What does it mean “by His stripes we are healed.” That verse from Isaiah is so often linked to physical healing – but is it limited to physical healing only? That’s what I want to look at today and tomorrow.
Isaiah 53:5 declares: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” [NIV]
The Hebrew word for “healed” is “rapha,” and is used in the OT for mending water, land, cities, personal bodies, broken hearts, and covenant relations. It always underscores God’s prerogative to restore what has been broken. The LORD declared to the nation of Israel on the shore of the Red Sea that “I am the LORD who heals you.” [Exodus 15:26].
From the beginning, healing was an act of covenant faithfulness and not merely physical healing. As the word is repeated in the OT, there are, of course, multiple occurrences of physical healing, but there are also national restorations [1Chronicles 7:14), and healing of hearts. [Isaiah 6:10, Hosea 6:1, Jeremiah 3:22].
Ultimately, the verse in Isaiah foretells of a Suffering Servant who will be “pierced for our transgressions.” This verse in Isaiah 55 reaches the summit. It speaks of the final healing, the atonement that will tackle sin’s guilt and its corrupting effects on the whole of mankind – spirit, soul, and body.
Tomorrow “Iaomai”