|
Q. I often hear the term "balm of gilead" used when someone needs to be healed. What is the "big picture" on this? (Submitted by: Vicki) A. There's really no big picture in this. People generally have their own references when it comes to healing prayer. The balm of Gilead is one of them. The region of Gilead was noted for its balm, a secretion of the balsam tree. The territory where the balm came from, an area North of the Salt Sea in the land of Israel, was originally given by God to Manessah as an inheritance when the children of Israel entered the promised land. The balm was used in various healing mixtures, and was sold to many countries, especially Egypt: "And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry [it] down to Egypt. " (Genesis 37:25) "[Is there] no balm in Gilead; [is there] no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" (Jeremiah 8:22) "Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; [for] thou shalt not be cured." (Jeremiah 46:11) Another reference used in healing prayer includes: "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. " (Matthew 17:20)
Answer Given By: Les Turvey |
