The Balm Comes to Gilead

Jeremiah 8:18-22

In the 32nd chapter of Numbers, the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh, chose to take for their inheritance the land on the wilderness side of the Jordan, while God has promised the land on the other side to all 12 tribes. These tribes represent world-bordering Christians; not lost, but certainly not free.

The land that they take encompasses the land of Gilead (Numbers 32:1), which was known the world over for its balm. The balm was a turpentine-like resin that secreted from a tree grown only in Gilead. The resin held medicinal purposes and was worth twice its weight in silver. You recall that Joseph was sold into slavery in Genesis 37, and that it was traders from Gilead who bought him. They were no doubt carrying this balm to sell to the merchants in Egypt.

Jeremiah is speaking of the oppressive nations just outside of Israel, and of the spiritual sickness that prevails in the land. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” speaks of the fact that no neighboring ally has come to the aid of Israel, and since armies cannot march in the winter and the summer is past, that means that no one is coming.

In this sorry state, he asks about the balm of Gilead. No physical balm can cure the ills of Israel, and no physician can take away her pain. It is going to take a medicine of a spiritual nature, and the hand of a Great Physician to eliminate Israel’s problems. Thank God that Physician was coming!

When Jesus journeys across the Sea of Galilee in Mark 5, He stops in the land of the Gadarenes. This land is home to the descendants of the tribe of Gad, who had co-inhabited with the Gentiles of the land of Gilead for centuries. The resultant peoples were idol worshippers, who sacrificed pigs to their many gods. A man lives there who has been dwelling in the grave yards, cutting himself, possessed with many demons. It is for this man that Jesus has arrived.

You know the story, how Christ delivers the man, and casts the demons into the swine. These pigs run into the sea and drown, destroying the entire sacrificial flock of the Gadarenes. One man is excited to be free while a nation is outraged at Jesus. The balm has finally arrived in Gilead, healing one, and causing a burning sensation in those who reject its powers.

Jesus is the balm of Gilead and He is ready to mend your sin-sick soul. If you do not know Him, all that you must do is believe Him as your savior and He will enter your heart, pouring His balm into the areas that need healing. If you are a child of God, the Great Physician is living in you, ready to bring His health and wholeness into every area of your life. Allow Him to mend your mind, your emotions, your hopes and your body. You are His child, even if you are bordering close to the world. He loves you and wants to bring His power into your life.

Go in the power of the balm today. Freely Christ gives His power. Freely you can receive.

The Balm Comes to Gilead

Jeremiah 8:18-22

In the 32nd chapter of Numbers, the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh, chose to take for their inheritance the land on the wilderness side of the Jordan, while God has promised the land on the other side to all 12 tribes. These tribes represent world-bordering Christians; not lost, but certainly not free.

The land that they take encompasses the land of Gilead (Numbers 32:1), which was known the world over for its balm. The balm was a turpentine-like resin that secreted from a tree grown only in Gilead. The resin held medicinal purposes and was worth twice its weight in silver. You recall that Joseph was sold into slavery in Genesis 37, and that it was traders from Gilead who bought him. They were no doubt carrying this balm to sell to the merchants in Egypt.

Jeremiah is speaking of the oppressive nations just outside of Israel, and of the spiritual sickness that prevails in the land. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” speaks of the fact that no neighboring ally has come to the aid of Israel, and since armies cannot march in the winter and the summer is past, that means that no one is coming.

In this sorry state, he asks about the balm of Gilead. No physical balm can cure the ills of Israel, and no physician can take away her pain. It is going to take a medicine of a spiritual nature, and the hand of a Great Physician to eliminate Israel’s problems. Thank God that Physician was coming!

When Jesus journeys across the Sea of Galilee in Mark 5, He stops in the land of the Gadarenes. This land is home to the descendants of the tribe of Gad, who had co-inhabited with the Gentiles of the land of Gilead for centuries. The resultant peoples were idol worshippers, who sacrificed pigs to their many gods. A man lives there who has been dwelling in the grave yards, cutting himself, possessed with many demons. It is for this man that Jesus has arrived.

You know the story, how Christ delivers the man, and casts the demons into the swine. These pigs run into the sea and drown, destroying the entire sacrificial flock of the Gadarenes. One man is excited to be free while a nation is outraged at Jesus. The balm has finally arrived in Gilead, healing one, and causing a burning sensation in those who reject its powers.

Jesus is the balm of Gilead and He is ready to mend your sin-sick soul. If you do not know Him, all that you must do is believe Him as your savior and He will enter your heart, pouring His balm into the areas that need healing. If you are a child of God, the Great Physician is living in you, ready to bring His health and wholeness into every area of your life. Allow Him to mend your mind, your emotions, your hopes and your body. You are His child, even if you are bordering close to the world. He loves you and wants to bring His power into your life.

Go in the power of the balm today. Freely Christ gives His power. Freely you can receive.

Jesus: The Power to Get Wealth

Deuteronomy 8:17, 18

An undeniable, and beautiful part of God’s goodness is “the power to get wealth”. In Paul’s great description of the gospel of grace, he says that the gospel is the “power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). The Greek word used for “salvation” includes all deliverance, preservation, safety and wholeness. When you enter into a relationship with Christ, it is no more by your own power, but by the power of Jesus Christ.

Notice that God is not emphasizing the wealth, but rather, within context, He shows Israel that their inevitable blessings did not come at their own hand. They will see their herds and flocks multiply, and their silver and gold as well (verse 12), but it will be God that does all of the providing.

For you, the blood-bought, covenant child of God, the blessings of heaven are just as inevitable. As a son, you have all rights to the shoe, the ring and the best robe that your Father has to offer (see Luke 15 for the story of the Prodigal). It is always Him that gives the increase and then gets the glory. Not because He is a glory hog, but it is so that all of your blessings will reaffirm covenant, “that he may establish his covenant” (verse 18).

Christ’s work at Calvary has entered you into a better covenant, with a whole new set of better promises. Jesus has taken the wrath of the Father against sin and thus you have righteousness imputed to you. Walk free today in this provision, knowing that it is your Father’s good pleasure to give to you the kingdom and that every blessing that He affords is His way of reminding you of His covenant of grace.

May you see covenant blessings all around you today, paid for in the abundant grace of God.