The Balm of Gilead

“Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?”- Jeremiah 8:22. Perhaps you have heard of the phrase Balm of Gilead. In our first year at MICO Teachers’ College there was a compulsory course called Use of English. Our lecturer, Miss Bryan always referenced the phrase “balm of Gilead” on the eve of examinations. I was aware that the phrase had Biblical reference; however, beyond that basic knowledge I was clueless. Recently, I learnt that Gilead was actually a real place in the Bible. Since my college years I have heard the phrase “balm in Gilead” numerous times, however, it was only a few weeks ago I did some research and discovered the background. There are three instances in which the phrase “balm of Gilead is mentioned in the Bible. It is first mentioned in Genesis 37:25 which describes a caravan with balm on its 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.” The second mention of the term is used in Jeremiah 8:21-22. Here the prophet Jeremiah laments about how Babylon will lay siege to Israel. Jeremiah weeps and asks if there is a balm in Gilead. “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?” Jeremiah asks, “God is there any way you can heal us?” The Balm of Gilead has a deeper symbolic purpose in Scripture. God revealed to Israel that the Balm of Gilead was only a temporary healing solution, but Israel had far deeper spiritual cuts that needed ultimate healing. The Israelites had consulted other nations, other gods, and other methods to heal their sin problem. As children of God we must realize that the true physician is Jesus. The mention of the Balm of Gilead phrase is also from Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 46:11, the prophet also mentioned “balm of Gilead, “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.” Biblical studies states that great states are ordinarily in Scripture called virgins, for their beauty and pleasant state. Undoubtedly, Egypt was a great state having conquered many around her. Gilead was a most famous place for balm. The prophet ironically calls to the Egyptians to go to Gilead for balm, but tells them it would be to no purpose, God was about to wound them beyond all help of medicines. What is the Balm of Gilead? A balm is an aromatic, medicinal substance derived from plants. Gilead was an area east of the Jordan River, well known for its spices and ointments. The "Balm of Gilead", was therefore a high-quality ointment with healing properties. The balm was made from resin taken from a flowering plant in the Middle East, although the exact species is unknown. It was also called the “balsam of Mecca.” Myrrh is taken from a similar plant the Commiphora myrrha. My colleague Donna shared her understanding of the Balm of Gilead. “During the final years of the Kingdom of Judah, Jeremiah asked is there no balm in Gilead? (Jeremiah 8:22). Today, many suffer from a deeper sickness (sin). She added Jesus Christ is the only balm than can heal our sin. Only Jesus can make us whole. There is a Balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. Donna argues that spiritual balm through priests and prophets were ineffective as stated in Jeremiah 5:31. Despite the conditions we find ourselves in, Jesus can heal our wounds and make us whole. My colleague Elaine shared her understanding and appreciation for the Balm of Gilead. As we look at scriptures in the bible regarding the balm in Gilead, It is realized that it was mainly used for medicinal purposes. Also, it was limited in its use as it was applicable for healing the physical body. In addition, this useful commodity was not prevalent and was very costly so in the case of persons acquiring aid from it to save their lives limitations was a hindrance. Jesus Christ the Balm of our Spirit, Soul, and Body Elaine added, the very God of peace sanctifies you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5: 23. From scripture, it is clearly seen that man is made up of three parts namely: Spirit, soul and body. Spirit – The spirit in us is eternal, it is what connects us to God Romans 1 v 9 & St. John 4v24. Soul – The soul is who we are. The soul has housed the emotions, feelings, personality and so forth. St. Matthew 16: 26; Luke 9:25. Body – The body refers to the physical which sometimes called the flesh. Also, the body contains the five senses. Romans 8: vs. 11 & 13. Jehovah God who has created man in his own image is concerned with the ‘Total Man’. Jesus Christ who is our ‘Balm’ of Spirit, Soul and Body has made it possible for man (human being) to be liberated from all sicknesses/diseases and the curse of sin by dying on the cross. St. John 3; 16-17. Luke 17: 11-17. The shedding of Jesus’ blood is a testament for every infirmity and situations which affects the spirit, soul, and body; therefore, there are no limitations/ boundaries or impossibilities that the blood of Jesus cannot remedy, unlike the medicinal Balm in Gilead which had various limitations. More than all, it could not cure man’s sin, Elaine concluded. However, there are many children of God who for years have been suffering; they have prayed, the elders of their church have prayed, other Christians have interceded on their behalf yet they continue to be inflicted by ill-health or by less than desirable circumstances. What do we tell those who are waiting, who have been waiting for years, sometimes decades for God’s healing hands to touch them? It can be argued that this waiting period for the true Balm of Gilead opens the door to other forms of healing. There are obviously alternatives to the true Balm of Gilead and for centuries humanity has consulted these avenues for help. In this age of modernity many have turned to sex, illicit drugs, pornography, gambling to soothe away their pain. Unfortunately, even among the body of Christ many have turned to other sources in searching of the healing Balm of Gilead. Witch of Endor Do you remember in 1 Samuels 28 when Saul, King of Israel consulted a witch? When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor,” they said. So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.” But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?” Saul swore to her by the LORD, “As surely as the LORD lives, you will not be punished for this.” Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” “Bring up Samuel,” he said. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” Voodoo One such practice is that of Voodoo. The word ‘Voodoo’ comes from the West African Fon people from southern Benin, and it means ‘spiritual entity’. Voodoo is a spiritual expression that combines traditional religion with animism and spiritism in addition to joining indigenous African people together. Voodoo is an oral tradition without a primary holy text or prayer book. For many in the West, Voodoo invokes images of animal sacrifices, magical dolls and chanted spells. But Voodoo as practiced in Haiti and by the black Diaspora in the United States, South America and Africa is a religion based on ancestral spirits and patron saints. Known as “Vodou” in Haiti, the religion has also served as a form of resistance against the French colonial empire. Donna asks the question; “in what area of your life do you need the healing balm of Jesus Christ today? The balm has a deeper symbolic purpose. God shows Israel through imagery that they would turn to a temporary healing solution like many of us today. Do you only require the physical wounds to be healed when there is a deeper spiritual cut that needs ultimate healing? The Transformative Power of the Balm of Gilead Once you have experienced the spiritual impact of the Balm of Gilead your life will be transformed forever. The transformative power of the Balm of Gilead has been restoring humanity for centuries. Christ paid the ultimate sacrifices for our sins on Calvary’s cross and as a result we have been assured that our sins will be forgiven if only we turn away from our sins and ask our Heavenly Father for His forgiveness. Unlike the medieval plant of the Balm of Gilead which has been monetized and commercialized; the true Balm of Gilead remains untainted and is free for all humanity. Everyone needs Jesus! The temporary solution such as what Saul sought never lasts. We are however required to exhibit dedication and patience in seeking the true Balm of Gilead. The Bible uses the term “balm of Gilead” metaphorically as an example of something with healing or soothing properties. Among the numerous names by which Jesus is known is Jehovah Rapha. Rapha means "to restore", "to heal" or "to make healthful" in Hebrew. When the two words are combined; Jehovah Rapha the translation is "Jehovah Who Heals”. The ultimate Balm of Gilead is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In the words of Isaiah 53:5, but He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo ©