1) One must make a determnation here. Is it the weeping prophet speaking or God?(vv 18, 21)

2) Even if it is the prophet look at how Heschel saw the prophets as being mediators for the pathos of god.

3) God seems to reject the contention of the people that they can rely on always being snatched from trouble, no matter what.

4) the balm of gilead had analgesic properties and its odor helped as well. What do you find soothing, even healing? One could speak of soothing the soul, the body, the mind, the heart. Where and when have you received ro given balm?

4)Why isn;t there healing for us, if healing is in gilead is a question of chosen ones feeling ignored or excluded.

5) It seems as if doom is certain here, with no way out.

6) timing is a factor that we often impsoe on god, by such and such a date I would like to see some change. patience is difficult when truble is looming or present.

7)  Medical miracles and pschotropic drugs often puts prayer now only in extremis.

8) v. 9:1 surely fits the day after 9/11, no?