November 29, 2021
“If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” Exodus 15:26
In our fallen, disease-ridden world, this seems like a statement of incredulity. It’s an absolutely astounding declaration from God to the children of Israel. It came just after their physical delivery from Egyptian captivity. In it, God identifies Himself as the Healer. Each of us need healing in one or more facets of our persons: physical, mental/emotional, social, and spiritual (our relationship with God). Each of these areas combine to sum up our overall wellness.
The words translated put and brought (opening verse above) in the original Hebrew context are not in the active verb form, but passive, meaning allow. Without this understanding, a cursory reading might mistakenly paint a picture of God as one who actively causes illness. The foundational concept here emphasizes our choice to live under the umbrella of divine protection or not: to willfully step out from under it.
In the story of Job, a valuable object lesson is given to show just how ready our adversary is to inflict harm. Too often our underestimation—or obliviousness—of the enemy is exactly what leads us into subjection to him. God allowed Satan (Job 1:12, 2:6) to do what he did (within limits), and Job’s exemplary faith throughout the entire ordeal has been an encouragement to countless multitudes ever since.
In Deuteronomy, Moses repeated the lessons from earlier to the younger, alive, children of Israel. Some had undoubtedly not heard because of their parents who did not diligently heed the voice of the LORD and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:5).
Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep them and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock. And the LORD will take away from you all sickness… Deuteronomy 7:12,14-15a
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9:35