celebrating God’s deliverance when they faced their next challenge. There was no water…
So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.
There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, and said, “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 the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”
Exodus 15:22-26 (NKJV)
God was so patient with Israel. Thankfully, He is also patient with us. Sometimes, it takes a while to get through to us…I mean, God had just clearly demonstrated His complete control over every part of creation, and the people were panicking and complaining because the water didn’t taste good. But, God showed them once again that He had things under control by making the water sweet.
After meeting their immediate need, God revealed a new name and a new promise for the people. He would protect them from the diseases that affected the Egyptians. All they had to do was listen to His voice and do what He said. Sounds simple enough, but we see throughout the Scriptures that it’s not always that easy keep up our part of the agreement!
A Complete 3-fold Healing
The name of Jehovah Rophe in the Old Testament reveals a 3-fold healing of the body, soul and spirit. I have been taught that the number three in Scripture represents completion. God is able to bring about a complete healing for those who are willing to seek His face and listen to His voice.
He heals our bodies…
For I will restore health to you
And heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord,
‘Because they called you an outcast saying:
“This is Zion;
No one seeks her.”
Jeremiah 30:17
He Heals our minds and our will…
“Return, you backsliding children,
And I will heal your backslidings.”“Indeed we do come to You,
Jeremiah 3:22
For You are the Lord our God.
He heals our spirits…
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
Isaiah 61:1
We All Need Healing
We all need to be healed. Every person on this earth is imperfect and therefore, needs the healing that only God can give. Thankfully, God has shown us the way to get His forgiveness and healing.
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
I am continuing to pray for God’s healing – for myself, for my family, my friends, and all I come in contact with, for our nation and our world. Will you join me?