A HEALING BALM

1. A Healing Balm

a) The Bible records that in ancient times there came from Gilead, beyond the Jordan, a substance used to heal and soothe. It came, perhaps, from a tree or shrub, and was a major commodity of trade in the ancient world. It was known as the Balm of Gilead. That name became symbolic for the power to soothe and heal.

b) Balm of Gilead was a rare perfume used medicinally, that was mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, and named for the region of Gilead, where it was produced.

c) A healing balm was used as a medicinal solution in ancient times, which was probably administered by a medicine man or wise woman in a village to help cure many types of ailments.

d) We encounter three instances of the balm of Gilead mentioned in the Bible.

e) Genesis 37:25 describes a caravan carrying balm on their way to Egypt, as they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.

f) When Jeremiah, in Jeremiah 8, hears about how Babylon will lay siege to Israel, Jeremiah weeps and asks if there is a balm in Gilead.

Jeremiah 8:21-22

Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? 

g) Once again, in Jeremiah 46:11. God tells the Israelites to get a balm in Gilead, because they’ve wounded themselves beyond repair. He doesn’t literally mean get a physical balm to fix your problems. But they would’ve understood the imagery. No doubt, Gilead contained a balm of herbs and spices that served as a healing ointment.

h) There is more in the balm to heal than there is in guilt to wound; for there is more in grace to save than there is in sin to destroy.” If we know Jesus, we're going to heaven because his grace is far greater than our sin. His blood is the balm that heals the deepest wounds of sin.

i) If you are sick, let the healing balm of Jesus touch and heal you.

Isaiah 53:5

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes, we are healed.