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 and 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 Manasseh 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 a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, BALM, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt." (Genesis 37:25, NKJV and emphasis throughout) "Is there no BALM in GILEAD, is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people?" (Jeremiah 8:22) "Go up to Gilead and take BALM, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt; In vain you will use many medicines; You shall not be cured." (Jeremiah 46:11) Another reference used in healing prayer includes: "So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." " (Matthew 17:20) |
