See the amazing miracle of the blind man healed at the Pool of Siloam, learn the purposes for sickness, and learn all about the location and historical facts about this highly visited site in Jerusalem.
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Location
1. The Pool of Siloam was uncovered in 2004 during a water pipe break.
2. It is in the lower part of the City of David.
3. It was located on a main road that headed up to the Southern Gate entrance to the temple.
Historical Background
1. The Pool of Siloam was a large purification mitzvah for the Jewish holy festivals like the Passover, Feast of Tabernacles, Pentecost, etc.
2. The historian, Josephus, who lived during the time of Christ, records that up to a million Jews would make pilgrimages to Jerusalem on these holy festivals. These Jews had to be purified before entering the Temple Mount.
3. It was the size of two Olympic-sized swimming pools.
4. It has the same kind of stones and style as the Southern Stairs.
5. Its water source comes from the Gihon Spring in the City of David.
6. The water runs through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, which was built in 700 BC to prevent Jerusalem’s water source from being cut off by the warring army of the Assyrians.
Places of Interest
1. Pool of Siloam
2. Road from the Pool of Siloam leading up to the southern entrance to the temple
3. Southern temple entrance
4. Gihon Spring
5. City of David
6. Temple Mount
7. Hezekiah's Tunnel
Pool of Siloam in the Bible
1. Jesus performed an amazing miracle here by healing a blind man.
John 9:1-7
2. Why did Jesus make clay out of dirt and His saliva?
To possibly show that He was the Creator and formed Adam and Eve out of the dust of the ground.
3. Why the Pool of Siloam?
It was a key purification place, and multitudes of people were likely present to witness the miracle.
It was an example of living water. John 7:37-38: Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”
4. The confrontation between the blind man and the religious leaders
(John 9:28-34).
5. Later this man also received spiritual sight and became a follower of Christ (John 9:35-38).
6. Jesus pronounced judgment on those who refuse the light God gives them (John 9:39-41).
Faith Lesson from the Pool of Siloam
1. The blind man received physical sight because of Jesus.
2. Later, he would receive spiritual sight as well and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Have we received spiritual sight by being born-again?
3. The blind man was cast out of the synagogue, which was an enormous price to pay for a Jew. Are we willing to pay any price to follow Christ?
4. If we refuse the light God gives us, we can become spiritually blind like the Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ day.
5. Contrary to what many believe, God does not always heal everyone and has more than one purpose for sickness.
Biblical Purposes for Sickness and Ailments
1. Sickness for the glory of God.
Example of the blind man Jesus healed at the Pool of Siloam. John 9:3: Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
2. Sickness for disciplining believers living in sin.
Example of believers who partook of the Lord’s Supper with sin in their lives. 1 Corinthians 11:30: For this reason, many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.
3. Sickness to keep us humble and dependent on God.
Example of the Apostle Paul. 2 Corinthians 12:7: So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
4. Sickness that allows us to glorify God in the midst of our suffering as we show our love and devotion to God despite our problems.
Example of the life of Job. Job 13:15: Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
5. Sickness for transforming us into the image of Christ.
Romans 8:28-29: And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.
6. Sickness that will develop within us a greater appreciation for heaven and all its pleasures.
2 Corinthians 4:17: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
7. Sickness unto death.
Eventually, we’re all going to die regardless of what happens. Example of the great Prophet Elisha.