Health in the Bible.
In the KJV “Health” has 17 verses, “Healing” has 14 verses.
Heal and healed has many more.
The very first reference of all these words is in Genesis 20:17 for healed. It was for Abimelech who took Sarah (Abraham’s wife) to become his wife, God cursed them but when Sarah was restored then God healed them.
The meaning of Rapa, the Hebrew word used, is to mend, to cure, heal, cause to heal, physician, repair thoroughly, make whole.
So what is health? Everyone wants to be healthy and has a gauge of how healthy they feel. It is often how little pain they have in their body or that they can eat whatever they want without problems throughout the day.
The perfect healthy body would have all systems working exactly as they were made to function. Perfect health does not exist in a fallen sinful world but we can do our best to restore health closer to what our bodies should be.
How do we do that? Well in the natural way; we would be physically active, and eating/being as closer to nature as when Adam and Eve walked the earth. Can you do it on your own? You can get only so far without the supernatural health and healing of the Lord.
The absolute answer is trusting the Lord with your health. That He has a purpose for your lack of health or exceeding health. There is nothing impossible for the Lord.
Lets look at verses that discuss health and healing.
“Health” Is first mentioned in Genesis 43:28
Joseph asks his brothers how is his father Jacob. Interestingly “health” “welfare” “well” are used in verses 27-28.
Here the Hebrew word is Shalom, Meaning peace and wholeness.
In Psalms 42:11 and 43:5 It says God is the health of my countenance. What does that mean?
countenance is your face, how you are seen. When people see your face they judge how you are feeling. In the worse of times God gives you reasons to smile, unending Joy!
One of my father’s favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust the Lord with all your health” it goes on in the next few verses to say acknowledge the Lord, Be not wise in your own eyes, Fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
What comes from doing these things?
Verse 8 says it shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones. The navel is your center of being and the marrow in your bones is essential for your health, it is also richness of health in your life.
These verses can be a conditional promise from the Lord. If you do this, you will get that. That means it is applicable, test it with God! He Fulfills His Word!
I can’t say I am in perfect health but my God is sustaining me in these harmful unhealthy places these past 7 years and I remember saying to the Lord “I fear you more than this system” and chose to follow His will for my life.
Proverbs 4:20-22 says words of wisdom are health to the flesh when followed/attended.
Isaiah 58:8
Besides Christ in the Gospels talking on fasting, Isaiah 58 speaks on fasting and it is very important. God here says what a fast shouldn’t be and what it should be. Verses 6-7 says it is to loose the bands of wickedness, undo burdens, break yokes, and free the oppressed.
Verse 7 is more for others, taking action. Feed the hungry, house the poor, clothe the naked. Care for your loved ones.
If all these things happen, great blessings come forth. Here is what it says
Isaiah 58:8
“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall by thy reward”
See how it says health but all the blessings include spiritual healing. I think the physical healing is a byproduct.
Jeremiah 8:14-15 and 22
Speaks on the opposite. They have sinned against God and can’t find healing.
Jeremiah 30:10-18
Speaks on God restoring Israel and destroying the enemies but after they had to go through so much, only to cry out to God in the end. Verse 17 says God will restore their health and heal their wounds. Spiritual and physical healing are connected.
Here is Jordan’s latest newslet
Verse 33:6 of Jeremiah
God will bring health and cure His people.
In Acts 27:31-38
Paul is on a ship that have been ravaged by a storm. Not knowing what to do they fasted for 14 days. God had said none will die. On the 14th day they were told to eat for their health. They are and they were all of good cheer.
Finally in the third letter of Jon verse 2 he says
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”
There are many more instances of heal, healed, cured etc..
But the main take away seems to me is that there are ways we can actively restore our bodies to better health but unless we have spiritual health we will not experience the fullness of life Jesus has given us.
My father likes to joke about the verse in 1st Timothy 4:8 where “physical exercise profiteth little” to not workout haha.
Reading the whole verse, Godliness profits in all things so much that you can’t compare it. But still you do get profit from exercise.
To sum up
Fasting for the right causes Isaiah 58
Eating Good acts 27:31-38
Exercise 1st Timothy 4:8
these will profit the physical and the spiritual.
But
Proverbs 3:5-8, Psalms 42:11 and 43:5
Proverbs 4:20-22 Jeremiah 8, 30, 33
Is the spiritual healing that brings physical health through God alone.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
A quick update, I have been told I am packing out to go to a camp (lower security prison) closer to home. Where that is only God knows but I will trust in Him.
When I first got here to Fort Dix the case manager said I would never go to a camp. I didn’t argue but I know I thought to myself “Only God can decide that” With God all things are possible. Whatever is the next step I pray it is His will.
Thank you for all your support, thank you everyone who has given a gift and helped provide for our families. God bless you
Jordan, A son of God Almighty!
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