BALM OF GILEAD – A MALADY OF ZEDEKIAH REBELLION

Text: Jer. 8:22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Introduction:

There has been widespread confusion over the years as to the correct answer to a very famous question in scripture, namely, the question posed by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 8:22: Is there no balm in Gilead?

Despite far-reaching misinterpretation of the matter, the correct answer to this question is actually NO; THERE IS NO BALM IN GILEAD.

Fruitless efforts of wicked men:

Jer. 46:11. Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured. Jer. 51:8-9 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed; howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so she may be healed. Job 13:3-4 surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. 4 But ye are forgers of lies, we are all physicians of no value.

 

FOUR MAJOR LESSONS

(1)    Jer. 8:6 “What have I done?” Never question God or charge God foolishly rather ask of God, Lord, what wouldest thou have me to do? This is the only condition for mercy.

(2)    Not until judgments actually overtake them will men for the most part humble themselves under the hand of God. But then it will be too late. When God is against us, who can avail for us? Jer. 8:12-17

(3)    True ministers and Christians, while denouncing to the impenitent God’s coming judgments, will do so, not as if the doom of others gave them pleasure, but with heartfelt sorrow and tears, as Jeremiah wept for his doomed country Jer. 8:18,21; and as Paul spoke of the enemies of Christ “weeping” Phil 3:18

(4)    It is not that there is no spiritual balm-no physician for the soul- if men perish eternally. It is that they will not come, that they have life. There is a balm of sovereign efficacy for healing the most desperate physical and spiritual wounds; it is the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, which cleanseth from all sin 1 john 1:7. He is the Good Physician, and is as able as He is willing “to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession” Heb. 7:25.