CATEGORY: RELIGION
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By L. St. Cyr

‘If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in HIS sight, give ear to HIS commands and keep all HIS statutes, I will put none of these diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD that healeth you.’ (Ex.15:26)

Ancient medical knowledge was limited not only by the absence of scientific method but also by much superstitious beliefs. Disease was often blamed on the presence of evil spirits, who could only be vanquished by magical potions and incantations.

Egyptian scrolls dating back to about 1550 B.C. list medical remedies, which made use of ingredients such as lizard’s blood, swine’s teeth and even human excreta in some cases.

Rather than relying on a witch’s brew to heal them, the Israelites were to obey God’s commands some of which contained instructions, which foreshadow modern medical discoveries.

In the Old Testament people were to wash their bodies and their clothes if they came in contact with a disease, a bodily discharge or a corpse. This hardly sounds like a big deal unless you realize that as recently as 150 years ago, it was considered ridiculous for a surgeon to wash his hands prior to surgery. The Israelites also practiced isolation and quarantine and followed dietary laws that prevented the spread of disease.

One of the ways God has lived up to the name Yahweh- Rophe, is by providing instructions that prevent people from becoming ill in the first place. Some scholars suggest that had it not been for the Israelites adherence to dietary and sanitary laws they would not have survived the various diseases that wiped out many other ancient peoples.

In the same manner, the moral law, as embodied in the 10 commandments, offered similar protection. Those who disregarded it suffered spiritual diseases that could in turn lead to physical diseases.

Interestingly, despite modern medical technology, many cures still elude us. If you or someone you know is suffering from a spiritual or physical malady, call upon Yahweh-Rophe today and seek HIS face diligently “for HE is the LORD that heals thee.”

Today if you hear HIS voice do not harden your heart.



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