Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, children, like adults, are depicted as being susceptible to various diseases and ailments. The Scriptures provide several accounts that highlight the vulnerability of children to illness, reflecting the broader human condition in a fallen world.Old Testament References The Old Testament contains instances where children suffer from diseases, often as a consequence of the community's or parents' actions. In 2 Samuel 12:15-18, the child born to King David and Bathsheba becomes ill as a result of David's sin. The Berean Standard Bible states, "Then the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill." Despite David's fasting and prayer, the child dies on the seventh day, illustrating the severe consequences of sin and the fragility of life. In 1 Kings 17:17-24, the son of the widow of Zarephath falls ill and dies. The prophet Elijah prays to God, and the child's life is restored. This account demonstrates God's power over life and death and His compassion in response to earnest prayer. New Testament References The New Testament also records instances of children suffering from diseases. In Mark 9:17-27, a father brings his son, who is possessed by a spirit causing seizures, to Jesus. The BSB recounts, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a spirit that makes him mute. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid." Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, and the boy is healed, showcasing Jesus' authority over physical and spiritual afflictions. In John 4:46-54, a royal official's son is near death due to illness. The official implores Jesus to heal his son, and Jesus responds, "Go, your son will live" . The boy is healed at that very hour, emphasizing faith in Jesus' word and His power to heal from a distance. Theological Implications The accounts of children suffering from diseases in the Bible often serve as a backdrop for demonstrating God's sovereignty, mercy, and the importance of faith. These narratives underscore the belief that while disease is a part of the human experience due to the fall, God remains compassionate and responsive to the cries of His people. The healing of children in the biblical text also points to the broader theme of restoration and redemption. Jesus' healing ministry, which includes children, is a foretaste of the ultimate restoration promised in the eschatological hope of a new creation where "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4). Practical Considerations For believers, these biblical accounts encourage a reliance on prayer and faith in God's power to heal. They also call for a compassionate response to the suffering of children, reflecting God's heart for the vulnerable and afflicted. The church is often seen as a community that should support and care for sick children, embodying the love and healing presence of Christ in the world. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 12:15And Nathan departed to his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it was very sick. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 17:17 Library The Relation Between Sin and Physical Evil. --Jewish Idea of ... The Subject of Plagiarisms Resumed. The Greeks Plagiarized from ... On the Education of Children Man's Misery by the Fall Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall. The Church Apostrophised as Teacher of all Wisdom. Doctrine of the ... Analysis Necessary. Of Sin by Imputation and Propagation. Letter x. The Preservation of Health. John ii. 4 Resources What does the Bible say about pandemic diseases/sicknesses? | GotQuestions.orgHow can a Christian cope while suffering with a degenerative disease? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about cancer? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Diseases: Art of Curing, Defective Diseases: Demoniacal Possession Diseases: Frequently: Complicated Diseases: Frequently: Incurable Diseases: Frequently: Loathsome Diseases: God often Entreated to Cure Diseases: Intemperance a Cause of Diseases: Medicine Used for Curing Diseases: Not Looking to God In, Condemned Diseases: Often Brought from Other Countries Diseases: Often Sent As Punishment Diseases: Over-Excitement a Cause of Diseases: Physicians Undertook the Cure of Diseases: Regarded As Visitations Diseases: Sins of Youth a Cause of Diseases: Those Afflicted With: Anointed Diseases: Those Afflicted With: Often Divinely Cured Diseases: Those Afflicted With: Often Divinely Supported Diseases: Those Afflicted With: Often Laid in the Streets to Receive Advice from Passers By Related Terms |
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