Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
General Christian
Relationships and Religion
What Does Rāp̄ā’ Mean for Floods & The Middle East?

What Does Rāp̄ā’ Mean for Floods & The Middle East?

Last updated on: June 12, 2026 at 12:19 am by Martin Thomas Johnson

0 Comments

What Does Rāp̄ā’ Mean for Floods & The Middle East? 2026-06-12T00:19:33-04:00 Martin Thomas Johnson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The big news this week has been more severe weather across the United States; everything from flooding to tornadoes has torn America apart. Nashville experienced severe flooding, as did other parts of the Southeast.

Image by Wikipedia Commons

Today, there were numerous reports of tornadoes and destructive storms spreading from the heartland up to the northeast. The summer break has been anything but peaceful and relaxing this year. It is becoming clearer and clearer that America’s weather patterns are broken.

Despite what MAGA believes, it is clear that the climate is changing, regardless of the reason: climate change, and times weather phenomena (Mark 13:19, Luke 21:25-26). America doesn’t look like a nation God is blessing to me, despite what most conservatives want to believe (Psalm 33:12, Isaiah 1:19):

Severe weather
Inflation
Political unrest
Foreign wars

it seems like the party that claims to be conservative and of God, has forgotten God’s stipulations for His blessings (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, Jeremiah 7:23, Matthew 7:21). While many conservatives are busy looking down on the sins of others and throwing stones at the “Liberals”, then neglect to address their own broken sinful nature that needs to be healed (Matthew 7:3-5, Romans 3:23).

Instead of trusting God completely, they have turned to politics and earthly idols to do their own sinful and temporary, and anti-Christian will (Judges 2:11-13, 2 Timothy 4:3-4). Instead of obeying a perfect, loving God, many listen to a power-hungry, lying fallen man who is out for revenge and war.

To my MAGA friends, God will not bless, and here in America, when you openly disobey His Word and ways (2 Chronicles 7:14).

What Is Healing

When we look at the world we live in today, it is obvious that it is just as broken as it was in the beginning after the fall, even with God’s people in it (Genesis 6:5). When I was younger, I learned that broken people cannot fix anything and sick people need to get help before they can help others.

Image by Pixabay

Heal is defined as, “To make free from injury or disease, to make whole or healthy: mend.” All humans are broken because of our sinful nature, regardless of political affiliation or nationality (Romans 3:23

Only a perfect and sinless God can save the world (Romans 5:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:21). If we put our hope in anyone or anything else, that is idolatry (Psalm 115:4-8, Matthew 6:24)

That is why the Bible has a lot to say about healing and who is our Healer (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24). God creates life, heals, and takes it (Genesis 2:7, Deuteronomy 32:39, Acts 17:25, James 4:15).

When we come to God, we are saved, but we aren’t perfect yet (Galatians 5:24-25, Hebrews 12:1-2). God through the Holy Spirit begins the sanctification process that transforms and heals us (Romans 8:29, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 1:13-14, Philippians 1:6, Colossians 3:10, 2 Peter 1:3-4). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about how we are healed and who our Healer is.

Rāp̄ā’

The Torah tells us that after the fall, mankind and the world became broken (Genesis 3:16-19; 6:5-6). God promised to crush Satan and heal the broken relationship that was lost in the garden (Genesis 3:15).

This first gospel predicted God’s future restoration and healing of what was lost in the garden (Isaiah 7:14, Revelation 12:17). It is God’s plan to use His people to help restore the world that became broken in the garden (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18).

The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for heal is *rāp̄ā’*and it can also mean, “Healer, to make healthy, cure, or repaired,” depending upon the context it is used in. God promised to be Israel’s healer and heal the land if they obeyed Him completely (Exodus 15:26, Deuteronomy 30:16, 2 Chronicles 7:14). Because of that, Jehovah Rāp̄ā’ became a cherished name of God for Israel (Exodus 15:26):

Healing water of Marah (Exodus 15:22-27)
Protection from the plagues (Exodus 12:13)
Purifying resources (2 Kings 2:21)
Restoration from exile (Jeremiah 22:37)
Transforming their hearts (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26)
Repentance and prayer (Numbers 21:79)
Healing the land (Isaiah 51:3)
Messianic healer (Isaiah 53:4-5)

During His earthly ministry, Jesus fulfilled the messianic prophecies by healing others and comforting God’s people (Isaiah 61:1-2, Matthew 11:2-6). It was expected for Jesus to heal everyone, but instead He raised Lazarus from the dead to solidify His Godhood (John 11:1-44).

mage by Pixabay

Jesus even gave His Disciples the power to heal and raise the dead (Matthew 10:1-8). Our Lord had the power to heal and curse the land itself (Matthew 8:26-27; 21:18-22). Despite being pursued by him, Jesus even healed the ear that was cut off of the servant of the high priest by Peter (Luke 22:50-51).

Then Jesus rebuked Peter for acting and fighting like the world instead of healing and loving like God (Luke 22:49-51).

The Middle East

In other big news this week, the fighting in the Middle East over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear capability picked up despite President Trump claiming the war had ended for the 27th time.

Image by Wikipedia Commons

The fighting picked up after Iran shot down one of our Apache helicopters with their military that has already been destroyed by our Armed Forces.

Yet, Iran was still able to attack our bases and our allies throughout the Middle East this week. Of course, the president and his administration vowed to get revenge and make Iran pay a heavy price for the attacks with their defeated military.

Then just today, the president decided to call off the attacks once again. Hopefully, President Trump and his administration and followers have realized they cannot heal the Middle East by using the ways and acting like this fallen world:

Threatening
Violence
Unforgiveness
Deception

Pres. Trump and his followers need to return to God’s ways that are not like this fallen world’s (Isaiah 55:8-9). We serve a God of forgiveness and mercy, not revenge and greed (Micah 7:18-19, Ephesians 4:32).

President Trump wants to bring peace to the Middle East, but he wants to do it his way. That is why the Bible is clear that only God will bring everlasting peace to and heal the Middle East (Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3).Trump does not understand that only light can overcome darkness. We cannot bring peace by hurting others; peace only comes through God’s rāp̄ā’!

Jewish

Previous Post

June 7, 2026

How Does Rā'â Connect The Stock Market & Severe Weather?

Next Post

June 14, 2026 How Does Šālôm Connect The Texas Shooting & UFC 250?

Who was Paul's hometown companion?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Luke Barnabas Timothy Silas