In the biblical narrative, diseases are often depicted as visitations from God, serving as instruments of divine judgment, correction, or testing. The Scriptures provide numerous instances where illnesses are directly associated with God's sovereign will, either as a response to sin or as a means to fulfill His divine purposes.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, diseases frequently appear as consequences of disobedience to God's commandments. The covenantal relationship between God and Israel included blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, as outlined in Deuteronomy 28. Verses 15-22 detail the curses, including diseases, that would befall Israel if they failed to obey God's laws: "But if you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you... The LORD will make the plague cling to you until He has exterminated you from the land you are entering to possess" (Deuteronomy 28:15, 21).

The plagues of Egypt, as recorded in the book of Exodus, serve as another prominent example. These plagues, including boils and other afflictions, were direct acts of God against Pharaoh and the Egyptians to compel the release of the Israelites (Exodus 9:8-12). Here, disease functions as a divine tool to demonstrate God's power and to execute judgment on those who oppose His will.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the perception of disease as a divine visitation continues, though with a nuanced understanding through the ministry of Jesus Christ. While Jesus healed many who were sick, demonstrating His authority over illness and His compassion for the afflicted, He also acknowledged the role of suffering in God's plan. In John 9:1-3, when questioned about a man born blind, Jesus responded, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him" (John 9:3). This passage suggests that, while not all diseases are direct punishments for sin, they can serve a higher purpose in revealing God's glory.

The early church also grappled with the concept of illness as a form of divine discipline. In 1 Corinthians 11:29-30, Paul warns the Corinthian believers about the consequences of partaking in the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner: "For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 11:29-30). Here, sickness is portrayed as a corrective measure intended to lead believers to repentance and spiritual renewal.

Theological Implications

The biblical portrayal of diseases as visitations underscores the sovereignty of God over all aspects of life, including health and illness. It reflects the belief that God is actively involved in the world and uses various means, including disease, to accomplish His purposes. This understanding calls for a response of humility, repentance, and trust in God's ultimate wisdom and goodness.

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of disease as a potential divine visitation, it also emphasizes God's mercy and the hope of healing and restoration. Believers are encouraged to seek God's intervention through prayer, as seen in James 5:14-15: "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick" (James 5:14-15). This passage highlights the power of faith and community in addressing illness, while recognizing God's role as the ultimate healer.Job 2:7-10
So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to his crown.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 38:2,7
For your arrows stick fast in me, and your hand presses me sore.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Footnotes
... love and sweetness, and hath been pleased to give me visitations of love ... different
ways, these and similar opinions, which were justly regarded as subversive ...
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