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The story is told of a good king who reigned in Israel from about 715 to 686 BC. His father, a wicked king, led the Israelites into idol worship, turning the nation away from worshipping the true God of Israel. Despite his upbringing in a morally corrupt home, it is recorded that King Hezekiah "did what was right in the sight of the LORD"[1], and continues “He trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses. The LORD was with him; he prospered wherever he went." [2]

The time came when Hezekiah, still in the prime of his life[3] was visited by the prophet Isaiah who bore the dreadful news of his impending death. Hezekiah cried out to the LORD and soon after was revisited by Isaiah with the joyful news that he would live another 15 years.

However, he was not immediately healed of his affliction. The king had developed a boil, or abscess, which apparently threatened his life, and part of the plan for his complete recovery included his trusting in God. Simply put, a lump of figs. “Let them take a lump of figs, and apply it as a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover.” [4] Surely the king must have thought twice about this primitive therapy and, in fact, scripture tells us that he asked the LORD for a sign that he would be healed. In answer to his prayer, a miraculous sign was given and the king was healed as promised.

Simple is Good

We see other Biblical examples of healings using simple treatments combined with trust in God, including the story of Naaman the leper who was told to go and wash in the Jordan seven times to be healed of his leprosy[5], and of Jesus healing a blind man’s eyes by applying clay to them and telling him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam[6]. Since the beginning of time, God has placed within man’s access natural agents for maintaining health and healing sickness. These elements, all of which we find in Eden, include healthy foods, physical activity, pure water, exposure to sunshine, absence of harmful substances, fresh air, and rest, along with trust in a loving God who cares for His creation.

Back to Figs

So why figs? What do we know about Ficus carica (fig) and its health and healing properties? The leaves of this tree, first mentioned as a covering to hide Adam and Eve’s nakedness caused by sin[7] mark the beginning of numerous Biblical references to figs, including others related to the fruit itself and also to the tree. Because of its wide range of important nutrients (including calcium, potassium, fiber, prebiotics, Vitamins A & C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus among others), figs may be considered beneficial in bone health, blood pressure regulation, anemia prevention, promoting good digestion, and may be helpful in reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Surprisingly, ½ cup of dried figs is equivalent to ½ cup milk in calcium content.[8]

But a poultice of figs? In 2003 researcher L. Ben-Noun[9] suggested that if King Hezekiah’s boil, proposed to be cutaneous anthrax, was healed by figs, more research can be done to determine which compounds in figs may be isolated and used for treating cutaneous and other forms of anthrax. According to a 2014 review article in Pharmaceutical Biology[10] Ficus carica has traditionally been used worldwide for more than 40 types of disorders, including skin diseases and ulcers, attributing its wide spectrum of biological activities to numerous components such as plant pigments and enzymes. Indian researchers[11] also showed this plant to have phytochemical and therapeutic properties which have been demonstrated to be effective in various ways, including historical use in poultices made from leaves, fruit, milky juice and branches.

God’s Ways Are Better

In an age of high-tech digitalized solutions, can it be that God’s ways still work? “God has put it in our power to obtain a knowledge of the laws of life. This knowledge has been placed within our reach for use. We should employ every facility for the restoration of health, taking every advantage possible, working in harmony with natural laws. When we have prayed for the recovery of the sick, we can work with all the more energy, thanking God that we have the privilege of co-operating with Him, and asking His blessing on the means which He Himself has provided.”[12]

[1] 2 Kings 18:3 (NKJV)

[2] 2 Kings 18:5-7 (NKJV)

[3] Isa 38:10 (NKJV)

[4] Isa 38:21 (NKJV)

[5] 2 Kings 5:10 (NKJV)

[6] John 9:1-7

[7] Gen 3:7

[8] California Figs, “Resources Nutrition Professionals” https://californiafigs.com/resources/nutrition-pr...

[9] Ben-Noun LL. Figs--the earliest known ancient drug for cutaneous anthrax. Ann Pharmacother. 2003 Feb;37(2):297-300. doi: 10.1177/106002800303700224. PMID: 12549964.

[10] Shamkant B. Badgujar, Vainav V. Patel, Atmaram H. Bandivdekar & Raghunath T. Mahajan (2014) Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Ficuscarica: A review, Pharmaceutical Biology, 52:11, 1487-1503, DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.892515

[11] Abid Rashid, 2 Asrar Amin Khan, 3 Sajad Hussain Dar, 4 Nelofar Gulam Nabi, 5 Abdul Rashid Teli (2017) Phytochemical and therapeutic properties of Ficus carica Linn. : An overview International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research ISSN: 2455-4685 Impact Factor: RJIF 5.28 www.pharmacyjournal.net Volume 2; Issue 6; November 2017; Page No. 16-23

[12] White, E.G. Counsels for the Church (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1991) 306.3.