The name Jehovah-Rapha means “The Lord Who Heals” or “The Lord our Healer” in Hebrew. This name for God appears in Exodus 15:26, where God reveals Himself to the Israelites as the one who brought them out of Egypt and will heal them from the diseases inflicted on Egypt.
The background of this name comes after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and entered the desert of Shur. They traveled for three days but could not find water. When they did find water at Marah, it was too bitter to drink. The people grumbled against Moses, but he cried out to the Lord for help. God showed Moses a tree to throw into the waters to make them sweet (Exodus 15:22-25).
It is after this healing of the bitter waters that God reveals Himself to the Israelites as Jehovah-Rapha. He states, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer” (Exodus 15:26).
The statement “for I am the Lord, your healer” uses the Hebrew phrase “ani YHVH rophekha” which translates literally as “I am Yahweh, your healer.” Yahweh is God’s proper name, often translated as LORD or Jehovah. Rophekha means “your healer.” Thus, putting the two together gives us the name Jehovah-Rapha, “The LORD who heals you.”
This revelation of God’s character comes right after a healing miracle, showing that He truly is the God who heals. The following truths about God’s healing nature can be drawn from Exodus 15:26 and the name Jehovah-Rapha:
1. God has the power to heal
The fact that God healed the bitter waters demonstrates His power over sickness, disease, and suffering. He is able to transform that which is bitter and undrinkable into something clean, lifesaving, and refreshing. Similarly, God has the power to heal our bodies, minds, and spirits from the diseases and wounds caused by sin.
Physical healings throughout the Old and New Testaments reveal God’s ability to heal. Examples include healing Naaman from leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-14), healing Hezekiah from a terminal illness (2 Kings 20:1-11), and numerous healing miracles by Jesus, like giving sight to a man born blind (John 9:1-41). These displays of divine healing show nothing is too difficult for the Lord when it comes to curing diseases and repairing broken bodies.
2. God is willing to heal
Not only does God have the power to heal, but Exodus 15:26 also shows He is willing to heal His people. God chose to heal the bitter waters when the Israelites complained. He did not have to intervene, but He graciously desired their relief, health, and refreshment from the bitter waters. Similarly, God graciously chooses to heal His children out of compassion and care when we call out to Him.
In the New Testament, we see Jesus moved with compassion and willingly healing people of various infirmities out of that compassion (Matthew 14:14; 20:34; Mark 1:41). God’s willingness to heal continues to this day. When we pray for healing according to His will, we can have confidence in His compassion and willingness to heal and renew our bodies and lives (1 John 5:14-15).
3. God places conditions on healing
While God reveals His healing nature, He also places conditions on receiving that healing. In Exodus 15:26 God says, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you.” He promises to protect from diseases and heal from them when the people obey His voice and follow His commandments.
This shows some aspects of divine healing are conditional upon our obedience and relationship with God. We cannot take God’s healing for granted or treat it like an unconditional right. Even Jesus did not heal everyone without exception, but healed in accordance with the Father’s will (John 5:19). We must seek to walk uprightly, follow God’s principles for healthy living, obey His commands, and pray for healing according to His sovereign will.
4. God uses natural means of healing
One interesting detail about God healing the waters at Marah is His instruction to Moses to throw a tree into the water (Exodus 15:25). God did not just magically heal the waters but used natural means. This shows God’s healing power often works through ordinary substances and activities He created. Though supernatural healing does occur, God also uses medicine, nutrition, exercise, and other physical means to bring healing.
Throughout history God has used science and natural medicines to heal. Modern medicines ultimately come from substances God made. When we are sick, we can rightly seek medical treatment while also praying for God’s healing power through supernatural and natural means. God expects us to wisely steward our bodies, which includes pursuing health through the means He provides.
5. Complete healing will come ultimately through Christ
While God does grant degrees of divine healing now, we still live in a fallen world filled with sickness, disease, suffering, and brokenness. Our bodies and minds are still subject to the effects of sin until the resurrection. The ultimate fulfillment of healing will only come through Jesus Christ when He returns to establish His eternal kingdom.
Isaiah prophesied of this future healing: “He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken” (Isaiah 25:8). Revelation 21:4 also promises God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
While we experience partial healing now, the complete fulfillment will occur when Christ returns and makes all things new. We can have hope that sickness, suffering, and death will not have the final word. God promises eternal life and immortal bodies that will never suffer disease again.
How we should respond to God as Jehovah-Rapha
Since God reveals Himself as our Healer, here are some ways we can respond to Him as Jehovah-Rapha:
- Thank Him for times He has healed you spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically.
- Pray and ask Him to heal you or loved ones according to His will.
- Repent of any sins that could hinder healing, and seek to obey His principles of health.
- Trust that He works all things for your good, even when He chooses not to heal.
- Look forward to the future hope of perfect healing in Christ.
- Rely on His grace and strength to endure suffering while waiting for the resurrection.
- Ask Him to increase your faith and teach you truths from times of illness or suffering.
- Praise Him as the Great Physician who cares deeply for your soul and body.
God reveals His healing nature so we can find comfort and hope, even in the midst of illness or suffering. We can come to Him boldly as Jehovah-Rapha while also surrendering to His greater wisdom and purposes. The Lord uses both healing and suffering for our ultimate good and His glory. By responding properly to Him as Jehovah-Rapha, we find strength, growth, and renewed faith despite current pains or sickness.
Biblical examples of God as healer
Healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14)
Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Syria. He was a great man but suffered from leprosy. A young Israelite girl captured in one of Naaman’s raids told his wife about the prophet Elisha and God’s power to heal through him. Naaman went to Elisha’s house and followed his instructions to wash in the Jordan River seven times. Though initially angry at the command, Naaman was miraculously healed of his leprosy by following Elisha’s simple instruction. This shows God’s sovereign ability to heal anyone He chooses, including a commander of an opposing nation. It also displays God’s unexpected ways of bringing healing through simple obedience and acts of faith.
Hezekiah’s life extended (2 Kings 20:1-11)
Hezekiah was a righteous king of Judah, but God told him he would die from his illness. Hezekiah wept and prayed, remembering how he had been faithful to God. God heard his prayer and had mercy on him, sending Isaiah to tell Hezekiah he would be healed and live another 15 years. As a sign, God even made the shadow on a stairway go back ten steps. Hezekiah’s life demonstrates God’s compassion and willingness to heal those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. His healing was an act of divine mercy in response to earnest prayer.
Woman with issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48)
A woman who suffered from bleeding for 12 years spent all her money on physicians but only grew worse. She touched Jesus’ garment and was instantly healed from her discharge of blood. Jesus explained it was her faith that made her well. This woman illustrates that those who have persistent illnesses can come to Jesus by faith at any time and find healing in Him. Her story also shows that healing can occur in various ways, including simply touching Christ’s garment in belief.
Ten lepers cleansed (Luke 17:11-19)
Jesus cleansed ten lepers of their disease after telling them to show themselves to the priests. As they went, they found their leprosy disappeared. However, only one returned to glorify God and thank Jesus. Jesus wondered where the other nine were. He also affirmed the man’s faith in coming back to give thanks. This story reminds us that Jesus heals many out of compassion, but few remember to thank Him. We should have deep gratitude to God when He chooses to heal our bodies, not taking that grace for granted.
Jesus and the man born blind (John 9:1-41)
Jesus healed a man blind from birth by making clay with His saliva, putting it on the man’s eyes, and telling him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. When confronted over this miraculous healing on the Sabbath, Jesus said God’s works should be displayed in him. This perplexed the religious leaders. They could not refute the man’s testimony or explain his changed life. This profound healing shows God’s power over disabilities from birth and His desire to reveal His works through those healed by faith.
Key attributes of God revealed in healing
Here are some key attributes of God’s character revealed through His healing works:
- Compassion – God heals out of genuine compassion for people’s hurts and brokenness (Psalm 103:2-3; Matthew 14:14)
- Goodness – Healing displays God’s desire to graciously end suffering and restore wholeness (3 John 1:2)
- Sovereignty – He heals according to His divine will and purposes, not human demands (Job 42:2; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9)
- Wisdom – Even when choosing not to heal, God knows best what will ultimately lead to our good (Romans 11:33-34; Isaiah 55:8-9)
- Faithfulness – Despite suffering now, God’s promises of future healing can be fully trusted (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Revelation 21:4)
- Lovingkindness – God extends healing from His tender love and mercy, not what we deserve (Psalm 103:2-4)
Future hope for healing
Though healing does not always come in this age, Scripture gives us firm hope in the age to come. Here are some key promises about future healing:
- Sickness, disease, death will be no more (Revelation 21:4; 22:3)
- The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap (Isaiah 35:5-6)
- We will have new, immortal, imperishable bodies (1 Corinthians 15:53-54)
- No inhabitant will say “I am sick” as life spans are greatly increased (Isaiah 33:24)
- The brokenhearted will be healed and comforted forever (Isaiah 61:1-3)
- There will be no more pain, crying, mourning, or trauma (Revelation 21:4)
- The Tree of Life will provide continual healing (Revelation 22:2)
These are tremendous promises and a bright hope for all who endure illness now. We can take heart that God will heal all diseases, reverse every effect of sin and the Curse, and make us whole in His presence for eternity. What we suffer now is temporary compared to the glory of perfect healing to come (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Healing ultimately glorifies God
In the end, physical healing is not the supreme purpose. God’s ultimate purpose in all things, including healing, is to glorify Himself (1 Corinthians 10:31). Often it brings Him more glory for people to endure sickness with patient faith and endurance (John 9:3). Whether He grants healing or gives grace to persevere, the Lord uses our response to suffering to reveal His character and purposes.
We must remember that while healing is good, God does allow His saints to endure tremendous suffering. Hebrews 11 recounts men and women of faith who were tortured, mocked, imprisoned, and even killed for their testimony. Paul called his “thorn in the flesh” a “messenger of Satan” allowed by God to keep him humble (2 Corinthians 12:7). God is sovereign and sees a bigger picture we cannot fully understand now.
In every circumstance, we are called to trust the Lord’s wisdom, cast our cares on Him, look to eternal rewards, minister to others, be refined in faith, and glorify God by how we respond. The greatest divine purpose is not our present comfort, but His eternal glory. With Christ as our healer and sustainer, we can persevere through sufferings and trust God to heal us according to His divine purposes and timing.