Teachers Note from book one:
The closest plant to the Tree of Gilead that we have alive today, is the state tree of Kansas. The state tree of Kansas is known as the Cottonwood Tree. This tree grows to six feet in diameter. The cottonwood tree is a part of the softwood tree family, because it blooms in the spring and the dead limbs need to be pruned in the Fall. People cut this tree down, because when the cotton falls off or is spread by the wind it sticks to everything. Mainly cars and walkways. The buds are grinded up when trodden down and forms a sticky paste. This sticky paste is annoying when trying to scrap it off sidewalk.
If people would harvest the cotton they could avoid the mess. Once the buds are removed they could make a pain re-mover. The best buds come from the top of the tree, but others that fall can also be used. You crush these with rocks and apply directly to the wound. It also pushes out infection, helps with congestion, and coughs.
The balm of Gilead also was used in the same manner as we use the cottonwood tree. The balm of Gilead came from a Gilead tree in the land East of the Jordan. It was the land given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad. In Biblical times, a little balm was an aromatic plant retrieved from the gum of tree in Gilead. Scripture in Genesis states that the Ishmaelite traders purchased Joseph from his brothers, but were carrying this balm of Gilead to Egypt. The Egyptians used the buds, branches, and bark to treat chronic infections, cough, wounds, bruises, snake bite, and even sore throats. Although, I can’t imagine it tasting great! Because, the Balm of Gilead was not syrupy. In fact, creating a syrup would have been very hard work.
Let’s examine the following scriptures to examine the Gilead tree in more detail:
Genesis 37:25
25And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
The balm is one of the fist ointments found in scripture. From all accounts the balm was an effective healing ointment for many indications. The people of the Bible distilled it from the eleo-resin of a tree.
Jeremiah 51:8
8 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
It was apparently used for its pain-relieving capabilities. It was also known as the Balm of Mecca, The Balm of Jericho, and the Balm of Gilead.
Jeremiah 8:20
20The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
Jeremiah 9:1 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! God questions His people. Why do you not return to me? How many seasons must pass. The harvest is coming, but there will be known found here in Gilead.
Genesis 43:11 11And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: This scripture we see the end of Joseph’s story. Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to find food. Some of the other spices would have been poppy seed, pepper, coriander, mint, and marjoram.
Ezekiel 27:17
17Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm. The Balm was hybrid. It required a skillful gardener to really flourish.
1 Kings 10:1010 And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon. Queen Sheba visited King Solomon and provided him with a twig to grow his own garden.
(Note: In the first book we made a coat of many colors and discussed Joseph’s story in great detail. You may want to stop here and re-visit this lesson.)
Ok, I hope you know how hard it is to create the balm into medicine. To recap, in book one, we discussed the cotton wood tree and the fig tree; therefore, processing this balm into a medicine would haven take a lot of grinding or baking in the sun. We can compare it with the love of Jesus. For Jesus to become a balm (ointment), He was smitten, bruised and beaten for our transgressions and iniquities. His precious blood was shed on the cross. Today, our faith in His blood in essence represents the balm. Millions of people who are sick physically and spiritually need cleansing on the inside look to “the balm” only Jesus can offer.
As we have examined the balm of Gilead we learned that it is a healing ointment. Now, we can compare this little bit of healing to understand that Jesus is a healer of all sicknesses. He is the Balm of Gilead. From the days of old we witnessed leopards healed, Blind eyes restored, and more. Today, we see Jesus heal every disease. In His blood man is healed of every critical health condition that exists and every sin sickness that abounds.
Jesus imputed our sin on himself. His blood flows through our veins. The Holy Spirt takes charge over your inner being. This action unleashes everlasting healing within you. Thus, we become new creatures that grow in Christ. Our old Adam is gone and a new sprout of living water flows.
The Balm of Gilead was created by God and is a free gift through Jesus. He is the source of all healing. He is the one who can set us free from all our iniquities. and fornication when we receive him as our Savior.
Class 29: Understanding how the Anointed can heal the sick.
I want to first begin by dissecting the following scripture.
Isaiah 10:27 27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
Here is the cross-reference scripture:
Nahum 1:13
“So now, I will break his yoke bar from upon you, And I will tear off your shackles.”
In the day of Hezekiah. Hezekiah was the anointed priest, chosen by God, to rule his people. The people were ruled over by the king of Assyria, 2 Kings 18:14. God’s people had to pay tribute to him. The people were surly giving the government way more than they could afford. The yoke on two cows or bulls should be even to plow a field, but in this scripture the two groups of people were not equal. It is implied that yoke would not fit the bull, because the bull grew and became fat. The bull is Assyria! Assyria took all manner of things from God’s people. Their land was full of rich treasures. They also got stronger and increased in number and power. They were asserting authority of God’s kingdom and oppressed His children. (“Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked” Deuteronomy 32:15). The anointing removed the enemies of God and healed the people. Isn’t that what we need?
Assyria was a mountain towering over God’s people. Can we really move mountains? I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been concerned about moving Mt. Everest. But yes! God’s anointing can move mountains. (Matthew 17:20 20And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.) The mountain in my life was sickness, the hospital bed, the wheel chair, the walker, the cane, the medication, the therapy, and so much more. The anointing removed my yoke! Thanks be to Jesus Christ!
Jesus is the anointed one in the New Testament! -But is that the last one? Is there anyone anointed today? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Acts 10:38 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
John 14:11-12 11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Are you totally on your feet and praising God now? This just excites me beyond measure! Jesus is saying, more or less, Hey guys (addressing the 12 disciples) you all know me? You have seen my works! -But yet you doubt who I am! -I’m guilty! Are you? ______ Therefore, Jesus gives them His qualifications.
What are Jesus’s qualifications? _______________________ Are you a Christian? What are your qualifications? Come on, this is not the first time someone has asked you! ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jesus was born of a virgin. Why? Have you studied it out? In my spirit, I understand it like the following diagram.
My inheritance =’s
– (Bad debt)
Then, I add more debt.
+ =
Will I ever recover?
Only by, Jesus!
He imputed my sin
I go free!
In the beginning there was Adam and Eve! They sinned; therefore, sin was judged and became every person’s inheritance. When a man gives his seed to the women a child is formed. At this point we inherit the debt of sin; therefore, every person is infected with sin. The sin was already judged in Adam. Sin is not necessarily what we do, but who we are. Jesus was born of a virgin! His seed was not affected by sin. God directly implanted his seed in Mary! This is why Mary was blessed among women. Now, we understand Jesus’s first qualification! Adam had conditional righteousness, but Jesus has unconditional righteousness.
Jesus was God’s anointed according to Matthew 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Therefore, Jesus’s second qualification is being anointed. Finally, we Jesus died on the cross he imputed my sin on himself. In other words, he paid my account and your account. Now, we are reconciled to Him and can go free.
Let’s go back to John 14:16. Paraphrase this passage in the space below. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Did you know? That the word comforter in Greek does not mean a blanket? The Greek word for comforter is helper. Jesus left us a helper. He left us the Holy Spirit or also known as The Holy Ghost. If we believe and we will allow God to use us we can also heal. Now, some believe that you need a special anointing in order to heal. Perhaps, this is somewhat true! I don’t think all baby Christians can heal. I think faith in great measures are gift of God and are imputed to us; therefore, in order to heal one must possess great faith. One must, also hear the word of the Lord. Well, how can you hear the word of the Lord? Prayer, faith, and great study are just a few examples.
In order to heal or be healed you must also be in the right relationship with Christ! Healing is only promised to those who have believed, repented, and are standing on the promises of God. Read Romans 9:10 and record the exact criteria.
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Now, read John 14:12! Can only Jesus heal? Record who can in the space below.
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I believe Matthew 9:35 also informs us of a few stipulations. For your convenience I’ve listed the scripture. Matthew 9:35-36 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Let’s see, Jesus’s works included going to the church, teaching, and preaching.
But, perhaps the most important prerequisite is the condition of your heart. Jesus truly had compassion upon the multitude of people. His power was manifested and flowed out of Him. If we do not care about the state of all the sick healing may not float out of our being.
