Last week, we looked into the name Jehovah Rohi (The Lord is my Shepherd). In honor of completing my final (Lord-willingly) treatment for thyroid cancer, I’d like to cover the name Jehovah Rapha, or the Lord who heals.
What Does Jehovah Rapha Mean?
Jehovah, or Yahweh, is translated from Hebrew to mean God (a personal name for God in the Bible) or Lord. Rapha is translated from Hebrew as “to restore or to heal.” So, Jehovah Rapha means “God who heals, or the Lord who heals.”
Where does Jehovah Rapha Appear in the Bible?
The first we see the name Jehovah Rapha in the Bible is in Exodus 15, soon after the Israelites left Egypt. The Israelites travelled from the Red Sea through the desert (the Desert of Shur) for three days. Can you guess what one may need the most when wandering through a hot, barren desert? Of course, water.
So the Israelites came upon a river. Good news, right? Not so fast, the waters were “bitter,” meaning that they were unfit to drink (likely due to contamination). Have you ever needed something really badly in your life…and then discovered the answer to all of your problems, only for that solution to not work out? We all encounter disappointments in our most desperate moments. However, God is still in control.
Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord led him to a piece of wood that would cleanse the waters. When Moses threw the wood into the water, the water became pure. The people were then able to partake in the water that they urgently needed.
“He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”” (Exodus 15:26).
The Lord revealed Himself as Jehovah (Yahweh) Rapha, the Lord who heals. He provided the Israelites with one of their most primary needs (fresh water). He also assured the Israelites that He would protect them from all of the plagues that they recently observed in Egypt. The Lord continued to provide for the Israelites all of those forty years in the desert. God taught His people that when they have a need, including a need for healing, that He is the One to call upon.
The name, Jehovah (Yahweh) Rapha appears again several times throughout the Bible. Not only does Jehovah Rapha refer to the Lord who heals physically, but also emotionally and spiritually:
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’” (Jeremiah 30:17).
“The Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3).
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:2-3).
Jesus came to Earth for several reasons, one of which was to heal! The prophecies regarding the Messiah throughout Isaiah refer to His many healings (Isaiah 29:18, 35:5-6, 61:1-2). It is no surprise that a primary part of Jesus’ time in ministry involved healings. “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Luke 7:21-22). The gospels recount details of 26 separate healings and allude to countless more. Learn more about why Jesus chose to heal using saliva a few times.
What Does Jehovah Rapha mean to Us?
Throughout this thyroid cancer journey, the verse “Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14) has comforted me so much. My takeaway from this verse, is that it all really is in God’s hands. If God intends for my healing, all the sickness in the world means nothing. God is sovereign, omnipotent, and wants good things for me. As Jesus came to Earth to heal (Luke 7:21-22), I know that healing is in His very nature. I can take refuge in the shadow of His wings, knowing that whatever is best for me, whether that is healing or not, will take place.
Of course, we must take the necessary steps. God did many, many miracles throughout the Bible, and He often required the participation of His people. He delivered Jericho to Joshua, but still required that the men march around the wall and blow the shofars. They could never have accomplished this task on their own. But God also didn’t just snap His fingers and give them the city while they sat back and watched. Can He heal with no medical intervention? Absolutely. Does it normally happen that way—I’m not sure. Especially if He’s already provided the means to healing. So, I’ve been attending my surgeries and radiation, knowing that it is all ultimately in the Great Physician’s hands (Mark 2:17) .
My scans are now all clear. I believe that God has healed me. I thank God so much for the blessings that He has given me through this journey—health insurance, brilliant doctors, talented surgeons, and an innovative technology that targets thyroid cancer cells.
We live in a fallen world. Until Jesus comes back, we will have trouble (John 16:33). So, sickness comes sometimes. One important lesson that I’ve learned from cancer is that, for a miracle, you first need a problem! I wouldn’t have learned to trust the Lord in this way if I never experienced this problem. Physical sickness is a unique problem that requires you to look a little closer at mortality. I think this was helpful as a young adult, so that I can respond maturely to real-life issues that almost every human will deal with at some point.
I can tell you that God has been with me every step of the way. He comforts like no other. He grants me peace. The experience brought me closer to family, friends, and even acquaintances. I know that the next time I face a similar problem, or a loved one faces a medical problem…whatever the next giant may be, that I can look to Jehovah Rapha, my Healer, for help. If He heals me, I will be healed. And if He saves me, then I will be saved (Jeremiah 14:17).
If you are currently battling thyroid cancer, another illness, or would like prayer for any other type of healing, please feel free to send me an email. My email is located at the bottom of this page. I would love to pray for you or chat if you have any questions! God bless!
If you are enjoyed reading Jehovah Rapha, The Lord who heals, check out the posts on El Elyon (God Most High) and Jehovah Jireh (The Lord will provide).
