THE BIBLE AND HEALING MINISTRY {PART 1}

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND HEALING MINISTRY {PART 1}

Healing in the Old Testament

Presenter: Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Devotional Text: Ex. 15:26

INTRODUCTION:

               Healing is the restoration of health to the body of an individual who had been sick. By this, physical or bodily healing is in focus, as there is also spiritual healing, when the application is geared towards the spiritual dimension of the person who requires it. However, for the purpose of this lesson, the concern is on the healing of the body. To this end, the Old Testament Scripture shows that healing comes from the LORD when it says... “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 statues, I WILL put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I AM the LORD who heals you,” {Ex. 15:26}

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)       In the Old Testament Scripture, healing is conditioned on heeding the VOICE of the LORD {vs. 26}

(2)       In the Old Testament Scripture, also, the LORD GOD is established as the HEALER, {vs. 26}

(3)       The Old Testament Scripture, equally cites that people cried out to the LORD for healing, {Jer. 17:14}

(4)       The Old Testament Scripture, as well, shows that those who cried out to the LORD for healing were healed, {Psalm 30:2}

GOD’S WORD AS THE DIVINE MEANS OF OLD TESTAMENT HEALING

The basic concept of the Old Testament believers is that healing comes from our LORD and GREAT GOD, who made the Heavens and the earth, as they also hold that sickness, as chastisement for sin, could equally come from HIM, where disobedience to HIS COMMANDMENTS becomes dominant, {Ex. 15:26}. However, no matter the cause or source of a malady, the prominent notion in the Old Testament time is that healing comes from GOD, and that the means of DIVINE HEALING is the WORD of GOD. Thus, the Scripture says, “HE sent HIS WORD, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” {Psalms 107:20}, which shows that the WORD of the LORD has a great delivering power that saves from sickness and from other things which threaten human existence and well-being. To this end, the Old Testament Scripture cites that:

(i)                    Hezekiah, the captain of the people was healed by the WORD of the LORD, {2 Kings 20:4-5}

(ii)                  Healing comes from the LORD, as people cry out to HIM for it, {Psalm 30:2}

(iii)                 The LORD forgives our iniquities, as well as heals all our diseases, {Psalm 103:2-3}

OLD TESTAMENT HEALING IS BASED ON OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD  

The Scripture, ... “if you will diligently listen to the VOICE of the LORD your GOD, and will do that which is right in HIS SIGHT, and will pay attention to HIS COMMANDMENTS, and keep all HIS statues, I will put none of these diseases upon you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I AM the LORD that heals you” {Ex. 15:26}, shows that healing in the Old Testament is based on obedience to the WORD of GOD. In this connection, this lesson stresses that, obedience to GOD’S WORD keeps one in the state of health of body and peace of mind, as the LORD always intervenes whenever sickness or disease attacks, since HE remains the absolute HEALER of the human race. Thus, if we serve the LORD our GOD, HE will bless our bread and water, and will take sickness away from us, {Ex. 23:25}. Notice, also, that the Old Testament Scripture shows that:

(i)                    ... “if one pays attention to HIS JUDGEMENTS, and keep, as well as do them, that the LORD our GOD will

 keep unto one the covenant and the mercy which HE swore unto our fathers, {Deut. 7:12}

(ii)                  HE will take away from one all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which one

knows, upon one, but will lay them upon those who hate one, {Vs. 15}

(iii)                 ... all who forsake the LORD shall be ashamed, ... but one who obeys and keeps HIS WORD shall always say,

“Heal me, and I will be healed, save me, and I will be saved...” {Jer. 17:13-14}

OLD TESTAMENT HEALING DEPENDS ON ONE’S OUTCRY TO GOD

The expression of the psalmist, “O LORD, my GOD, I cried unto YOU, and YOU healed me” {Psalm 30:2}, confirms the biblical truth that the Old Testament saints believed that GOD heals, as one cries out to HIM for healing, as Prophet Jeremiah portrays the LORD our GOD as the main source of healing, when he says, “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved...” {Jer. 17:14}, which also serves as a guide for people of all generations and nations who may wish to call upon the LORD for healing and for other things that work against humanity, as well as shows that the Old Testament believers had no doubt in them that GOD heals. In line with the above, it becomes scripturally obvious that the Old Testament believers;

(i)                    Cried out to the LORD our GOD for healing, {Psalms 30:2}.

(ii)                  Practically experienced GOD’S healing, {vs.  2}.

(iii)                 Believed that GOD heals as one calls upon HIM, {Jer. 17:14}.

In conclusion, please, observe that the Old Testament scriptures cited in this lesson definitely reveal the principles and means of DIVINE healing, which serve as GOD’S guide for people of all ages, who may desire to be healed by the LORD, as the rule remains obedience and faith on the WORD of GOD, and a hearty outcry to HIM for healing. YOU CAN BE HEALED TODAY!