COVENANT AND HEALING

Genesis 6:18 (NKJ) – But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark–you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.

I. Various Covenants in the Bible

1. The Adamic Covenant (Gen. 3:16-19);

2. The Noahic Covenant (noted in Gen. 6:18);

3. The Mosaic (Sinaitic) Covenant (Ex. 19:5);

4. The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chr. 17:11-14; 2 Chr. 6:16);

5. The Messianic Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34); and

6. The Abrahamic Covenant, which we shall consider next.

II. What is a Covenant?

Genesis 17:7 (NKJ) – And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.

Covenant beriyth (ber-eth) or berit (beh-reet); Strong’s #1285: A covenant, compact, pledge, treaty, agreement. This is one of the most theologically important words in the Bible, appearing more than 250 times in the OT. A beriyth or berit may be made between individuals, between a king and his people, or by God with His people. Here God’s irrevocable pledge is that He will be God to Abraham and his descendants forever. The greatest provision of the Abrahamic covenant, this is the foundation stone of Israel’s eternal relationship to God, a truth affirmed to David (2 Sam. 7:24), by the Lord Himself (Jer. 33:24-26), and to Paul (rom. 9:4; 11:2, 29). All other Bible promises are based on this one. – “Word Wealth” from the Spirit Filled Life Bible

(1) a covenant, so called from the idea of cutting, since it was the custom in making solemn covenants to pass between divided parts of victims… [“But the idea suggested by Lee…deserves attention, viz. that … is strictly nothing more than an eating together, banquet…since Orientals, to eat together is almost the same as to make a covenant of friendship. The Hebrews too were accustomed to eat together when entering into a covenant, see Gen. 31:54; and in this way we obtain an explanation of…covenant (an eating?)…] It is used of a covenant between nations, Josh. 9:6, seq.; between individuals and friends, 1 Sa. 18:3; 23:18; of a marriage covenant, Mal. 2:14; Gen. 14:13, and Obad. 7, those joined by league to anyone.

(2) In other places it is the condition of this covenant, namely–(a) the promise of God, Isa. 59:21; and very often – (b) the precepts of God which Israel had to keep, i.e. the divine law… Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon

III. God’s Covenant Names

God in covenant with the ancestors of Abraham revealed Himself in ways revealing that He as their COVENANT PARTNER would meet their needs in any number of ways:

1. Jehovah-Jireh or -Yireh – the Lord Who provides – Gen. 22:4;

2. Jehovah-Nissi – the Lord our Banner – Ex. 17:15;

3. Jehovah-Roi – the Lord our Shepherd – Psalm 23:1;

4. Jehovah-Tsidkenu – the Lord Our Righteousness – Jer. 23:6;

5. Jehovah-Shammah – the Lord Who is Present – Ez. 48:35;

6. Jehovah-Shalom – the Lord our or is Peace – Judges 6:24;

Related to healing Jehovah-Shalom (Yehavah shalowm: yeh-ho-va sha-lom) becomes quite interesting as we delve into the many meanings of shalom or shalowm, which in our English Bibles we see as peace.

Malachi 2:3-5 (NKJ) – 3 “Behold, I will rebuke your descendants and spread refuse on your faces, the refuse of your solemn feasts; and one will take you away with it. 4 Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant with Levi may continue, says the Lord of hosts. 5 “My covenant was with him, one of life and peace, and I give them to him that he might fear Me…”

Peace, shalom or shalowm (sha-loam or sha-lom); Strong’s 7965: (1) of body, healthy, sound – Gesenius Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon; Completenesss, WHOLENESS, peace, HEALTH, welfare, safety, SOUNDNESS, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony – “Word Wealth” from the Spirit Filled Life Bible

And then we come to the final name we shall consider, one relating directly to healing.

7. Jehovah-Rapha – the Lord our Healer – Ex. 15:26.

Exodus 15:26 (NKJ) – For I am the Lord heals you.

Heals, rapha’ (rah-phah or ra-fa); Strong’s #7495: To cure, heal, repair, mend, restore health. Its participial form rophe’, “one who heals,” is the Hebrew word for doctor. The main idea of the verb rapha’ is physical healing. Some have tried to explain away the biblical teaching of divine healing, but all can see that this verse speaks of physical diseases and their divine cure. The first mention of rapha’ in the Bible (Gen. 20:17) refers unquestionably to the cure of a physical condition, as do references to healing from leprosy and boils (Lev. 13:18; 14:3). Scripture affirms “I am Yahweh your Physician.” – “Word Wealth” from the Spirit Filled Life Bible

IV. The New (Messianic) Covenant

Jeremiah 31:31-33 (NKJ) – 31 Behold the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah – 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts: and I will be their God and they shall be My people.

The old covenant was written in stone, but the new covenant, which is made possible by faith in Christ, is written on our hearts.

Hebrews 8:6 (NKJ) – But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Better, kreitton (kra’t-ton); Strong’s 2909: more excellent – Thayer’s

Promises, epaggelia (ep-an-ge-le-a); Strong’s #1860: It is used also of the divine promises of blessing, esp. of the benefits of salvation by Christ – Thayer’s

V. Salvation Under the New Covenant

Acts 4:12 (NKJ) – Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Salvation, soteria (so-ta-re-a); Strong’s #4991: Deliverance, preservation, soundness, prosperity, happiness, rescue, general well-being. The word is used in both a material, temporal sense and in a spiritual, eternal sense. – “Word Wealth” from the New Spirit Filled Life Bible

Saved, sozo (so-zo); Strong’s #4982: To save, HEAL, CURE, preserve, keep safe and sound, rescue from danger or destruction, deliver. Sozo saves from physical death by healing and from spiritual death by forgiving sin and its effects. – “Word Wealth” from the New Spirit Filled Life Bible; I. to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction A. one (from injury or peril) i. to save from suffering (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to MAKE WELL, HEAL, RESTORE TO HEALTH – Thayer’s

Acts 28:28 (NKJ) – Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.

Salvation, soterion, (so-tay-ree-on); Strong’s #4992: Rescue, deliverance, safety, liberation, release, preservation, and the general word for Christian salvation. (Compare “soteriology.”) Soterion only occurs five times. Soteria, the generic word, occurs forty-five times. It is an all-inclusive word signifying forgiveness, HEALING, prosperity, deliverance, safety, rescue, liberation, and restoration. Christ’s salvation is total in scope for the total man: spirit, soul, and body. – “Word Wealth” from the New Spirit Filled Life Bible

VI. Prophecy Related to Healing and the New Covenant

Divine Healing: Is.53 clearly teaches bodily healing is included in the atoning work of Christ, His suffering and His cross. The Hebrew word for “griefs” and “sorrows” (v. 4) specifically mean physical affliction. This is verified in the fact that Matt. 8:17 says this Is. text is being exemplarily fulfilled in Jesus’ healing people of human sickness and other physical need.

Further, that the words “borne” and “carried” refer to Jesus’ atoning work on the Cross is made clear by the fact that they are the same words used to describe Christ’s bearing our sins (see v. 11; also 1 Pet. 2:24). These texts unequivocally link the grounds of provision both for our salvation and our healing to the atoning work of Calvary. Neither

is automatically appropriated however, for each provision – a soul’s eternal salvation or a person temporal, physical healing – must be received by faith. Christ’s work on the Cross makes each possible: simple faith receives each as we choose.

Incidentally, a few contend that Isaiah’s prophecy about sickness was fulfilled completely by the same day healings described in Matt. 8:17. A close look, however, will show that the word “fulfill” often applies to action that extends throughout the whole church age. (See Is. 42:1-4; Matt. 12:14-17). “Kingdom Dynamics” from the New Spirit Filled Life Bible

Isaiah 53:4-5 (NKJ) – 4 Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses) and carried our sorrows (pains). Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded (pierced through) for our transgressions, He was bruised (crushed) for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes (blows that cut) we are healed.

Matthew 8:16-17 (NKJ) – 16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.”

Healed, therapeuo (the-ra-pyu-o); Strong’s #2323: to heal, cure, restore to health – Thayer’s

1 Peter 2:24 (NKJ) – who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.

You were healed, iaomai (e-a-o-mi); Strong’s #2390: I. to cure, heal II. To make whole A. to free from errors and sins, to bring about one’s salvation – Thayer’s

Hebrews 8:6 (NKJ) – But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Better, kreitton (kra’t-ton); Strong’s 2909: more excellent – Thayer’s

Promises, epaggelia (ep-an-ge-le-a); Strong’s #1860: It is used also of the divine promises of blessing, esp. of the benefits of salvation by Christ – Thayer’s

Clearly, God’s promises or blessings via the New Covenant do not pale in comparison to those under the Old Covenant. Yet, those promises or blessings must be accessed via faith.

VII. By Graced We are Saved through Faith

John 1:17 (NKJ) – For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Grace, charis (kha-res); Strong’s #5485: in that through pity for sinful men Christ left his state of blessedness with God in heaven, and voluntarily underwent hardships and miseries of human life, and by his sufferings and death procured salvation for mankind – Thayer’s

Ephesians 2:8 (NKJ) – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Grace, charis (kha-res); Strong’s #5485: III. what is due to grace A. the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of grace B. the token or proof of grace, benefit i. a gift of grace ii. benefit, bounty – Thayer’s

Saved, sozo (so-zo); Strong’s #4982: To save, HEAL, CURE, preserve, keep safe and sound, rescue from danger or destruction, deliver. Sozo saves from physical death by healing and from spiritual death by forgiving sin and its effects. – “Word Wealth” from the New Spirit Filled Life Bible; I. to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction A. one (from injury or peril) i. to save from suffering (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to MAKE WELL, HEAL, RESTORE TO HEALTH – Thayer’s

Faith, pistis (pis-tis) or (pe-stes); Strong’s #4102: Conviction, confidence, trust, belief, reliance, trustworthiness, and persuasion. In the NT setting pistis is the divinely implanted principle of inward confidence, assurance, trust and reliance in God and all that He says. – “Word Wealth” from the New Spirit Filled Life Bible

VIII. The Example and Source of Our Faith

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJ) – 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…

Author, archegos (ar-kha-go’s); Strong’s #747: one that takes the lead in anything… and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter; the author – Thayer’s

Finisher, teleiotes (te-la-o-ta’s); Strong’s #5051: a perfecter… one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith – Thayer’s

… We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. – NLT

… keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith… HCSB

Romans 10:17 (NKJ) – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

… So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing, the Good News about Christ. – NLT

… Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ. – NET

IX. Acting by Faith Upon His Promises of Healing

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJ) - … and by His stripes (wounds that cut) we are healed.

Matthew 8:17 (NKJ) - … saying “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.”

1 Peter 2:24 (NKJ) - … by whose stripes you were healed.

Salvation, soteria (so-ta-re-a); Strong’s #4991: Soteria… is an all-inclusive word signifying forgiveness, HEALING, prosperity, deliverance, safety, rescue, liberation, and restoration. Christ’s salvation is total in scope for the total man: spirit, soul, and body. – “Word Wealth” from the New Spirit Filled Life Bible

Christ has already paid for our sicknesses via the stripes He took for us. Healing is one of the blessings of the salvation that He purchased for us. We must receive those blessings by faith.

Mark 11:24 (NKJ) – Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Romans 4:16-21 (NKJ) – 16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

X. Healings After Christ’s Resurrection in Acts

A. Healing of the Lame Man at the Gate Beautiful

Acts 3:1-9 (NKJ) – 1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them–walking, leaping, and praising God.

Keys to his healing:

Verse 5 – Focus

Verse 6 – Authority

His response:

Walking = the healed man’s testimony

Leaping = the healed man’s ecstatic response

Praising = the healed man’s thankfulness

B. Multitudes Coming to Jerusalem

Acts 5:16 (NKJ) – Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Sick, asthenēs (ä-sthe-nā's); Strong’s 772: of the body, feeble, sick – Thayer’s

Healed, therapeuō (the-rä-pyü'-ō); Strong’s #2323: to heal, cure, restore to health – Thayer’s

C. Many Paralyzed and Lame Were Healed

Acts 8:7 (NKJ) – For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed (therapeuō).

Crying, boaō (bo-ä'-ō); Strong’s #994: to raise a cry: of pain – Thayer’s

D. Had Faith to be Healed

Acts 14:9-10 (NKJ) – 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.

Observing him intently, atenizō (ä-te-nē'-zō); Strong’s #816: to fix the eyes on, gaze upon – Thayer’s

Seeing, eidō (ā'-dō); Strong’s #1492: univ. to perceive, notice, discern, discover – Thayer’s

Faith, pistis (pis-tis) or (pe-stes); Strong’s #4102: Conviction, confidence, trust, belief, reliance, trustworthiness, and persuasion. In the NT setting pistis is the divinely implanted principle of inward confidence, assurance, trust and reliance in God and all that He says. – “Word Wealth” from the New Spirit Filled Life Bible

Healed, sozo (sō'-zō); Strong’s #4982: to make well, heal, restore to health – Thayer’s

E. The Father of Publius and Others on the Island of Malta

Acts 28:8-9 (NKJ) – 8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 So when this was done the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

Sick of, synechō (sün-e'-khō); Strong’s #4912: to constrain, oppress, of ills laying hold of one and distressing him; pass; to be holden with i.q. afflicted with, suffering from – Thayer’s

Fever, pyretos (pü-re-to's); Strong’s #4446: fever – Thayer’s: fever – Thayer’s

Dysentery, dysenteria (dü-sen-te-rē'-a); Strong’s #1420: dysentery, bowl ailment – Thayer’s

Healed, iaomai (ē-ä'-o-mī); Strong’s #2390: to heal, cure – Thayer’s

Diseases, astheneia (ä-sthe'-nā-ä); Strong’s #769: feebleness of health; sickness – Thayer’s

Healed, iaomai (ē-ä'-o-mī); Strong’s #2390: to heal, cure – Thayer’s