Discussion Guide for Sunday, April 5, 2020

JEHOVAH RAPHA: THE LORD IS OUR HEALER

Series: Knowing God by Name: The Power of God’s Names

Big Idea

The past several weeks, we have learned about the names of God through the experiences of Abraham, but this week, Pastor Mickles introduced us to Abraham’s descendants – The Children of Israel. God raised up Moses to lead them out of Egyptian slavery into their long-awaited Promised Land. Exodus 14 close with this summary of events: “Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord…” God had delivered His people and destroyed His enemies. However, Exodus 15:22 tells us that “Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.” They did not know it, but God was setting the stage to introduce Israel to a new name.

After three days in the wilderness with no water, “they came to Marah” (Exodus 15:23), a small water basin about 8 feet in diameter and only 2 feet in depth. The waters were so mineral-rich, it went from just being salty to being bitter. The people’s initial response was to complain. Their frustration showed up in mumbling their bitterness and resentment for God under their breath. This was a demonstration of their lack of trust in God. Moses, on the other hand, cried out to God, and God responded with a cure. God’s cure was two-fold: He would heal them emotional by giving His commandments, and their obedience to His commandments would lead to their physical healing (Exodus 15:26). To demonstrate this, God had Moses to throw a tree into the waters, and “the waters became sweet” (Exodus 15:25). God announces a new name for Himself – I, the Lord, am your Healer (Jehovah Rapha).

Discussion Questions

• Have you ever found yourself in a frustrating situation? Did you complain? Why?
• Recall the last time you cried out to God for direction. Did He give you direction? Instruction? A promise? How did things work out?

Prayer Focus

I bow before you today, O Lord, to acknowledge that You are the Lord who heals me. Heal me today – body, soul, and spirit. Make whatever is bitter in my life sweet by the finished work of Calvary’s tree. Transform my life to the end that you will be glorified in me.

Next Steps

We can find a reason to complain about anything. Take this challenge – every time you’re tempted to complain, turn your complaint into a prayer request. 1 Peter 5:7 says that you should be “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” If it’s enough to complain about, it’s enough to cry out to God about.

Want to Get Ahead?

Read and meditate on Exodus 17:8-16 in your devotional time this week.