Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, sickness is often understood as a part of the human experience that is under the sovereign control of God. The saints, those who are set apart for God's purposes, recognize that sickness can be a tool used by God for various reasons, including discipline, testing, or the demonstration of His power and glory.Job's Affliction The account of Job is a profound example of a saint acknowledging that sickness and suffering come from God. Job, described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), experiences severe physical afflictions. Despite his suffering, Job acknowledges God's sovereignty, saying, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). Job's response to his afflictions reflects a deep understanding that his circumstances, including his sickness, are within God's control. Moses and Miriam In Numbers 12, Miriam, the sister of Moses, is struck with leprosy as a result of her rebellion against Moses' leadership. Moses cries out to the LORD for her healing, saying, "O God, please heal her!" (Numbers 12:13). This incident illustrates that sickness can be a direct consequence of sin, yet it is also an opportunity for intercession and divine healing, acknowledging God's ultimate authority over health and sickness. Hezekiah's Illness King Hezekiah's illness, as recorded in 2 Kings 20, is another instance where sickness is acknowledged as coming from God. The prophet Isaiah tells Hezekiah, "Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover" (2 Kings 20:1). Hezekiah's subsequent prayer and God's response to extend his life by fifteen years demonstrate that God is both the source of the sickness and the healer, emphasizing His control over life and death. Paul's Thorn in the Flesh The Apostle Paul speaks of a "thorn in the flesh" in 2 Corinthians 12:7, which many scholars interpret as a physical ailment. Paul describes it as "a messenger of Satan to torment me," yet he acknowledges that it was given to him to prevent pride. He pleads with the Lord to remove it, but God responds, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). This passage highlights the belief that God allows sickness for a purpose, and His grace is sufficient to sustain the believer through it. The Purpose of Sickness Throughout Scripture, sickness is sometimes portrayed as a means of discipline or a test of faith. Hebrews 12:6 states, "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives" . This perspective suggests that sickness can be a form of divine discipline, intended to bring about spiritual growth and reliance on God. Divine Healing and Sovereignty While sickness is acknowledged as coming from God, the Bible also affirms God's power to heal. James 5:14-15 encourages the sick to call for the elders of the church to pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. This practice underscores the belief in God's sovereignty over sickness and His ability to heal according to His will. In summary, the saints in the Bible recognize that sickness is under God's sovereign control, serving various divine purposes. Whether as a test, a form of discipline, or an opportunity for God's power to be displayed, sickness is ultimately acknowledged as coming from God, with the assurance that He is also the healer and sustainer of His people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 31:1-8In you, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in your righteousness. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 38:12,15 Library God's Barriers against Man's Sin God's Sovereignty and Prayer The Great Misery of those who Lose the Saints' Rest. The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation Christ Crucified Matt. vii. 28 The Christian Described Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. The Loved Ones Chastened Heavenly Contemplation Assisted by Sensible Objects, and Guarded ... Resources Why does God allow sickness? | GotQuestions.orgIs Sunday sickness a real thing? | GotQuestions.org What is spiritual sickness? What does it mean to be spiritually sick? | 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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