Who is Jehovah-Rapha?

The name of Jehovah-Rapha appears in the book of Exodus.

Exodus 15:26 - And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

This incident happened early in their wilderness journey after leaving Egypt through the Red Sea. The Israelites had been wandering for three days in the Desert of Shur without water. They were being tested by God.

Exodus 15:22 - So Moses brought 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.

However their desert test became tougher. They reached a body of water but could not drink from it. Consequently they called this water Marah meaning ‘bitter’. Their souls were embittered as well so that they grumbled against Moses.

Exodus 15:24 - And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

Moses did what he was supposed to do, that is praying to the Lord.

Exodus 15:25 - And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

According to God’s instructions when Moses threw that tree into water; the water became fit for consumption.

Immediately after healing the waters of Marah, He identified Himself to them as Jehovah-Rapha. Saying "for I am the LORD that healeth thee." He does not only heal waters but he also heals human beings. Healing those bitter waters signified Gods’ ability to purify any form of impurity or uncleanliness. This power would be used by God while leading His chosen people; the Israelis across deserts towards Canaan.

Yahweh-Rapha gave His name as well as a promise: “I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians”. A reference to the ten plagues God had unleashed upon Egypt, including boils, death of animals, destructive hail, etc. Like many other Old Testament promises to Israel, this was conditional; for Gods’ chosen people were required to “diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes”.

Jehovah-Rapha has the power to heal physically.

2 Kings 5:10 - And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

Jehovah-Rapha has the power to heal emotionally.

Psalms 34:18 - The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Jehovah-Rapha has the power to heal mentally.

Daniel 4:34 - And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

Jehovah-Rapha has the power to heal spiritually.

Psalms 103:2-3 - Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Nothing can withstand the purifying, healing power of Jehovah-Rapha.

Jesus Christ also showed that He was the Great Physician who heals the sick. He went from town to town in Galilee healing others.

Matthew 4:23 - And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Matthew 19:2 - And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

Mark 6:56 - And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

Besides healing people physically, Jesus also healed them spiritually by forgiving their sins.

Luke 5:20 - And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

If you feel that your prayers are hindered, download my free eBook to find out what may be hindering your prayers: 17 Hinderances To Prayer.

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Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

- The Christian King