Dear Rabbi, Blessings.
I have been struggling with health issues; both spiritually and
physically. The L-RD keeps bringing me back to Isaiah Chapter 58 and
then to Psalm 46:10.
After looking at this particular scripture, I was drawn to research the
word “still”. It is the Hebrew word Rapha. I saw more to this word
“still” than just being stationary; I saw what being still would bring–health, Because Adonai is our Healer. I know that Our Abba Father has many insights to His
Scriptures and I believe He was sharing this one with me. My question is what is your deeper understanding of this word still in this passage. I am deeply
appreciative of your time and commitment to answering questions. I will be praying.
May YHVH Elohim comfort you and heal you of physical and spiritual struggles. Your attitude as expressed in your e-mail is conducive of G-d’s intervention. Michael, may I say that you are partially correct in your analyses of “rapha” for the root of the word means to be “made whole.” Just being “still” is not adequate for this word “rapha” for it implies like the word “Shema” [hear] means to not only to passively hear, but to “hear, internalize, and to act upon.” Likewise, “rapha” requires action. The question is how? Obviously, YHVH Elohim’s Torah defines for us what being whole means. It is following YHVH’s standards as set forth for us in His Torah (instructions) and to act upon them and apply them to our lives wholly not selecting what we will follow or dismiss.
To have a deeper understanding of this word please read the following: Derivatives of this word are “remedy,” [1. something, as a medicine, that cures or relieves a disease or bodily disorder. 2. something that corrects or removes an evil, error, or undesirable condition 3. to cure or relieve. 4. to restore to the proper condition; put right: to remedy a matter. 5. to counteract or remove: to remedy an evil] Ezekiel 30:21, (G-d will not “heal” Pharaoh and he shall do evil) Jer, 30:13; “healing,” Prov. 3:7-8; and “healing” and “health” Jer. 8:14-15 and Prov. 4:20-22 respectively. In the latter you see that G-d qualifies what will bring about healing.
“Rapha” occurs initially in Gen 20:17 where G-d heals Abimelech because of Abraham’s prayer. The root is also used in human healing as of a physician (Gen. 50:2) “rapa” and is used for the healing and forgiveness of Gentile nations (Isa. 19:22; 57:18) Read these verses also where the word is applied: (1 Samuel 6:3, “then you shall be healed,” (Deuteronomy 28:27), “of which you cannot be healed.”
The themes of healing and restoration as connotations of “rapa” are combined in the usage of Isaiah 53:5, “With his stripes we are healed.” The majority of these citations indicate that it is G-d who causes the healing or afflicts with disease or catastrophes, which cannot be healed, but by divine intervention.
My you find grace in G-d’s Will. I pray that the above will help you to overcome your difficulties.