Names of God YHWH Rapha, YHWH Nissi
Welcome to our continued study on the Names of God! I believe these studies of the attributes of God which are revealed through His names will encourage you! Everything we study about God reveals His amazing nature and how everything He is and does is geared to His love and provision for His children. Our blog post today was written by my wife, Donna. I was hit by a 'mystery virus' and spent part of the week in the hospital, where I experienced the touch of YHWH Rapha in the breaking of a 103 degree temperature. Eric
What a magnificent Creator we have and serve! Thinking back to the creation of everything that exists, back to Genesis 1:1, we read, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." He laid the foundation of earth and made the heavens by the work of His hands. (Psalm 102:25).
In reading the creation story found in Genesis 1 through Genesis 2:25, at various stages of the creation, we see the Scripture reveals in 7 different verses that, "God saw that it (His creation) was good (excellent)." "The fact that everything He created was good reveals His holy and benevolent nature which is complete and perfect." (Kingdom Dynamics, NSFLB). In fact, we gain the insight that goodness does not come from man but is a divine attribute which God placed in his creation. This knowledge (truth) will be beneficial for us to keep in mind as we continue our study of the names of God and learn more specifically about His attributes and how they relate to us and our personal relationship with Him.
Realizing that everything God created was 'good' allows us to correctly assume that sickness, disease, corruption and suffering were not part of God's original design for the world.
How did these things come into the world? In a word - sin. Sin is an act of rebellion against God's holiness and righteousness. When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God's command, sin, brokenness, corruption, death and separation from God entered the picture. However, praise God, just as we remember that God immediately set in motion a plan for the redemption of mankind - we need to remember His nature and attributes! This is why we are doing this important study on the names of God. His names reveal His attributes and enable us to experience the fullness of relationship that God desires to have with His children (believers
You will find the first two names of God which we looked at, in our 3/4/26 post, "Names of God YHWH, YHWH Jireh." I recommend you read it, if you can. It will aid you in seeing all of the attributes of God which we learn from His names.
Today we begin with Exodus 15:26 which reveals another name of God. "He said, "If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD (YHWH), who heals (RAPHA) you." 'Rapha' literally means: to heal, to restore and in this verse "in covenantal context illustrates God's commitment to sustain His people both physically and spiritually; the title 'Jehovah Rapha' directly associates the Lord with the power to mend everything that sin and corruption have damaged." (Bible Hub Study Bible). What an amazingly awesome revelation that is for us!
Let's look at some of the ways YHWH Rapha heals:
Psalm 103:2 and 3 reads, "heals all your diseases" (emotional, physical and spiritual ailments).
Psalm 147:3 reveals, "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." 'Brokenhearted,' shabar in the Hebrew means: broke in pieces, crushed and shattered. "The brokenhearted are those who have experienced deep sorrow, pain, distress, loss due to sin, oppression or personal tragedy." (Bible Hub Study Bible).
Psalm 23:3 reads, "restores my soul." 'Soul' nephesh in the Hebrew means: life, soul, heart, mind and inner being.
Daniel 4:34 reads, "my sanity was restored." 'Sanity' manda means reason and understanding.
The ultimate expression of Jehovah Rapha in the New Testament is revealed in Christ.
In Luke 8:42-48 we read of a woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years and when touched by Jesus, was healed immediately.
An account of a demon-possessed man being cured (delivered or set free) is found in Luke 8:27-36. "The Jewish understanding of demon possession was that it was a spiritual affliction that could manifest in various physical and mental disorders." (Bible Hub Study Bible). I concur.
Jairus' daughter had died. However, when Jesus took hold of her hand and said, "My child, get up," her spirit returned and at once she stood up." (Luke 8:54,55).
Jehovah Rapha has authority over life and death in both the physical and spiritual realm.
God's healing is comprehensive and compassionate. He ministers to us a complete restoration process.
When we were pastoring in Pennsylvania, a young girl with a very serious case of club foot was brought up for prayer during our ministry time. Both feel were turned inward so badly, she had never walked. With the young girl sitting on her mother's lap, Pastor Eric set her feet in the palms of his hands and commanded her legs to straighten. Jehovah Rapha moved on that girl's legs, rotating them back and forth. A sound could be heard in her knees like the grinding together of small pebbles. When the rotation stopped, her feet were perfectly straight. Pastor had the mother set the child down on her feet on the floor; and this 2 1/2 year old who had never walked, took off running! Praise God!
Jehovah (YHWH) Rapha moves today on the behalf of His children.
I must address this issue before we look at the next name of God. Not everyone on the planet receives an earthly physical healing such as the Lord's Word reveals to us. I would not be honest if I expressed that I understand everything about God, His desire, His plan or His purpose. I am aware that His Word says to lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. I also know His Word declares that it is 'appointed for men to die once.' (Hebrews 9:27). I am also aware that Deuteronomy 29:29 reveals that "the secret things belong to the Lord our God."
My father, who had accepted Christ as his Savior when I was a young adult, passed away when he was 55 years old. Two things I know beyond a shadow of a doubt - when he passed, my father was completely healed and entered into the presence of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8). Secondly, my circumstances will never negate the Word of the Lord. (Psalm 119:160). Do I still pray for people to be healed? Absolutely. Have I seen people receive a healing or deliverance? Absolutely. So, if you or someone you know, with a need has not yet received that special touch from the Lord, do not despair. Trust the One Who loves you to act in accordance with His knowledge, understanding and will for yourself or your loved one. Continue to pray in obedience to His Word. Continue to love Him, trust Him, worship Him and allow Him to be God.
Moving on, we read in Exodus 17 that following a victory over the Amalekites, Moses built an altar, as a way of acknowledging God's role in their success and as a place of worship. "Moses commemorated the event and declared theological truth about God's nature and relationship with his people" when he placed these words on the altar: YHWH NISSI (The Lord is my Banner). The naming of the altar was a memorial to remind future generations of God's deliverance and presence." (Bible Hub Study Bible). In this context, 'banner' refers to a standard or ensign used in battle. It symbolizes rallying points and identity. A banner is an elevated pole, flag or a signal sign lifted high so it becomes visible and directive. For the Israelites it was a rallying point for the Lord's army in the battle.
We discover that God gives a banner to those who fear Him, symbolizing protection and victory. (Psalm 60:4)
Here is something we must be aware of - the Battle of Amalek is still on- going , symbolizing the perpetual struggle against sin and evil. God is actively involved in the battles His people face, both physically and spiritually (as we saw earlier in this post regarding the place and relationship we have with YHWH Rapha).
Our victories are not accomplished by our strength or might, but by God's power! Once we understand that, we will realize we must rely on Him and give Him the glory for all of our successes.
In Song of Solomon 2:4 we find these words. "His banner over me is love." Our King's banner is no longer a tribal insignia but is the sacrificial love of Jesus! Praise God!
"'The Lord our Banner' symbolizes God's enduring presence, guidance and victory in believer's lives. With Him as our Banner, we unite under God's leadership, trust in His power and persevere in faith and prayer." (Bible Hub Topical Encyclopedia)
Here is what we must never lose sight of though - if we declare that our identity is in Christ (Our banner, our rallying point), then we as individual members of the Body of Christ and as a member of the whole Body of Christ (the church) should live in a way that reflects his lordship over our lives.
The name Jehovah NISSI is not found in the New Testament. However, in the New Testament, the concept of 'Banner' takes on a spiritual dimension. Jesus is the ultimate banner for believers. In John 12:32 we read, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all people to Myself."
Jesus is our banner. He was lifted up. In Him, we have our identity as a child of God and a part of the Body of Christ. His love unifies us! He goes to battle with us so that we achieve victory in those battles.
We have a God, YHWH Rapha, Who heals us body, soul and spirit!
We have a God, YHWH Nissi, Who gives us identity, and a rallying point for battle and Who is actively involved in the battle we His children face!
I will close today by sharing with you this tremendous imagery I read in the Bible Hub Topical Lexicon regarding Revelation 7:9. "I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne under the Lamb's unifying banner."
Hallelujah!
I can envision myself there!
What about you?
All Scripture is taken from the New International Version.
NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible