Elohim/Jehovah-Rapha
by: Pastor Sam
by: Pastor Sam
Intro: one of the first things you and I ever learn about one another is our first names.
Therefore, I ask -- Does God have a first name?
Probably not, or at least not like we have; but He does have a name that was used first in the written Word.
Probably not, or at least not like we have; but He does have a name that was used first in the written Word.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning "God" created the heavens and the earth.
1. The Hebrew word God here is the beautiful word -- Elohim.
2. In fact, Elohim is the primary name for God throughout the Old Testament.
I. Just how important are these names of our God to us today? Well, let's look at some scriptures and see if we can answer that question.
1. Proverbs 18:10 (NASB) The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
2. In the Lord's Prayer
a. John 17:3 (NASB) This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent
3. Philippians 3:10 (NASB) that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
This, my friends, is most important
A. Knowing your God should mean everything to you. In fact, knowing our God truly is:
1. The difference between victory or defeat.
2. The difference between rest or constant turmoil.
3. The difference between an abundant life and a life of barren emptiness.
4. The difference between deliverance or captivity.
5. The difference of finding a refuge or living as a fugitive.
6. It's the difference between eternal life or eternal death.
7. The fact of the matter is, it's the difference between Heaven or Hell.
The promise of God is revealed to us in:
A. II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Notice what David tells us in:
A. Psalm 20:7 (NASB) Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.
1. What does it mean to "boast in the name of the Lord?"
2. It means to:
a. Have confidence in
b. To trust in His names
c. To know His names -- is to know Him.
d. To have a settled confidence in Him as your God.
B. All of us have our times of trials and temptations, and at times, days of trouble. But notice what the Psalmist tells us in:
1. Psalm 50:15 (NASB) Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.
I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.
II. How can the name Elohim serve as a strong tower in the lives we live today?
A. Just ask yourself these questions:
1. Have you ever struggled with your self image?
2. Have you ever wept over the Spiritual condition of your family?
3. Have you or one of your family members ever resented who you or they are in the struggles of life?
4. How about your own reflection in your mirror, or your own physical limitations.
THEN
Elohim truly is there proving to you that He is your strong tower.
Remember: Without Elohim as your own personal strong tower, none of these other names of God will have any menaing to you.
NOW:
Jehovah-Rapha
The Lord who heals.
I. Jeremiah 8:22 (NASB) Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people been restored?
A. Gilead was a city known for its healing ointment.
1. It was a healing balm that had both medicinal and cosmetic properties.
1. It was a healing balm that had both medicinal and cosmetic properties.
2. But Jeremiah knew that his nation needed more than a topical salve, more than a bandaid.
3. His nation's wounds reached all the way down into their very souls.
4. These people were critically ill because of their personal sins.
5. Jeremiah knew there was only one who could heal his people. He knew there was only one who could bring back health and beauty to his sin-sick nation.
6. But the question was, would they turn to Him?
II. From the time of the Israelite's journey through the wilderness until now, God has always been the Lord who heals.
A. Exodus 15:22-26 (NASB) 22 Then Moses led 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. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24 So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 Then he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them. 26 And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.”
1. Think about the day you were saved.
a. On that very day you received the greatest healing that has ever taken place in your life.
b. Look at these notations in Exodus 15:25 And the Lord showed Moses a tree.
(1) Genesis 2:9 in the center of the garden of Eden there was -- the tree of life.
(2) Revelation 2:7 -- we shall eat of the tree of life.
III. On March 10, 1968 in our bedroom, I discovered who Jehovah-Rapha was.
A. At first, I only knew Him as Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord.
B. But, as I studied His written Word, I soon learned He truly is Jehovah/Rapha.
1. There in that bedroom I found the one and only Balm of Gilead.
2. He was and still is the healer of our sin-sick souls.
3. He truly is the Great Physician.
4. His name, Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord Jesus Christ, the true Prince of Peace.
a. Galatians 3:13-14 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
b. I Peter 2:24-25 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
C. My dear friends there is but one physician who can heal all the illnesses of our souls. 1. Therefore, we only need to look to the Lord our God and trust in His most awesome name.
a. Isaiah 50:10 (NASB) Who is among you that fears the Lord,
That obeys the voice of His servant,
That walks in darkness and has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
That obeys the voice of His servant,
That walks in darkness and has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
IV. There is nothing wrong in seeking out other doctors.
A. But, I also believe we are to bow before our own Jehovah-Rapha, and as we do so, many times He may lead us to use other:
1. Doctors
2. Hospitals
3. Medicines
4. And counselors as His instruments of healing.
B. Yet, all these other instruments are powerless without our Great Physician's power.
1. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
In closing: All of us need to realize that sin affects our spirit.
a. Psalm 38:18 (NASB) For I confess my iniquity;
I am full of anxiety because of my sin.
I am full of anxiety because of my sin.
One of our daily prayers ought to be drawn from:
a. Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB) 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
Let me ask you tonight these questions:
Are you in distress?
Are you troubles?
Are you weary?
Are you trying to make it on your own?
Then why not right now run to Elohim who is your strong tower and seek the healing that is found in Jehovah-Rapha who truly is the Lord who heals you.
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