Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, diseases and ailments are frequently depicted as conditions that prompt individuals and communities to seek divine intervention. The Scriptures present numerous instances where God is entreated to cure diseases, reflecting a deep reliance on His power and mercy for healing.Old Testament Context The Old Testament provides several accounts where God is directly appealed to for healing. One of the earliest examples is found in the account of Miriam, the sister of Moses, who was struck with leprosy as a consequence of her rebellion. Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, "O God, please heal her!" (Numbers 12:13). In response to Moses' intercession, God healed Miriam after seven days. Another significant instance is King Hezekiah's illness. When Hezekiah became mortally ill, the prophet Isaiah delivered a message from God that he would not recover. However, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly to the LORD. God heard his prayer and added fifteen years to his life, as recorded in 2 Kings 20:5-6 : "I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you." The Psalms also reflect a tradition of seeking God's healing. Psalm 103:2-3 praises God, saying, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds—He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases." New Testament Context The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Christ's ministry being marked by numerous healings. The Gospels recount many instances where individuals approached Jesus with faith, seeking healing for themselves or others. In Matthew 8:2-3 , a leper came to Jesus, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Jesus touched him and said, "I am willing; be clean," and the man was immediately cleansed of his leprosy. The apostolic era also witnessed divine healings. In Acts 9:34 , Peter said to a paralyzed man named Aeneas, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and put away your mat." Immediately, Aeneas got up, demonstrating the continued power of God to heal through His servants. Theological Implications The biblical accounts of healing underscore the belief in God's sovereignty and compassion. They illustrate that while diseases may afflict humanity, God remains a source of hope and restoration. The act of entreating God for healing is an expression of faith, acknowledging His ultimate authority over life and health. Moreover, these narratives often highlight the importance of faith and repentance in the process of healing. In many cases, healing is accompanied by a call to spiritual renewal or a demonstration of faith, as seen in the healing of the paralytic in Mark 2:5 , where Jesus first forgives the man's sins before healing his physical ailment. Conclusion Throughout the Bible, the entreaty to God for the cure of diseases is a recurring theme that reflects the deep-seated belief in His power to heal. These accounts serve as a testament to God's enduring mercy and the faith of those who seek His intervention in times of physical distress. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 12:16David therefore sought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 20:1-3 Psalm 6:2 James 5:14 Library The Healing of the Man Born Blind. The History of Simon Magus. C. The Third Period. Chs. 6:12 to 8:56 A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ... The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ... The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Saviour (Nt Apocrypha) Lives of Faith and Trust Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47. 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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