Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, sickness is often portrayed as a consequence of sin and disobedience to God. The Scriptures provide numerous instances where God allows or sends sickness as a form of judgment or discipline upon the wicked. This concept is rooted in the understanding of God's holiness and justice, where sin cannot go unpunished.Divine Retribution and Sickness The Bible frequently associates sickness with divine retribution. In Deuteronomy 28, God outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. Among the curses, sickness is prominently mentioned as a consequence for turning away from God's commandments. Deuteronomy 28:58-61 states, "If you are not careful to observe all the words of this law, which are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name—the LORD your God—then the LORD will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary disasters, severe and lasting plagues, and terrible and chronic sicknesses. He will bring upon you all the diseases of Egypt that you dreaded, and they will cling to you." Sickness as a Result of Sin The Psalms and Proverbs also reflect the belief that sickness can be a direct result of personal sin. In Psalm 38, David laments his physical afflictions, recognizing them as a consequence of his iniquity. Psalm 38:3-5 reads, "There is no soundness in my body because of Your anger; there is no rest in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds are foul and festering because of my sinful folly." Prophetic Warnings and Fulfillment The prophets frequently warned Israel and other nations of impending judgment, including sickness, due to their wickedness. In Jeremiah 30:12-15 , God speaks to the nation of Israel, saying, "For this is what the LORD says: 'Your injury is incurable; your wound is grievous. There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sores, no recovery for you. All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer seek you. For I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because your guilt is great and your sins are numerous. Why do you cry out over your injury? Your pain has no cure. Because of your great guilt and numerous sins, I have done these things to you.'" New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, the theme of sickness as a consequence of sin continues, though with a greater emphasis on spiritual healing and redemption through Christ. In John 5:14 , after healing a man at the pool of Bethesda, Jesus warns him, "See, you have been made well. Stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you." This indicates a link between sin and physical affliction, while also pointing to the possibility of forgiveness and healing. God's Sovereignty and Mercy While God may abandon the wicked to sickness as a form of judgment, the Bible also emphasizes His sovereignty and mercy. God is portrayed as a healer who desires repentance and restoration. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 , God promises healing to those who turn from their wicked ways: "And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." Thus, while sickness can be a manifestation of divine judgment upon the wicked, the overarching biblical narrative points to God's desire for repentance, healing, and reconciliation with His people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 34:17Therefore thus said the LORD; You have not listened to me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbor: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, said the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library He Abandons the School-Room. Remarkable Meeting Near Alexandria. ... Faustus Denies that Manich??ans Believe in Two Gods. Hyle no God. ... Sermons on Selected Lessons of the Gospels. Translated from Latin of Rufinus. Psalm XCI. Index. Eighth Tractate. On the Nature and Source of Evil. The Iranian Conquest Resources Is it sometimes God's will for believers to be sick? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is kingdom theology? | GotQuestions.org Why does God allow birth defects? | GotQuestions.org Sickness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sickness: Christ Compassionate Those In Sickness: Christ Healed by Imposition of Hands Sickness: Christ Healed with a Touch Sickness: Christ Healed with a Word Sickness: Christ Healed: Being Present Sickness: Christ Healed: Not Being Present Sickness: Christ Healed: Through the Touch of his Garment Sickness: Faith Required in Those Healed of, by Christ Sickness: God: Abandons the Wicked To Sickness: God: Comforts Saints In Sickness: God: Exhibits his Love in Healing Sickness: God: Exhibits his Mercy in Healing Sickness: God: Exhibits his Power in Healing Sickness: God: Hears the Prayers of Those In Sickness: God: Often Manifests Saving Grace to Sinners During Sickness: God: Permits Saints to be Tried By Sickness: God: Persecutes the Wicked By Sickness: God: Preserves Saints in Time of Sickness: God: Promises to Heal Sickness: God: Strengthens Saints In Sickness: God's Aid should be Sought In Sickness: Healing of, Lawful on the Sabbath Sickness: Not Visiting Those In, an Evidence of not Belonging to Christ Sickness: Often Brought on by Intemperance Sickness: Often Incurable by Human Means Sickness: Often Sent As a Punishment of Sin Sickness: One of God's Four Sore Judgments on a Guilty Land Sickness: Pray for Those Afflicted With Sickness: Saints are Resigned Under Sickness: Saints: Acknowledge That, Comes from God Sickness: Saints: Ascribe Recovery From, to God Sickness: Saints: Feel for Others In Sickness: Saints: Mourn Under, With Prayer Sickness: Saints: Praise God for Recovery From Sickness: Saints: Pray for Recovery From Sickness: Saints: Thank God Publicly for Recovery Form Sickness: Saints: Visit Those In Sickness: The Apostles Were Endued With Power to Heal Sickness: The Devil Sometimes Permitted to Inflict Sickness: The Power of Healing: One of the Miraculous Gifts Bestowed on the Early Church Sickness: The Wicked: Forsake Those In Sickness: The Wicked: Have Much Sorrow, With Sickness: The Wicked: Visit not Those In Sickness: Visiting Those In, an Evidence of Belonging to Christ Related Terms |
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