This now-dreaded disease, or rather lack of ability to resist diseases, is surely the judgment of God upon those who have given themselves over to practice all manner of "uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves." Rom. 1:24. Another sad consequence is that those who contract AIDS can transmit it to others through blood or body fluids. Even children have been affected in this way.
To God's earthly people, Israel, both solemn warnings and precious promises were given. One of the curses for disobedience was, "The Lord will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed." Deut. 28:27. In contrast to this the Lord had promised in Ex. 15:26, "If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”
Egypt in Scripture is a type of the world. God is sovereign over all and can and does bring judgment upon the world when and how His righteousness demands that it should come. Surely it is evident today that God is acting in judgment to restrain the gross evil of licentious sinners. However, we know that God is gracious and longsuffering that not every sickness in a person's life is the direct result of a specific sin for which judgment comes quickly. Nevertheless, we see clearly in these things that, "God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Gal. 6:7, 8. Also it is evident that man is not evolving upward but rather degrading himself downward. Sin's wages are always downward unto death. (Rom. 6:23.)
There is a very precious promise given today for godliness. It is this: "Godliness is profitable unto all
things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." 1 Tim. 4:8. Also in chapter 5:22 it says, "Neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure." May we as true Christians follow carefully this good, wholesome and holy instruction. Ed.