A question we use to hear whispered frequently among ‘faith-filled-believers’ after people we prayed for did not show signs of improvement...was: “Why did they not get healed after we prayed for them?” (and if it wasn’t actually asked aloud, we all certainly thought it.) But the question you rarely ever hear asked is: “Why is there so much sickness?”

Welcome back to Day 2 of exploring further the subject of sickness and disease from a Biblical point of view; so if you missed yesterday’s post, may I encourage you to read it first? (3 John 2)

The first recorded instance of the word sickness in the Bible is found in Gen. 48:1 where Joseph is told his father, Jacob, is sick. We read in 47:29 that the ‘time drew near that Jacob (Israel) must die.” The Hebrew word there means “to become weak, ill, or sick”. We would later learn that the prophet, Elisha, would expire from a sickness when it was his time to die. (2 Kings 13:14). King Hezekiah faced a similar fate but then begged God for an ‘extension’ on his life, and God answered his prayer. (2 Chron. 32:24-26). As I shared with you yesterday, sickness has been around for some time.

But here is where it gets interesting. After Jacob died of his illness, we learn that all of his descendants moved to Egypt just prior to the time of the great famine where God has used Joseph to prepare for the coming crisis. Yet, over time, after Joseph died and new Pharaohs came to power, the Israelites began to increase in numbers and were viewed as a threat to the Egyptians who eventually made them into slaves where they remained in bondage for about 430 years.(Ex.12:40).

We read in Ex. 2:23-25 that over the course of time, the people began to groan because of their bondage and cried out; and their cry was heard by God, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham ...setting the wheels into motion for Him to deliver them. Enter- Moses, in chapter 3. You are probably familiar with the story how God raises up Moses to deal with Pharaoh and eventually leads the Israelites out of slavery from Egypt. After the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, God’s Spirit then leads them into the wilderness on the way to the promised land of Canaan. It is there where He plans on establishing them as a people unto Himself where He can bless them as they multiply in a land of peace and rest. FYI- this is all a blueprint for what God intended to do with all of humanity who were ‘slaves to sin’, except this time, instead of raising up a ‘Moses’, God sent His Son, Jesus, to set us free. (Luke 4:18; John 3:17)

Keep in mind, these people were not living as God intended for them to live when in bondage, and there was much for them to learn about this new life where God leads and rules and is truly ‘Lord’. The same could be said for us, as well.

If you would, please turn to Exodus 15 where we hear of a rather impressive promise that God makes to them after a water break in the desert. “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 statues, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians...for I am the Lord who heals you.” (26)

If you recall from previous posts, we talk about how that 2-letter word ‘if’ oftentimes suggest a ‘condition’ to a promise that is about to follow. And it sounds to me as if God is offering up a conditional promise here, that implies being free from disease is a good thing. What say you? Join me tomorrow?