Page 14 - May 2026 - Truth & Tidings

Introduction obedience to His Word, “giv[ing] ear to
Exodus 15 gives the background to his commandments” (Exo 15:26).
God’s revealing Himself as the Lord In anticipation of their occupying Ca-
who heals. The people of Israel had fled naan, the Lord promised them bread and
Egypt, the Red Sea had been negotiated, water, “and I will take sickness away from
1
and the song of triumph had been sung. the midst of thee” (23:25). Again, the
However, the wilderness journey had promised blessing was dependent on loy-
just started when danger signals flashed. alty to Jehovah (v24). These blessings were
Every difficulty they encountered evoked part of the bundle of benefits with which
a sour spirit and this was manifested in God endowed His earthly people. They
rebellious language. This was the case enjoyed physical comforts and prosperity
at Marah where the Lord proved them if there was submission to His commands.
and they didn’t exactly come through The psalmist said of Him, “Who healeth
with honors! So God gave warning: if all thy diseases” (Psa 103:3).
they were to avoid the prevalent diseases The New Testament
of Egypt and, in particular, the plagues
with which God had afflicted the land, Perspective
they would have to obey His commands We live in a different age and our bless-
(Exo 15:22-26). ings are described in spiritual terms rather
Egypt was an idolatrous nation (Exo than physical. Because of the stroke of
12:12), and from ancient times every vice judgment that fell on the Savior, we have
imaginable was connected with idolatry, experienced salvation, a spiritual healing
because God gave them up (Rom 1:18- (1Pe 2:24), yet holiness and godliness do
32). His wrath was revealed in that He not exempt believers from physical illness.
placed no obstacles across “the way of Dorcas was full of good works yet she fell
the ungodly” (Psa 1:6). He allowed them sick (Act 9:36-37). Paul had “a thorn in the
full rein and said, in effect, “If that’s the flesh” (2Co 12:7). Epaphroditus was “sick
way you want it, that’s the way you can nigh unto death” (Php 2:27). Trophimus
have it, but there are consequences.” The was left at Miletum sick (2Ti 4:20). Timo-
consequences of a reckless lifestyle are not thy had a chronic stomach ailment (1Ti
only eternal, but right now people reap a 5:23). None of those mentioned could be
harvest of pain and distress as they are charged with disloyalty, worldliness or
subjected to physical and psychological carnality, and yet they contracted infir-
health issues induced by loose living. mities. In the Christian era, obedience to
Promiscuity, drunkenness and addictions the Word of God is no defense against
all invite disorders of mind and body. disease. Having said that, we could be
The Lord who heals was teaching that careless about our physical condition. For
preventative medicine is more valuable
than curative medicine, and the immu- 1 Bible quotations in this article are from the
nization against Egyptian diseases was KJV.

142 TRUTH kTidings May 2026