Balm of Gilead: Calling on the Great Physician

"He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds"

Psalm 147:3

Emotional wounds are like physical wounds: both need to be treated to promote healing and to prevent infection. In the ancient world, there was an area east of the Jordon River called Gilead, which is present-day Jordan. Gilead was known for a medicinal compound used for the healing of wounds called “The Balm of Gilead.” The Prophet Jeremiah was the first to reference this balm in the Bible but not for the treatment of physical wounds, but instead, for spiritual ones. 

Jeremiah 8:20-22 says, “The harvest is past, the summer has ended and the gathering of fruit is over, But we are not saved,” [comes the voice of the people again]. For the brokenness of the daughter of my people, I  (Jeremiah) am broken; I mourn, anxiety has gripped me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?” In this passage, Jeremiah is crying out over the consequence of the sins of his people and the brokenness among them. Without repentance, there would be no healing and saving from the Lord. Any outward attempt to save themselves would prove to be futile. Jeremiah 46:11 continues, “Go up to Gilead and obtain [healing] balm, O Virgin Daughter of Egypt! In vain you use many medicines; For you, there is no healing or remedy.”

So it stands the same today, it is futile to think we can save and heal ourselves, but there is a physician on call. Matthews 9:12 states, “But when Jesus heard this, He said, ‘Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but [only] those who are sick.’” There is only one balm to heal the sin-nature and the wounds of the soul. The prophet Isaiah spoke of Jesus as the Messiah to come in Isaiah 53:5: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed” (Cf. 1 Peter 2:24).

In the atonement of the blood of Christ, we are saved, healed, and delivered or sozo as translated in Greek, both in this life and the one to come (eternity). Therefore, if you are in need of this balm to heal, would you call on the Great Physician and allow Him to apply His ointment that wholly heals? Would you behold Him and remain, not drawing back because of the initial pain, so you can go from one greater measure of glory to another, becoming more and more like Him as you heal (see 2 Corinthians 3:18)? 

Is there a balm in Gilead? Yes, and when applied as directed, it will heal the broken heart and bind up all wounds. Psalm 147:3 declares, “He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and  comforting their sorrow].”

-Catrina Volz