Yahweh Rophe – Yahweh Heals

ByCarolyn E. Jacobs

Oh Yahweh, my Elohim, I cried out to you for help, and you healed me. – Psalm 30:2 (Names of God version)

Can I admit something? I’ve been dreading this week. Because our God is Yahweh Rophe. He heals. But He doesn’t always do it on our timetable or to our liking. And that’s okay. Because He’s God, and I’m not.

So if this name makes you uncomfortable, bear with me.

Yahweh first reveals Himself as Healer in Exodus 15:26.

He said, “If you will listen carefully to Yahweh your Elohim and do what he considers right, if you pay attention to his commands and obey all his laws, I will never make you suffer any of the diseases I made the Egyptians suffer, because I am Yahweh Ropheka.” Exodus 15:26 (Names of God version)

Can our God heal? Yes. Does He heal? Yes. Does He always answer our prayers for healing, “Yes?” No.

He is not a cosmic vending machine, dispensing healing when we put our prayer in the slot. How many times have you heard, “By His stripes we are healed,” used as some divine Abracadabra? (That word has Jewish roots, by the way. Check this out.) We can’t manipulate Him. We can’t choose our favorite promise verses the way we would choose our favorite Skittles flavors, savoring the orange and tossing the grape, and expect Him to do our bidding.

Let’s look a little closer at Exodus 15:26. “If” is used twice. His promise is in this instance is conditional. The Israelites won’t suffer the diseases He gave the Egyptians IF they listen carefully  and obey His commandments.

Does this mean that all our diseases are due to disobedience or a lack of faith? No, that’s absurd. Sometimes we suffer the consequences of sin or our fallen world, and sometimes God has something else in mind for us.

We’ve all prayed for someone to be healed in this life, and God said, “No.” Does that mean He lied about being Yahweh Rophe? Of course not.

He loves us, and He can be trusted. Even when His answer is no or not yet.

In my next post, I’ll share a personal story of Yahweh Rophe. Till then, know this.

He is the Rophe of the brokenhearted.
    He is the one who bandages their wounds. – Psalm 147:3 (Names of God version)

This blog series follows order of the names in Ann Spangler’s wonderful study.

 

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