372. JER 8:22. GILEAD'S BALM AND PHYSICIAN

Jer_8:22. Gilead’s Balm and Physician

"Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?"’97Jer_8:22.

Gilead is the name given to a ridge of mountains, which extended from Lebanon southward, on the east of Palestine, and give their name to the whole district of country east of the sea of Galilee. This name was given in the ancient compact made between Jacob and his uncle Laban, Gen_31:48. This country seems to have been in great repute even in the days of Joseph, for yielding a sort of balm, which was very celebrated for its healing medicinal qualities. Hence, we read that Joseph was sold to a company of Ishmaelites, who came from Gilead, bearing spice, balm, and myrrh, Gen_37:25. The prophet, after contemplating the morally diseased condition of the people, inquires, "Is there no balm?" &c. We have recently considered the diseased condition of man, as that of the plague: let us then with the prophet inquire, "Is there no balm?" &c. Let us then answer the three important questions in the text. "Is there no balm in Gilead?" We reply to this,

I. There is Balm for the diseased Soul of Man.

1. The word of God may be considered as the recipe given.

Hence, it is said, "He sent his word and healed them." It is called the word of salvation. No other volume in the whole world apart from this, can answer the momentous question, "What must I do to be saved?" This word reveals to man his state and danger, and the only remedy for his guilt and misery. This is the only volume which can make us wise unto sal-ration.

2. The blood of Jesus is the healing balm.

All the blessings connected with salvation are ascribed to the blood of Christ. We are redeemed by his blood. Reconciled to God by his blood. Forgiveness by his blood. Sanctified and cleansed from all sin by his blood. His blood is the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. There is in the sacred word an unvarying and essential connection kept up between the sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus, and the recovery of the soul from sin, to holiness, and God. "He was wounded for our transgressions. He bare our sins in his own body on the tree!"

3. Believing application to Christ’s blood infallibly effects the healing of the soul.

As in all cases, the possession of a recipe, or even the remedy itself, is not enough without its application, so also in this. The sinner must come to the blood of sprinkling. He must trust and rely all his confidence in Christ’s blood. He must plead it, as the ground of his hope, &c. with God. In this way, its virtue will be felt, and a certain cure effected. None ever trusted in the blood of atonement without obtaining salvation. However deeply-seated and universal, the malady. However confirmed the disease. However fearful the symptoms. However hopeless in man’s estimation. A dying thief was healed. Jerusalem murderers saved. And Saul of Tarsus also obtained mercy. But, notice the second important question: "Is there no physician there?" We reply,

II. There is a Physician for the afflicted Souls of Men.

This physician is Jesus. In the days of his flesh, he went about healing the maladies both of the bodies and the minds of men. As a physician,

1. He possesses unbounded knowledge.

He knows all the faculties of the soul. He knows its state throughout. He knows he precise application necessary to its restoration.

2. He is distinguished for inexpressible tenderness.

He deeply commiserates the misery of sinsick souls. His bowels yearn over them He longs to apply his healing remedies; and this tenderness he displays to all who seek his aid.

3. He is accessible at all times and places.

Thus, he is the whole world’s physician. His practice is as wide as the earth, as universal as the family of man. He is ever to be found, always near, and not afar off.

4. He infallibly cures all the diseases of the soul.

This can never be said of any physician of the body. They often err; remedies fail; patients die. Not so with Jesus: all diseases are alike to him. Spiritual deafness, blindness, the dumb, the lame, the paralytic, &c., the leprous. Nay, he can raise the soul dead in trespasses and sins. And he never fails.

5. His terms are of the most gracious description.

"Without money, and without price." You read of no fees demanded, or given in the days of his flesh. It has ever been so, and will be so forever. So that the most abject can have access, as easily as the noble and the rich. Such, then, is the physician, to which the sinsick soul can hare access. Then, observe the last question in the text,

III. Why, then, are not the Maladies of Mankind removed?

We have spoken of a balm which is a certain remedy, and of a physician who infallibly cures; and let it be added, that this remedy is sufficiently efficacious to cure the whole world, and this physician is willing to save every man. "Why, then, is not the health," &c. All the reasons must be with the sick themselves; and none with the physician.

1. Many fancy themselves to be well and require no healing.

Christ had to do with these. "They that were whole." The self-righteous. So it is now, they are ignorant of the plague of their own hearts. They say, "They are rich," &c.

2. Many conclude their maladies are not dangerous; and therefore are indifferent.

The conversation and practice of thousands say, that sin is quite a trifle, of no consequence; therefore, they live carelessly, and die so.

3. Many try to heal themselves and thus neglect Jesus.

Like the woman with the bloody issue, who had spent all she had on physicians of no value. Some try penances, confessions, &c., alms, &c.

4. Many will not submit to Christ’s remedies and regimen.

They will not attend to his advice as to food, air, exercise, &c. Will not deny themselves.

5. Many desire to be healed, but are prevented through moral indolence and apathy.

Like the man who had been waiting at the pool, always allowed some one to prevent him. So these never are in earnest, or in time.

6. Many defer it to a sick-bed, and to a lying hour.

They never dream of dying in sin; but at present, they have other concerns which engage their attention. How madlike this! How uncertain!

Application

1. Urge the restored to extol Jesus.

2. Urge seekers to an immediate application.

3. Warn the inconsiderate of their sin and danger.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS