“He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the voice of 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).
Here it is half way through January—two weeks into the new year and I’ve spent several days with the winter crud—otherwise known as respiratory problems. I skipped the doctor’s office and used Tylenol, cough syrup, inhalers, and oh, yes, warm salt water gargles. I don’t know if I recovered quicker or not, but I heard that medical facilities were pretty busy with people sick with the flu. I thought I had enough germs without going for more. Thankfully, I’m feeling better. I think lots of naps are good medicine, too.
Last year I read through the Bible using a chronological Bible. I had done that before and enjoyed seeing how the parts of the Bible fit together chronologically. It gives one a different perspective especially when reading through the historical events. This year I decided to read through the books in their listed order. As you can see I’m up to the wilderness wanderings in Exodus 15.
Moses and Miriam, his sister, have led the people in a song of celebration after crossing the Red Sea and witnessing the destruction of Pharaoh’s army. Three days later the people are crying because they need fresh water to drink. Moses cries out to God who shows him a piece of wood to throw into the bitter water to make it sweet. I wonder why God chose to use a piece of wood. He could have just miraculously changed the water with a word or had Moses touch it with his staff, but He didn’t. He showed Moses the piece of wood. Was that wood special? The Bible doesn’t tell us anything about what kind of wood it was so we’re left wondering.
After God gave the people good water to drink He gave them a law saying that if they obeyed His commands He wouldn’t bring on them any of the diseases of the Egyptians. He said, “I am the Lord, who heals you.” I’m not suggesting that we won’t get diseases and sicknesses if we obey God. What I am suggesting is that God has given us ways to deal with them. Just as Moses was shown the piece of wood, God has given knowledge to scientists and doctors to develop technologies, skills and medicines to help us. I’m a big believer in natural and pure medicines not what the politically entangled pharmaceuticals want us to use. Sometimes it is hard to know who to trust with our health and I don’t have an answer for that. I do know I have to trust God. He doesn’t promise to take away our illnesses. He doesn’t even promise that we’ll recover from all illnesses (on this earth), but He promises to be with us through whatever comes our way.
“. . . pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5: 16b).
Thanks for this post. Wasn’t it interesting that when God identified that piece of wood to be thrown into the water, Moses pitched the wood into the water? Obedience, again…not endless questions or trying to figure out the whys and why-nots.
I am with you on the natural treatments vs chemical. In the same way I know God’s way is the only way to receive life everlasting. He will always meet our needs. God just wants us to be obedient and trust Him enough to let Him do what is best for us.