For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover.
Hezekiah, king of Israel, was sick and received through a prophet the message that he should die. He cried unto the Lord, and the Lord heard His servant and added fifteen years to his life. Through Isaiah God directed that a lump or bunch of figs be taken and laid as a plaster or poultice upon the boil, sore, and diseased part, and that he should recover. Hezekiah's attendants were to apply the figs to the sore and affected part.
The direction was given in plain, ordinary language that everyone and ordinary people can understand. Though one word from God would have healed Hezekiah instantly, God gave special direction for healing through the fig remedy rather than by His direct restoring power alone. That remedy was to be used by human hands, with the figs placed upon the boil and diseased part. The recovery was gradual rather than instantaneous.
Using what God has provided to relieve pain and aid nature in restoration, working in harmony with natural laws and using available beneficial means wisely alongside prayer, is cooperation with God and with divine power and divine providence. It does not deny or hinder faith. The figs were a simple, familiar, natural remedy, blessed by God. It was given to turn attention from elaborate treatments to nature's restorative work and to reliance on it. It teaches that the body should be allowed to rally and overcome disease rather than be hindered in recovery and weakened by drug treatment.
Hezekiah, king of Israel, was sick and received through a prophet the message that he should die. He cried unto the Lord, and the Lord heard His servant and added fifteen years to his life. Through Isaiah God directed that a lump or bunch of figs be taken and laid as a plaster or poultice upon the boil, sore, and diseased part, and that he should recover. Hezekiah's attendants were to apply the figs to the sore and affected part.
The direction was given in plain, ordinary language that everyone and ordinary people can understand. Though one word from God would have healed Hezekiah instantly, God gave special direction for healing through the fig remedy rather than by His direct restoring power alone. That remedy was to be used by human hands, with the figs placed upon the boil and diseased part. The recovery was gradual rather than instantaneous.
Using what God has provided to relieve pain and aid nature in restoration, working in harmony with natural laws and using available beneficial means wisely alongside prayer, is cooperation with God and with divine power and divine providence. It does not deny or hinder faith. The figs were a simple, familiar, natural remedy, blessed by God. It was given to turn attention from elaborate treatments to nature's restorative work and to reliance on it. It teaches that the body should be allowed to rally and overcome disease rather than be hindered in recovery and weakened by drug treatment.