Study Number 14 JEHOVAh ROPHE – THE LORD WHO HEALS

Jesus not only heals physical sicknesses but also emotional wounds. We sometimes wonder why people act as they do. It is because they are broken hearted or wounded in their emotions by some trauma. We read about this in Luke 4:18-19

Luk 4:18  "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me; because of this He has anointed Me to proclaim the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and new sight to the blind, to set at liberty those having been crushed,

Luk 4:19  to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

And Isa 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as it were a hiding of faces from Him, He being despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Isa 53:4  Surely He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

For those who are grieving the loss of a loved one; then Jesus has carried our sorrows. He was a man of sorrows and He understands grief and loss. I have watched those in Tasmania speaking of at the burned out shell of what was once a home and they have nothing left. Nothing. The loss is tremendous but they can bring it to Jesus and He can heal them. They can start over again. A mother of a family of eight children said, “ At least we are all here. Our home is gone but we all escaped the blaze. You cannot bring back a life.”

Some have experienced the trauma of a marriage breakup and the scars of what has taken place because of betrayal. God can heal them.

Applications.

1.      Jesus is the healer of Broken hearts. Bring your brokenness to Jesus and let Him place his loving hands upon your life and bring healing and wholeness. Emotional healing.

2.      If you are mourning and don’t seem to be able to get over it then the LORD JEHOVAH ROPHE has carried your grief for you. You don’t need to carry it yourself. Believe Him that he understands and has borne your grief. He will bring the relief you need.

Study Number 13 JEHOVAH ROPHE – THE LORD WHO HEALS.

Exo 15:23  And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, because it was bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.

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

Exo 15:25  And he cried to Jehovah. And Jehovah showed him a tree. And when he had cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a decree and a law for them, and there He tested them.

Exo 15:26  And he said, If you will carefully listen to the voice of Jehovah your God, and will do that which is right in His sight, and will give ear to His commandments, and keep all His Laws, I will put none of these diseases upon you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am Jehovah who heals you.

In Exodus 3:14 when God spoke to Moses from the Burning Bush He was  “I am that I am”; meaning “Whatever you may need is exactly what I am”. Throughout the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites God met Moses needs in various ways and then Moses would add names to the Name JEHOVAH. So we have JEHOVAH ROPHE – The LORD who heals.

The Israelites had journeyed only three days and they were in the desert with no water. Why? Because He wanted them to know that he would provide for them in every way. No matter what you are going into, remember That God will provide for you and bring you out victorious – if you let Him.

I will put none of these diseases upon you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; v26b

Here were the conditions of receiving the this Blessing. “If you will carefully listen to the voice of Jehovah your God, and will do that which is right in His sight, and will give ear to His commandments, and keep all His Laws”.

“These things being attended to, then the promise of God was, that they should have none of the diseases of the Egyptians put on them; that they should be kept in a state of health of body and peace of mind; and if at any time they should be afflicted, on application to God the evil should be removed, because he was their healer or physician - I am the Lord that healeth thee.” A.C.

If we live according to the Word of God, meditating on the Word, feeding our souls upon it God will be JEHOVAH ROPHE to us. “ Egypt was full of diseases because they were full of Idolatry, but you won’t have these diseases if you obey My Word because I am the LORD YOUR HEALTH, Jehovah ROPHE.” M.H.

Applications

1.      What a wonderful promise this is for us. Our God is JEHOVAH ROPHE, the LORD who heals us.

2.      Obey His Word, listen attentively to His commandments and you will see that He is the Lord who heals and makes you whole.

3.      The children of Israel experienced this in the wilderness. God looked after them and supplied all that they needed. He will do the same for you as you travel through this life.

Study Number 12 JEHOVAH NISSI – THE LORD MY BANNER (cont)

Num 1:52  And the sons of Israel shall pitch their tents, each man by his own camp, and each man by his own banner, throughout their armies.

The flag or banner of the larger kind, serving for three tribes marching together. These standards, of which there were four, were worked with embroidery and beautifully ornamented (Num_1:52; Num_2:2, Eaton’s Bible Dictionary. When they camped they were well organised with three tribes under one banner on each side of the Tabernacle. The Banners were a rallying point so that they quickly knew where they belonged. The tribes were assembled in order and marched on order.

If we are to serve the Lord and live for Him we must be under His banner and know our place.

Israel Camped in the Wilderness

Song of Songs 2:4  He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love.

His banner over me - love - As the standard is the rallying-point and guide of the individual soldier, so the bride, transplanted from a lowly station to new scenes of unaccustomed splendour, finds support and safety in the known attachment of her beloved. His “love” is her “banner.” She knew He loved her and would care for her.

The Banner over us believers is Love[1]. cp Gen 29 :20 Jacob’s Love for Rachael. 2 Samuel 1 :26 Jonathan’s love for David.

1Jn 3:1  See what marvellous love the Father has bestowed upon us--that we should be called God's children: and that is what we are. For this reason the world does not recognize us--because it has not known Him. v2  Dear friends, we are now God's children, but what we are to be in the future has not yet been fully revealed. We know that if Christ reappears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. V.3  And every man who has this hope fixed on Him, purifies himself so as to be as pure as He is.

Applications

1.      Are you experiencing the amazing LOVE of GOD in your life right now. His love has be bestowed on us. J. Gill “the Father hath bestowed upon us: the Father of Christ, and the Father of us in Christ, who hath adopted us into his family, and regenerated us by his grace, and hath freely given us the new name”

2.      Soon we are going to be ushered into the banqueting hall of heaven to eat at the Marriage supper of the Lamb and his Banner over us will be LOVE. AS the Bride of Christ right now the Lord Jesus is preparing a place for us. ‘I has never seen nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man what god has prepared for them that love Him.’

Everything is now ready - The Banqueting Hall

---

[1] J. Gill and his banner over me was love; signifying, that she was brought into the banqueting house in a grand, stately, and majestic manner, with flying colours; the motto on which inscribed was "love"; the allusion may be to the names of generals being inscribed on the banners of their armies; so Vespasian's name was inscribed on the banners throughout his armies (u). Christ's name, inscribed on his, was "love", his church's love; and by which his company or band was distinguished from all others, even by electing, redeeming, calling love. It may signify the security and protection of the saints, while in the house of God, and enjoying communion with him, being under the banner of love, with which they are encompassed as a shield; and it may denote the very manifest and visible displays of it, which the church now experienced.

Study Number 11 JEHOVAH NISSI - THE LORD IS MY BANNER.

Troops march under a standard or banner similar to what happens when nations march at the Olympics.

Dressed as Roman Legionnaires under their standard

“It was over a great battle in the Old Testament that God revealed himself as Jehovah Nissi, THE LORD IS MY BANNER. It happened at the time when Israel was wandering in the wilderness after miraculously crossing the Red Sea. Amalek was the enemy who came against Israel in Rephidim. In Exodus 17:8-16 Moses called on his young apprentice, Joshua, to lead the Israelites into battle while he stationed himself on top of a hill to pray. He had with him his brother Aaron and his assistant, Hur. As Moses lifted his hands and prayed, the Israelites prevailed in the battle but when he let his hands down, Amalek prevailed. So Aaron and Hur set Moses on a rock and held his hands up for him until the battle was totally won.” Barbara Lardinais[1]

Exo 17:8  Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

Exo 17:9  And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to-morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.

Exo 17:10  So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Exo 17:11  And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Exo 17:12  But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; And his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. V.13  And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. V.14  And Jehovah said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. V.15  And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi;  v.16  And he said, Jehovah hath sworn: Jehovah will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Whatever  you have against you right now God can give you the victory. It may be temptation, or an addiction like drugs or alcohol, or even lust and evil relationships. God will give you the victory. You will triumph when you see yourself in Jesus. Without Him you can do nothing, but with Him, all things are possible.

Amalek was the first nation to come against the Israelites after they left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea. Amalek was Esau’s grandson. Gen 36:12. They were descendants of Isaac and they were a terrible enemy of Israel. They often would not attack Israel head on but would ambush the weak, the stragglers and the elderly. They were subtle, mean and cowards.

Deuteronomy 25:19 Therefore it shall be, when Jehovah thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget.

“Amalek in this story represents our enemy, Satan, who is active against God's people in all generations. Even though the literal "Amalek" at that time was completely defeated by Israel's army, other Amaleks would rise up against Israel and on down to you and me in our own generation. When you gather under Jehovah Nissi as your banner, trust him that the outcome of your battle will be the same as it was for Moses and Joshua at Rephidim. God is saying there will always be war; don't be surprised by it. He is also saying He is always the winner.” B. L.

London, UK - June 17, 2006: Queen's soldiers marching at Trooping the Colour ceremony, also known as the Queen's Birthday Parade

Applications

1.      What is your Battle right now? You need to get under the Banner of Jehovah Nissi He will give you the victory

2.      There is no enemy too great for Him. He will give you a victory which lasts. Know your enemy. Name it and call it for what it is. Then Trust under the Banner JEHOVAH NISSI.

---

[1] http://hannahscupboard.com/nissi.html

Study Number 10 JEHOVAH M’KADDESH The God who Sanctifies.

Lev 20:7  Sanctify[1] yourselves therefore and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

Lev 20:8  And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD who sanctify you.

To sanctify means commonly to make holy, that is, to separate from the world and consecrate to God.

Many Christian seem to lack real direction in their lives. They wander here and drift there not really on fire for God. The answer may be in this Name of God, Jehovah M’Kaddesh.

The Book of Leviticus speaks to a People who had already been redeemed. It spoke of the sanctification of Life that must follow one’s rescue from Sin and Satan by the power of the Blood of the Lamb. It sets forth the way which the Jewish Pilgrims were expected to live.

The direct context of Leviticus 20:1-6 shows how Jehovah M’Kaddesh expected the Israelites not to pass their children through the fire to the evil god Molech[2],and the turning to mediums and spiritists.

The verb to sanctify means “to consecrate, to dedicate, or to become holy. It shows Jehovah setting His people apart to walk in holiness, because He is their God. We are to be set apart in total dedication to Jehovah. JEHOVAH M’KADDESH is the Holy One Who demands holiness from His children.

Even today the Jewish people are set apart. When you think of the Jewish people then you think of their God. However in the past in the days of the Old Covenant they were even more so than they are today. They were a people set apart.

They had to sanctify themselves. God did not do all the sanctifying. Thus men must choose Holiness. Men, like Nebuchadnezzar, who have experienced the mighty power of God, revealing secrets and causing him to eat grass like an ox for seven years, but still refuse to serve God with all their hearts, are doomed. He learnt what God was like from Daniel and the Three Hebrews who refused to bow to his image.

1Th 5:23  And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Holy unto God

Why should Christians be set apart? Because Jehovah is set apart. If you truly belong to God then you shouldn’t live like others; you should be sanctified, set apart from the world, sin and the flesh, for God alone.

God wants us to be completely His; body, soul and spirit. Holiness is not a matter just of dress and outward things. It is the inner disposition of the heart.

1Pe 1:15  but like as He who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living;

1Pe 1:16  because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.

Applications

1.      When you are saved you need to realise that you are to be like God, set apart and holy.

2.      God has washed you from your sin, and set you apart for Himself.

3.      Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the Kings food. He ate beans and lentils instead and God blessed him and promoted him and his friends in Babylon. For those who are sold out for God he will honour.

---

[1] Thayer Sanctify: 2) to separate from profane things and dedicate to God

2a) consecrate things to God 2b) dedicate people to God

[2] In the Levitical ordinances delivered to the Israelites by Moses there are stern prohibitions of Molech-worship (Lev_18:21; Lev_20:2-5). Parallel to these prohibitions, although the name of the god is not mentioned, are those of the Deuteronomic Code where the abominations of the Canaanites are forbidden, and the burning of their sons and daughters in the fire (to Molech) is condemned as the climax of their wickedness (Deu_12:31; Deu_18:10-13). The references to Malcam, and to David's causing the inhabitants of Rabbath Ammon to pass through the brick kiln (2Sa_12:30, 2Sa_12:31), are not sufficiently clear to found upon, because of the uncertainty of the readings. Solomon, under the influence of his idolatrous wives, built high places for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom, the abomination of the children of Ammon. See CHEMOSH. Because of this apostasy it was intimated by the prophet Ahijah, that the kingdom was to be rent out of the hand of Solomon, and ten tribes given to Jeroboam (1Ki_11:31-33). These high places survived to the time of Josiah, who, among his other works of religious reformation, destroyed and defiled them, filling their places with the bones of men (2Ki_23:12-14). Molech-worship had evidently received a great impulse from Ahaz, who, like Ahab of Israel, was a supporter of foreign religions (2Ki_16:12 ff). He also “made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Yahweh cast out from before the children of Israel” (2Ki_16:3). His grandson Manasseh, so far from following in the footsteps of his father Hezekiah, who had made great reforms in the worship, reared altars for Baal, and besides other abominations which he practiced, made his son to pass through the fire (2Ki_21:6).

Study Number 9 JEHOVAH JIREH – THE ONE WHO MEETS YOUR NEEDS.

Jehovah is the revealing One who reveals His Ways to you. He is the eternal ‘I am’ who is changeless. He is the Holy One of Israel who judges sin. However He is the Redeemer who is full of mercy.

JEHOVAH JIREH  is the first of the compound Names of Jehovah to appear in the Old Testament. Here Jehovah meets Abraham’s need for a burnt offering.

Gen 22:1  And it came to pass after these things, that God did prove Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham; and he said, Here am I.

Gen 22:2  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

God was proving Abraham’s faith. He had walked with God for many years yet the Lord tried Him. We need to grow and move on in our faith and this is just what Abraham did. None of us has arrived and till our dying day we will be growing.

Gen 22:3  And Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

Gen 22:4  On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

Abraham had waited in faith for many years before Isaac was born. Now that he was there God was asking for a sacrifice. How did Abraham react to God’s instruction? He thought that if God can give me a son when I am 99 years old, He will make sure that His promise is kept. I am going to have descendants as the dust of the earth.

He did not collapse in disappointment but arose and took the lad, the wood, the fire, and the donkey with him. He saw that God was bigger than these circumstances. He obeyed to the last detail taking Isaac to Mount Moriah; (The Present temple Mount).

Here Abraham was making a Burnt Consecration Offering to the Lord which involved consecrating himself completely to God. There are times that we are to set aside to wholly commit ourselves to the Lord. Perhaps he is asking you to give your all to Him in Prayer and fasting, waiting on God or for witnessing or whatever He asks of you. Abraham gave to God what he loved Most of all.

Abraham did not focus on the problem but on the faithfulness of God. In Gen 26:4 God said.. “I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens....” He knew that Isaac was that promised seed and that God could raise him from the dead.

Hold to the promise of God and you will see God come through for you.

Gen 22:8  And Abraham said, God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son: so they went both of them together.

Gen 22:9  And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.

Gen 22:10  And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

Gen 22:11  And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

Gen 22:12  And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me.

Gen 22:13  And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

As you obey the Lord even though sometimes it seems illogical ten God will work a miracle of provision for you. You need hearing ears and seeing eyes so as he can work supernaturally for you.

After the ram had been offered as a burnt offering of consecration to God, Abraham looked at the place and called it Jehovah Jireh. That Name comes from the Hebrews " to see "

JEHOVAH JIREH “Which may be rendered either "the Lord hath seen", as the Septuagint, or "has provided", the future being put for the past, as Abendana observes, and so it is called, in answer to what Abraham had said, Gen_22:8; "God will provide": now he had provided, and, as a memorial of it, gives the place this name; or "he will see or provide" (m); as he has provided for me, so he will for all those that trust in him; as he has provided a ram in the room of Isaac, so He has provided, and will send His only Son in the fullness of time to be a sacrifice for the sins of His people: “ J. Gill

Application.

1.      Are you still growing in your faith? God will test you even in your old age.

2.      God is the One who sees our need even before we need it. Her makes provision for us. He provided the Lamb of God to take away our sin even before we knew it.

3.      Trust the Lord today. He sees and He will provide for all your need.

Study Number 8 ADONAI – Lord Master Owner (cont)

ADONAI is the God Who TOTALLY owns His people. He protects them, provides for them and directs them. He is the Master Whose Servants have chosen to serve Him because they love Him. M.H. They are Bond Slaves. Their ears are pierced with an awl on the door post before the elders to indicate their status is voluntarily chosen.

This is an Illustration of the Relationship between God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. He came to earth – by the Father’s Will – to redeem us. He never sinned, He always obeyed the Father’s Will.

In the garden of Gethsemane He prayed, “Luk 22:41  But He Himself withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed repeatedly, saying,

Luk 22:42  "Father, if it be Thy will, take this cup away from me; yet not my will but Thine be done!"

Luk 22:43  And there appeared to Him an angel from Heaven, strengthening Him;

Luk 22:44  while He--an agony of distress having come upon Him--prayed all the more with intense earnestness, and His sweat became like clots of blood dropping on the ground.

When Jesus said, “ Not My Will but Thine be done!” He was really saying,” I am more than His servant; I am a Bond Slave to do the Will of My Father. I am willing to suffer and die to bring redemption to mankind."  He said, “no matter what the cost I will perform Your Will, not Mine”.

 Read Philippians 2:5-8

Php 2:5  Let the same disposition be in you which was in Christ Jesus.

Php 2:6  Although from the beginning He had the nature of God He did not reckon His equality with God a treasure to be tightly grasped.

Php 2:7  Nay, He stripped Himself of His glory, and took on Him the nature of a bondservant[1] by becoming a man like other men.

Php 2:8  And being recognized as truly human, He humbled Himself and even stooped to die; yes, to die on a cross.

Jesus was the Bond Slave of the Father willing to go to the Cross, to suffer the ignominy, shame and disgrace for our Salvation.

Many people cringe at the thought of God having complete ownership over them. Most of them think that “I am my own person and I will do what I decide.” But you are not your own. Christ has purchased you with His own blood. It is only in becoming a bond servant of Jesus Christ that you will be truly free in Him. Otherwise you are a slave to selfishness, sin and the devil. M.H.

Applications.

1.      When you become a Christian you willingly come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He is now your Owner, Master and Lord.

2.      Willingness to carry your Cross after Jesus spiritually and be a bond slave of God is the only path to victory, wholeness and freedom.

---

[1] and took upon him the form of a servant; this also was voluntary; he "took upon him", was not obliged, or forced to be in the form of a servant; he appeared as one in human nature, and was really such; a servant to his Father, who chose, called, sent, upheld, and regarded him as a servant; and a very prudent, diligent, and faithful one he was unto him: and he was also a servant to his people, and ministered to men; partly by preaching the Gospel to them, and partly by working miracles, healing their diseases, and going about to do good, both to the bodies and souls of men; and chiefly by obtaining eternal redemption for his chosen ones, by being made sin and a curse for them; which though a very toilsome and laborious piece of service, yet as he cheerfully engaged in it, he diligently attended it, until he had finished it: so he was often prophesied of as a servant, in Isa_42:1   J.Gill