Suffering and sickness in the Bible – Part 25

Reasons For Believers’ Sickness (cont’)

“And at the end of the time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Highest and praised and honoured Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation.” (Dan 4:34)

4:34-37 “mine understanding returning unto me.”

Seven is a number of completion, so at the end of the seven seasons, Nebuchadnezzar’s understanding returned. He not only understood what had happened to him but also recognised the power, greatness and sovereignty of Daniel’s God, the Lord God of Israel.

• Herod (Read Acts 12:20-23)
“Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died,” Acts 12:23.

Herod died a horrible death accompanied by intense pain. He was literally eaten from the inside out by worms, while alive. To be eaten by worms was considered to be one of the most disgraceful ways to die. Pride is a serious sin and in this case, God chose to punish him immediately. God does not immediately punish all sins, but he will bring all to judgment (Heb. 9:27). Accept Christ’s offer of forgiveness today. No one can afford to wait.

(15) Punishment For Unjustly Criticising God’s Leaders
Miriam mocked Moses because he had an Ethiopian wife and she was stricken with leprosy (Numbers 12). The Syrian Army was sent by the King of Syria to capture Elisha the prophet and they were struck with blindness (2Kgs. 6:18). Bar-Jesus, a sorcerer, withstood Barnabas and Paul in an attempt to turn the proconsul away from the faith and he was struck with blindness (Acts 13:6-11).

• Miriam
“And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper.” (Num 12:10)

“Miriam became leprous.” The sin of Miriam and Aaron in questioning the authority of Moses was that they did not fear God or respect God’s word through His prophet, Moses. Moses was the mediator of the old convent, just as Jesus is the mediator of the new (cf. Heb. 3:2-6).

God spoke directly to Moses (v.8), and thus Moses’ word to the people was the authoritative word of God. Although Miriam and Aaron were leaders in Israel, they had no right to challenge the authority of Moses. Jesus as God showed them that they were not on the same level as Moses; so, believers today, have no right to put themselves on the same level as the scripture.

“I have exalted one chosen from the people with my holy oil. I have anointed him. I will beat down his foes before his fact and plaque those hate him.” (Ps. 89:19,20,23)

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