Topical Encyclopedia Throughout the biblical narrative, pestilence is depicted as a divine instrument of judgment and a consequence of sin, often leading to the devastation of cities. The Bible records several instances where cities and their inhabitants suffered from pestilence, underscoring the seriousness of disobedience to God's commandments and the need for repentance.Pestilence as Divine Judgment Pestilence is frequently mentioned in the context of divine retribution. In the Old Testament, God warns the Israelites of the consequences of turning away from His statutes. In Leviticus 26:25, God declares, "And I will bring a sword against you to execute the vengeance of the covenant. When you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be delivered into the hand of the enemy" . This passage highlights the use of pestilence as a tool to bring about repentance and return to covenant faithfulness. The Plagues of Egypt One of the most notable instances of pestilence is found in the account of the plagues of Egypt. In Exodus 9:3, God sends a severe plague upon the livestock of the Egyptians, demonstrating His power and sovereignty over creation: "behold, the hand of the LORD will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock in the field, on the horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks" . This pestilence serves as a sign to Pharaoh and the Egyptians of God's demand for the release of the Israelites. David's Census and the Resulting Plague Another significant event involving pestilence occurs during the reign of King David. In 2 Samuel 24, David's decision to conduct a census of Israel leads to divine displeasure. As a result, God offers David a choice of three punishments, and David chooses pestilence. The plague that follows results in the death of 70,000 men, as recorded in 2 Samuel 24:15: "So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand men of the people died, from Dan to Beersheba" . This event underscores the gravity of disobedience and the need for humility before God. Prophetic Warnings and Fulfillment The prophets frequently warned of pestilence as a consequence of national sin and rebellion. Jeremiah, for instance, prophesied the coming destruction upon Jerusalem due to the people's unfaithfulness. In Jeremiah 21:6, God declares, "I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast, and they will die in a terrible plague" . Such warnings were intended to call the people to repentance and to avert the impending judgment. Pestilence in the New Testament While the New Testament does not focus as heavily on pestilence as the Old Testament, it does acknowledge its presence as part of the trials and tribulations of the end times. In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus mentions pestilence as one of the signs preceding His return: "There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven" (Luke 21:11). This reference serves as a reminder of the fallen state of the world and the ultimate hope of redemption through Christ. Conclusion The biblical portrayal of pestilence as a divine instrument serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance. Throughout Scripture, pestilence is used to call individuals and nations back to God, emphasizing His sovereignty and justice. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 5:11So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Babylonia and Assyria Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus. The Seventh Book "Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother. " St. Gregory the Great. On the Glory of Martyrdom. part ii Justinian. The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The Sibylline Oracles. Resources Does God killing people make Him a murderer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the strange flesh in Jude 1:7? | GotQuestions.org What were the Dark Ages? | GotQuestions.org Cities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Cities of Refuge of the Hope of the Gospel Cities of Refuge: (The Way To) Christ Cities of Refuge: Afforded No Asylum to Murderers Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Easy of Access Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Open to all Manslayers Cities of Refuge: Strangers Might Take Advantage of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to not Protected Outside of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Obliged to Remain In, Until the High Priest's Death Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Were Put on Their Trial Cities were Called For: The Country in Which Built Cities were Called For: The Family of the Founder Cities were Called For: The Proprietor of the Land Cities were Frequently: Besieged Cities were Frequently: Burned Cities were Frequently: Depopulated Cities were Frequently: Made Heaps of Ruins Cities were Frequently: Pillaged Cities were Frequently: Razed and Sown With Salt Cities were Frequently: Stormed Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Famine Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Pestilence Cities: A Great Defence to a Country Cities: Afforded Refuge in Times of Danger Cities: Arranged in Streets and Lanes Cities: Artificial Mode of Supplying Water To Cities: Built in Desert Places Cities: Built in Pleasant Situations Cities: Built of Brick and Mortar Cities: Built of Brick and Slime Cities: Built of Stone and Wood Cities: Built with Compactness Cities: Built: Often of a Square Form Cities: Built: On Solid Foundations Cities: Designated as Merchant Cities: Designated as Treasure Cities: Designed for Habitations Cities: Different Kinds of Chariot Cities: Different Kinds of Commercial Cities: Different Kinds of Fenced Cities: Different Kinds of Levitical Cities: Different Kinds of Refuge Cities: Different Kinds of Royal Cities: Different Kinds of Store Cities: Different Kinds of Treasure Cities: Difficulty of Taking, Alluded To Cities: Government of, by Rulers Cities: Inhabitants of, Called Citizens Cities: Often Built to Perpetuate a Name Cities: Often Deserted on the Approach of an Enemy Cities: Often Fortified by Art Cities: Often Fortified by Nature Cities: Often Founded and Enlarged by Blood and Rapine Cities: Often Great and Goodly Cities: Often of Great Antiquity Cities: Prosperity of, Increased by Commerce Cities: Protected at Night by Watchmen Related Terms Chariot-cities (3 Occurrences) Treasure-cities (1 Occurrence) Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) |
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