Topical Bible: Diseases: Often Sent As Punishment

◄ Diseases: Often Sent As Punishment ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, diseases are frequently depicted as instruments of divine judgment and punishment. The Scriptures provide numerous instances where God uses illness as a means to discipline His people or to demonstrate His power and sovereignty. This concept is rooted in the understanding of God as both just and merciful, using afflictions to bring about repentance and restoration.

Old Testament Instances

1. Plagues in Egypt: One of the most prominent examples is the series of plagues sent upon Egypt, culminating in the death of the firstborn (Exodus 7-12). These plagues, including diseases affecting both humans and livestock, were direct acts of God to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. The plagues served as a demonstration of God's power over the Egyptian gods and as a punishment for Pharaoh's hardened heart.

2. Miriam's Leprosy: In Numbers 12, Miriam, the sister of Moses, is struck with leprosy as a punishment for speaking against Moses. The Lord's anger was kindled against her, and she was afflicted with the disease until Moses interceded on her behalf. This incident underscores the seriousness of rebellion against God's chosen leaders and the swift consequences that can follow.

3. The Philistines and the Ark: When the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant, God afflicted them with tumors as a punishment for their disrespect (1 Samuel 5). The disease spread throughout their cities, leading the Philistines to return the Ark to Israel. This event highlights the holiness of God and the dangers of treating sacred objects with irreverence.

4. King Uzziah's Leprosy: King Uzziah was struck with leprosy for his pride and unauthorized attempt to burn incense in the temple (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). His affliction served as a divine rebuke for his transgression and a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commandments.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament emphasizes the healing ministry of Jesus, it also contains instances where disease is linked to sin and divine judgment.

1. Herod's Death: In Acts 12:23, King Herod is struck down by an angel of the Lord and dies a gruesome death, "eaten by worms," because he did not give glory to God. This serves as a stark warning against pride and the failure to acknowledge God's sovereignty.

2. Ananias and Sapphira: Although not a disease, the sudden deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 for lying to the Holy Spirit illustrate the severe consequences of sin within the early church. This incident underscores the seriousness with which God views deceit and hypocrisy among His people.

Theological Implications

The use of disease as punishment in the Bible reflects the broader theological themes of sin, judgment, and redemption. It serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the consequences of disobedience. However, it is also important to recognize that not all illness is a direct result of personal sin, as seen in the account of Job and the man born blind in John 9:1-3, where Jesus clarifies that his blindness was not due to sin but for the works of God to be displayed in him.

In summary, the biblical portrayal of diseases as divine punishment serves to illustrate God's justice and the call to repentance. It is a testament to the seriousness of sin and the need for humanity to seek reconciliation with God through faith and obedience.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 28:21
The LORD shall make the pestilence stick to you, until he have consumed you from off the land, where you go to possess it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 5:14
Afterward Jesus finds him in the temple, and said to him, Behold, you are made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"Woe unto You, Because Ye Build the Tombs of the Prophets, and ...
... the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee ... these, that were sick of the
same diseases as we ... far from desiring more, not seeking often even necessary ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxiv woe unto you.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... it that the afflictions which he suffered were sent as a ... of the body than respecting
the diseases of the ... a few of the falsehoods that are often brought forward ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm

Rom. I. 26, 27
... sins, and more dishonored, than the body in diseases. ... For we have been sent to dispatch
many affairs ... that admires things ridiculous, will himself often be such ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily iv rom i 26.htm

The Wages of Sin (Chapel Royal June, 1864)
... punishment of his sin; or, quite as often, that the ... makes up his mind to that: but
being sent to hell ... conquer old bad habits, and cure old diseases of character ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon iv the wages of.htm

Acts xii. 18, 19
... "So they being sent forth by ... if at any time necessity comes upon us, nay, often only
from ... spend so much money to one's own hurt"the diseases, the infirmities ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxvii acts xii 18.htm

2 Cor. Iv. 8, 9
... and have enveloped their bodies with a thousand diseases? ... portion of toils and reward;
yea, often, on the ... the Patriarch and begged that Lazarus might be sent! ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily ix 2 cor iv.htm

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... the eve of the Sabbath when he returned from the Synagouge, and that for every precept
he observed God sent him a ... Thus, as diseases were often ascribed to ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

The Three Facts of Salvation
... especially with which the word salvation is most often connected and to ... He is to
heal our diseases, and we are to ... And the man who has never sent up the question ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/the three facts of salvation.htm

The Healing of the Man Born Blind.
... A symbolism, this, of Him Who was the Sent of the ... Such could only be done in diseases
of the internal ... Thus, as so often, the machinations of the enemies of ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ix the healing of.htm

The Monk Nilus.
... It happened that a viceroy, sent from Constantinople, who ... hunger and thirst, would
he often arrive at ... of those who suffered from mental diseases, (regarded in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/the monk nilus.htm