Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord laments for Jerusalem, the city which has a special place in his heart, and which he affectionately called, "the daughter of my people". But Jerusalem became a wicked city.

Why has this people slidden back?
Why is Jerusalem in continual apostasy?
No man repented of his wickedness
Saying, "What have I done!"
 
(Jer 8:5-6)

The city was characterised by falsehood, covetousness, immorality, and idolatry. The city was sick, and about to die. Soon the rival city of Babylon would fall upon Jerusalem and destroy it.

Across the River Jordan, not far from Jerusalem, was a land called Gilead. It was famous for its spices, ointments, and herbal remedies. The merchants to whom Joseph was sold "had come from Gilead with camels bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt" (Gen 37:25).

Now that is one of the lovely ironies of the Bible story, that Joseph was thrown in with the spices and the balm, as just another piece of merchandise. Yet his children would one day come to possess the land of Gilead, and its balm would be theirs to make their fortunes from (Jsh 17:1).

But we come back to Jerusalem in Jeremiah's time, as the Lord contemplates the spiritual sickness there:

Is there no Balm in Gilead?
Is no physician there?
Why then is there no recovery
For the health of the daughter of my people?
 
(Jer 8:21-22)

Of course, the literal balm of Gilead could not heal the spiritual sores of Jerusalem. But just as they could go to Gilead for balm to heal sores upon their bodies, so they could go to the physician in the spiritual Gilead (heaven) to find healing for their spiritual ills.

God's question, "Is there no balm in Gilead?" means "Why haven't you come to me for healing for your souls?"

Why do people, perhaps even you and I, not come to the heavenly physician for spiritual healing?

There are three possible reasons:

1. The Sickness is Not Recognised

(1Co 11:28-30)

Women are encouraged to examine their breasts, to detect tumours early. The sooner one recognises an illness, the easier it is to cure.

In Corinth spiritual sickness persisted, because there was a lack of recognition and self examination.

In a similar way, David, after he went in to Bathsheba, did not recognise his sin, until Nathan pointed it out with skill (2Sm 12:1-15). After this David wrote Psalm 51, in which he pleads, "Restore me to the joy of your salvation and sustain me with your generous spirit".

2. The Cure is Not Known

(Lke 5:31-32 and Rev 22:1-2)

It is possible to recognise that one has an illness, yet not know of a cure.

There is a great physician, and there is a balm in the heavenly Gilead, where grows the trees whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. Alas, so many know they are sick in spirit, but do not know that the balm of Gilead is there to heal them.

3. The Cure is Not Applied

(Acts 2:38 and Acts 8:22)

It is possible to recognise an illness, and to know the cure, yet fail to apply that cure. One might recognise one's sin, and know the cure, yet neglect or refuse to apply that cure.

Applying God's cure to our sins is such a simple matter, given that we have faith in Jesus. Peter tells how...

We know that this simple cure is possible through faith in Jesus Christ who died for our sins, and suffered that we might be healed. Alas, many do not apply the cure. Mrs Kidder wrote...

When your heart was bowed in sorrow,
Balm of Gilead did you borrow,
At the gates of day?

Recognise your spiritual sickness, know the cure, and apply it today. The "Balm of Gilead" is there for everyone to use and be healed --especially you.

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