Rophe appears over 70 times in the Old Testament, it always means: to restore, to heal, to cure, not only in the physical sense but in the moral and spiritual sense also.

    B. Historical Significance

ACTION: Read Ex. 15:22-26

         1. Israel has just crossed the Red Sea and was singing a song of  triumph. But it also tells of the first seeds of discontent
             by the children of  Israel.

QUESTION: What happened 3 days after crossing the river?

         2. Three days after crossing the Red Sea they ran out of water and were thirsty.  They came to Marah, the water was
             tainted and they could not drink it. It was  bitter.

QUESTION: How did they react? How should they have reacted?

         3. They had forgotten the might and  mercy of God and complained bitterly  to Moses.

QUESTION: What did God tell Moses to do?

         4. God showed Moses a certain tree that he was to throw into the water and it made the bitter water sweet, drinkable.
             They drank and were happy again. Their murmurs had turned into praise for their confidence in Jehovah and His
             servant Moses.

QUESTION: What was the promise God made to the people?

         5. 'I will put none  of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for  I am  Jehovah that healeth
             thee"

QUESTION: What was the condition God set for His promise?

         6.  'If thou wilt diligently harken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight.

    C. Theological Significance     Man's need for healing.

QUESTION:  What does this name of God imply?

         1. Since all these events are to be used as examples for us, it can be said that the first lesson we learn from this name is
             that humanity is in need of a healing, of  a physician, even in the physical sense. The OT is full of examples of how
             God's power is shown to heal the bodies of men. Sometimes even using natural  means.

         2. God has used sickness and disease on earth as  an instrument of judging sin. (1 Chron. 21:12-14) talks about King
             David and God dealing with sin in his life.

         3. Jehovah is the healer of the OT. God along has the remedy to heal  man.  Num. 12:1 Moses cried out for God to heal
             Miriam PS. 103:2,3  talks about how God forgives sin and heals disease. OT is full of references of God's healing.

         4. Man's spiritual healing is even more needed in the moral and spiritual realm.

ACTION: Read  Isa. 1:5,6

           Uses the physical to describe the moral and spiritual lives of  the children of Israel.

ACTION: Read  Jer. 17:9

            Talks about the heart of man being desperately sick.

         5. There is a fundamental disease that separates us from God..

QUESTION:  What is it?

          Sin. It is like the waters of Marah... bitter and death to those who drink it. We are in need of  a physician. God provided a miracle by providing a tree that would  turn the  bitter  waters sweet. He will and has provided Jesus, the Great  Physician, to  turn out bitter  lives of sin into the  sweet waters of eternal life.

QUESTION: See the significance of this name in relation to the historical event?

          The tree cast into the waters of Marah may be taken as a symbol of the cross of Jesus Christ, which in turn symbolizes God's ultimate healing power. The cross  stands for the healing relationship God has with man.

    D. Personal Application
         1. This is the second of the compound names of Jehovah.  There is a progressive revelation in the  relationship of Jehovah
             with His people. It shows Jehovah  meeting  every  need as it arises with His people. Including their need for healing.
            Not only for the people of the Old  Testament but for those of  us today. Paul says that they were examples  for us.

ACTION:  Read   1 Cor. 10:6 and 10:11

         2. Jehovah-Rophe heals two ways.
                 -Preventative Medicine.  Ex. 15:26 . " I will put none of these diseases upon thee "

QUESTION: What makes this preventative?

           If the Israelites followed Him and did as He commanded he  would keep them from the plagues that He inflicted upon the Egyptians. The condition was " If thou will diligently harken to the voice of the LORD thy God." Today many Christians have enjoyed the results of  Jehovah-Rophe's preventative medicine by simply living self-controlled lives. They don't smoke, drink or take drugs , which are proven to be harmful to their health.

               -Corrective Medicine. Just as He healed the bitter waters of Marah, he can heal our diseases. Within a few years of this promise, Miriam, Mose's sister was healed of leprosy. Num. 12:11-16 Today Jehovah-Rophe still heals-- physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.

QUESTION: What then is the promise in the name Jehovah Rophe?

 Healing for the disease of Sin. (Salvation)
 Healing for our broken and tired hearts. (Emotional Healing)
 Healing for our broken and diseased physical lives. (Physical Healing)
 Healing for our weary spirits. (Spiritual Healing)

QUESTION: What is our responsibility in relationship to this name?

 Trust and obey God.