examples of healing in the old testament

We find the same sentiment throughout the Old Testament: Amos 3:6, Isa 19:22, 45:7, Jer 14:19, 30:12-17. [Links], Ilega, D.I., 2000, Yoruba religious tradition: West African religious tradition, Hamaz Global Ventures, Ado Ekiti. In Numbers 21, we read of how the Israelites sin (speaking against God) results in a plague of poisonous snakes in the camp. Whether it is through forgiveness, confrontation with God, self-care, repentance, or grace and acceptance, these examples show us that emotional healing is possible and can lead to a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment. 1 Kings 14:10-14God determined the death of Jeroboam's child in order to wipe out the house of the unfaithful king. 1 Sam 1:9-20 We can list a few of these examples. The social and economic dimensions of shalom in Africa can come because of righteousness (Is 32:17). Hos 6:1-2 :21 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men:22 Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing. Although physicians are not prominent in the Old Testament text, their existence is acknowledged, and their activities and worth are not denied. Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again, for the Lord had closed up every womb in Abimelech's household because of Abraham's wife Sarah. Gen 20:17-18. Matt 8:16-17 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 article has discussed the concept of health and healing in the Old Testament by mentioning the various terminologies used for health and healing. When they call out to Moses, he prayed to God and God instructed Moses to make a serpent of bronze for healing (Nm 21:9). :8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. I would highly recommend them to anyone with a desire to be equipped in the area of healing ministry. The economic dimension of shalom is the most important meaning in Africa which is followed by the spiritual dimension. Not to heal is a contradiction or violation of who he is and what he does. However, the great act of atonement for our sin also includes provision for deliverance from sickness. The most important part of the verse is the last sentence (Ex 15:26). (John 1:29, 1 Cor 5:7). These miraculous occurrences provided Israel with confidence in their leaders and in the Scriptures that recorded their stories. :21 His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones stick out which once were not seen. [Links], Muntner, S., 1977, 'Medicine in Ancient Israel', in F. Rostner (ed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Despite the rather depressing picture presented above, there is also hope! 83-96, Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN. :11 Then He said to me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. As in the Old Testament, healing in the African (Yoruba) indigenous culture is a corporate matter which involves the totality of the person, the family and the community (Adamo 2004:35). If there is no good food, no tolerance, no justice and no righteousness, there cannot be any well-being or good health. You know I lost my joy because of the things that happened, but I have forgiven the people who hurt me. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it, says the LORD.. The word rendered "sorrows" in Isaiah, and "sicknesses" in Matthew, means "pain, grief, or anguish of mind." Healing in the Old Testament: Exploring God's Restorative Power He still does today. The King is Coming It's Time for an Awakening It's time for an awakening. 47 Old Testament Prophecies About Jesus - Learn Religions While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.". They may be described as times of refreshing from the Lord. (Acts 3:19), Specific Healings recorded in the Old Testament. Jesus calms a storm on the sea. The Spirit of the Lord will be upon him to heal, deliver and emancipate Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:18-19, 21. This is the very platform on which the New Testament church was launched Acts 2:17-22. Jesus said that the Psalms revealed God's will (Luke 24:44). That is why Yahweh is described as the Righteous One (referenced). [Links], Ogunkunle, C.O., 2004, 'Prophet Isaiah and the healing of Hezekiah in African context', in S.O. This is in contrast with the place of physicians in Mesopotamia and Africa, particularly in Egypt, and the post-biblical times where their presence is not only acknowledged, but also prominent. Numbers 16:46-50 Others live in Benin and Sierra Leone. The last phrase, the Lord, who heals you is a translation of two words Yahweh and ropheka. This phrase means the healing God or God who heals conveying something of the very heart and nature of God. Scriptures are from the King James Version, unless stated otherwise. Exodus 15:26, which appears to be the root verse of , seems to be the most important foundation of the Old Testament theology of healing. It is a common and important verb that occurs about 1150 times in the Old Testament (Renn 2005:682). Hippocrates was considered the 'father of Medicine', but when Breasted translated the Edwin Smith papyri in 1930, it became clear that Imhotep, the African Egyptian who antedates Hippocrates by 2500 years was rather the 'father of Medicine' (Adodo 2010:66). Namaan is healed. In the Old Testament and the indigenous Yoruba community, 'healing from illness is an essential part of human existence' and it is 'experienced quite naturally as God's deed' (Westermann 1972:10). What the Old Testament says about the body as part of the human being, which is the subject of health, is important. From the Old Testament point of view, human body parts are complex structures. :19 The living, the living man, he shall praise You, As I do this day; The father shall make known Your truth to the children. See Tables 2 and 3 for examples of the use of the potent words, ofo or ogeed, for healing scorpion sting or headache. The water then became drinkable. D.T.A. Alcock, Harper & Row, New York, NY. There are more people committed to the Yoruba religion outside Africa than in Nigeria. 1. Isaiah 35:5-6:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Mark 6:52 - For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. Significance of Reading Healing Stories from the Bible To prove God's healing power and to give Him glory In the Bible, God is given different names. Five important things are worth noticing in the above promise of Yahweh: (1) the promise was conditional to their obedience; (2) the promise was to prevent diseases; (3) these are specific diseases similar to the ones suffered by the Egyptians; (4) it implies that Yahweh himself can afflict people; and (5) there was an assurance that if the people get sick, Yahweh can heal them. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. By looking upon the bronze snake, Israelites are not only delivered from judgment and deaththey are physically healed. God uses bronze snakes as a form of healing intervention. In contrast, Hezekiah contracted a terminal illness which was not related to any mis-deeds 2 Kings 20:1-6.. Israel murmured many times, but Yahweh responded positively. Scripture not only presents the possibility of healing but includes it as a benefit of the atonement in these passages. Firstly, it is difficult to identify which herb heals which disease. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Dan 4:35. Thank you for this article and it helped me to equip myself with another good foundation. Exodus 20:12:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. and why art thou disquieted within me? Faith, Healing, Faith General, 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Experiencing the mercy of God in our lives, Looking to Jesus for help now and hope in the future, Help your church understand God's plan in pain. [Links], Gaiser, F.J., 2010, Healing in the Bible, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, MI. [Links], Wilson, R.R, 'The former prophets: Reading the Books of Kings', in J.L. 3. Scriptures: Rebekah and Rachel became fertile by praying to Yahweh (Gn 20:17-18 - NRSV). Mays, D. Peterson & K. Richards (eds. The Old Testament book of Psalms mentions healing often. They do not seem to be interested in discussing the anatomical or physiological function as much as the moral activities and spiritual achievement. There is no further mention of her having leprosy. Healing in the Exodus of Israel He chose Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau, despite them not being the first-born. (NKJV), Psalm 103:2-5:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits::3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,:4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,:5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagles. 7. The widow's son in 1 King 17:7-24 was healed by Elijah when her son died. 47. In the same way that God is love describes something that God is (not just does) God is here described as a God who is by nature a healing God. With these miracles of raising a dead child and the multiplication of oil and bread, Elijah demonstrated that he acted by the power of Yahweh as was the testimony of the widow: 'Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth"' (1 Ki 17:24; Collins 2004:264). Isa 35:5-6 :9 And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. Scriptures are from the King James Version, unless stated otherwise. Namaan has a skin condition, and the prophet Elisha tells him to wash seven times in the Jordan River. In neither does it refer to the disease of the mind, or to sin. 99-11, Action Press, Nairobi. He continues by connecting these statements with the redemption of our lives from the pit, which is an obvious reference to being saved from judgement in hell. Elijah raised a widows son from death. It is certain that when the Old Testament mentions strength, it does not simply mean physical strength, but a person's strength throughout their whole being which includes body and wellness. Finally, there were other healings from barrenness by sovereign acts of God. Here are more Old Testament Healing Scriptures: Psalm 107:17-22:17 Fools, because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. It was always in Gods heart to be gracious even in the Old Testament era. This is lacking in most African countries. Watch teaching messages on the From These Shores YouTube Channel. 2 Kings 4:8-17 It would simply be a matter of cause and effect. We find that the Old Testament records a number of examples of people being afflicted with sickness as judgment for sin. This word is most frequently used in the book of Jeremiah (31 times), Isaiah (27 times) and Psalm (27 times) (Wilkinson 1998:11). Hannah received healing from barreness in response to her personal prayers and Eli, the priests declaration. God also diminished resources, made the land barren or sent enemies to attack in order to punish or discipline his people.) The spiritual dimension of shalom in the African continent involves the healing of Africa through righteousness, justice and redemption from sin. 2 Kings 20:5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. Table 1 mirrors a common song among the Yoruba people that tells the importance of peace, as well as healing, because, without peace, there is no health (Adamo 2004:36). Anointed Bible teaching to help you understand the Word of God. The root's meaning is 'to belong', 'to make long' and 'to prolong' (Davidson 1977:46). So then, please send your healing Word to your servant. Elijah then returned the boy to his mother. Gen. 20:18Abimelechs household became barren when he unwittingly planned to take Sarah as his wife. As the company of prophets ate the stew, they called out, 'oh man of God there is death in the pot' (2 Ki 4:38-42), because it was made of the poisonous wild vine. Sarah conceives and gives birth to Isaac (17:17; 18:12; 21:2). Abraham Prayed for King Abimelech and His Household to Be Healed If you are active in taking healing and deliverance to others, specifically look at those examples where God used people other than the apostles. The main purpose of the Messiah, according to the Old Testament, was to deal with the spiritual consequences of human sin. African (Yoruba) medicine involves the use of herbs, sacred chants, potent words, dance and touch. Thirdly, it is technically difficult to accurately determine the amount of chemical ingredients in an herb. :48 And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. So he said to the paralyzed man, "Get up, take your mat and go home. The opening of blind eyes, the hearing of deaf ears, the leaping of the lame and the joyful shouting of the mute will all occur when the Messiah arrives (Isaiah 35:1-10). Toryough & R.A Oguntoye (eds. "The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power. Here are five great examples of healing in the Bible. [Links], Knight, G.A.F., 1953, A biblical approach to the doctrine of the trinity, T&T Clark, Edinburgh. Sarah - Genesis 18:10,14, 21:1-3. PDF 132 Spiritual Gifts 8Healing, Working of Miracles, Prophecy - Global Reach If people sin, they can expect calamity. The Old Testament view is that Yahweh is the healer of all diseases, even those who are healed through prophets, physicians, through different means or materials such as herbs, water and symbolic actions. The book of Deuteronomy consistently states that health and wealth are the rewards of God for obedience, whereas sickness and misfortune are his punishments. 8 Windows on Healing in the Old Testament 1. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Inspiring Healing Stories in the Bible - FaithGiant :8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. Karl Barth called it 'the divine Magna Carta in all matters of health questions' (cited by Wilkinson 1998:53). The term is used both literally and metaphorically. So he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. Jeremiah 30:17:17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. According to the Yoruba legend, Osanyin also has the gift of communicating with plants and was good at the knowledge of herbs and how to use the energy of plants for healing (Adodo 2010:72). , Your email address will not be published. (NKJV). After what some scholars believe to be nine months of serious sickness and loss, the patient and trusting Job prayed for his critical friends and was personally healed. Job 42:10-17 Given the multitude of Scriptures connecting faith to healing, we must conclude that sometimes healing does not occur because of a lack of faith, or better, the pleasing kind of faith that God honors. Try, What Small Groups Do Bestand What They Don't, The Power Of Choosing To Be A Touchable Leader. Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin. Akano, D.O. Akintunde, G.N. Psalm 147:3:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. However, there are various occasions when Yahweh healed directly. It is further explained that the application of the root 'to heal', came from the practice of stitching the edges of wounds together to restore skin continuity. Job 33:19-28:19 Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with strong pain in many of his bones,:20 So that his life abhors bread, And his soul succulent food. Psalms, Proverbs and the prophets continue this theme. Barth considers anthropology under four headings: 1) Humanity as soul, body, and spirit, 2) Humanity as man and woman in partnership, 3) Humanity as both "responsible lords and willing servants,". 1 Sam. Jesus casts demons into a herd of pigs.
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