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Sickness.

From: The New Topical Textbook

By: Reuben Archer Torrey

• 2 min. read • grade level: 12

Sent by God. Deut. 28:59-61⁵⁹Then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance. ⁶⁰Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee. ⁶¹Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the Lord bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. (Deuteronomy 28:59‑61). Deut. 32:39³⁹See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. (Deuteronomy 32:39). 2 Sam. 12:15¹⁵And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. (2 Samuel 12:15). Acts 12:23²³And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. (Acts 12:23).

The devil sometimes permitted to inflict. Job 2:6, 7⁶And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. ⁷So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. (Job 2:6‑7). Luke 9:39³⁹And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. (Luke 9:39). Luke 13:16¹⁶And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? (Luke 13:16).

Often brought on by intemperance. Hos. 7:5⁵In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners. (Hosea 7:5).

Often sent as a punishment of sin. Lev. 26:14-16¹⁴But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; ¹⁵And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: ¹⁶I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. (Leviticus 26:14‑16). 2 Chr. 21:12-15¹²And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah, ¹³But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself: ¹⁴Behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: ¹⁵And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day. (2 Chronicles 21:12‑15). 1 Cor. 11:30³⁰For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (1 Corinthians 11:30).

One of God's four sore judgments on a guilty land. Ezek. 14:19-21¹⁹Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: ²⁰Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness. ²¹For thus saith the Lord God; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? (Ezekiel 14:19‑21).

GOD

Promises to heal. Ex. 23:25²⁵And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. (Exodus 23:25). 2 Kin. 20:5.

Heals. Deut. 32:39³⁹See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. (Deuteronomy 32:39). Psa. 103:3³Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; (Psalm 103:3). Isa. 38:5, 9⁵Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. (Isaiah 38:5)
⁹The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness: (Isaiah 38:9).

Exhibits His mercy in healing. Phi. 2:27.

Exhibits His power in healing. Luke 5:17¹⁷And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. (Luke 5:17).

Exhibits His love in healing. Isa. 38:17¹⁷Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. (Isaiah 38:17).

Often manifests saving grace to sinners during. Job 33:19-24¹⁹He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: ²⁰So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. ²¹His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. ²²Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. ²³If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness: ²⁴Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. (Job 33:19‑24). Psa. 107:17-21¹⁷Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. ¹⁸Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. ¹⁹Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. ²⁰He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. ²¹Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107:17‑21).

Permits saints to be tried by. Job 2:5, 6⁵But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. ⁶And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. (Job 2:5‑6).

Strengthens saints in. Psa. 41:3³The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. (Psalm 41:3).

Comforts saints in. Psa. 41:3³The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. (Psalm 41:3).

Hears the prayers of those in. Psa. 30:2²O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. (Psalm 30:2). Psa. 107:18-20¹⁸Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. ¹⁹Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. ²⁰He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. (Psalm 107:18‑20).

Preserves saints in time of. Psa. 91:3-7³Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. ⁴He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. ⁵Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; ⁶Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. ⁷A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (Psalm 91:3‑7).

Abandons the wicked to. Jer. 34:17¹⁷Therefore thus saith the Lord; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbor: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. (Jeremiah 34:17).

Persecutes the wicked by. Jer. 29:18¹⁸And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them: (Jeremiah 29:18).

Healing of, lawful on the Sabbath. Luke 13:14-16¹⁴And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. ¹⁵The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? ¹⁶And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? (Luke 13:14‑16).

Christ compassionated those in. Isa. 53:4⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4), with Matt. 8:16, 17¹⁶When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: ¹⁷That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. (Matthew 8:16‑17).

CHRIST HEALED,

Being present. Mar. 1:31. Matt. 4:23²³And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23).

Not being present. Matt. 8:13¹³And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. (Matthew 8:13).

By imposition of hands. Mar. 6:5. Luke 13:13¹³And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. (Luke 13:13).

With a touch. Matt. 8:3³And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Matthew 8:3).

Through the touch of His garment. Matt. 14:35, 36³⁵And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; ³⁶And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. (Matthew 14:35‑36). Mar. 5:27-34.

With a word. Matt. 8:8, 13⁸The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. (Matthew 8:8)
¹³And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. (Matthew 8:13).

Faith required in those healed of, by Christ. Matt. 9:28, 29²⁸And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. ²⁹Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. (Matthew 9:28‑29). Mar. 5:34. Mar. 10:52.

Often incurable by human means. Deut. 28:27²⁷The 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. (Deuteronomy 28:27). 2 Chr. 21:18¹⁸And after all this the Lord smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. (2 Chronicles 21:18).

The Apostles were endued with power to heal. Matt. 10:1¹And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. (Matthew 10:1). Mar. 16:18, 20.

THE POWER OF HEALING

One of the miraculous gifts bestowed on the early Church. 1 Cor. 12:9, 30⁹To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; (1 Corinthians 12:9)
³⁰Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:30). James 5:14, 15¹⁴Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: ¹⁵And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:14‑15).

SAINTS

Acknowledge that, comes from God. Psa. 31:1-8¹<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. ²Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. ³For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. ⁴Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. ⁵Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. ⁶I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the Lord. ⁷I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; ⁸And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room. (Psalm 31:1‑8). Isa. 38:12, 15¹²Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me. (Isaiah 38:12)
¹⁵What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul. (Isaiah 38:15).

Are resigned under. Job 2:10¹⁰But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. (Job 2:10).

Mourn under, with prayer. Isa. 38:14¹⁴Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me. (Isaiah 38:14).

Pray for recovery from. Isa. 38:2, 3²Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, ³And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. (Isaiah 38:2‑3).

Ascribe recovery from, to God. Isa. 38:20²⁰The Lord was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the Lord. (Isaiah 38:20).

Praise God for recovery from. Psa. 103:1-3¹<<A Psalm of David.>> Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. ²Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: ³Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; (Psalm 103:1‑3). Isa. 38:19¹⁹The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth. (Isaiah 38:19). Luke 17:15¹⁵And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, (Luke 17:15).

Thank God publicly for recovery from. Isa. 38:20²⁰The Lord was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the Lord. (Isaiah 38:20). Acts 3:8⁸And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:8).

Feel for others in. Psa. 35:13¹³But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. (Psalm 35:13).

Visit those in. Matt. 25:36³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (Matthew 25:36).

Visiting those in, an evidence of belonging to Christ. Matt. 25:34, 36, 40³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (Matthew 25:34)
³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (Matthew 25:36)
⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40).

Pray for those afflicted with. Acts 28:8⁸And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. (Acts 28:8). James 5:14, 15¹⁴Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: ¹⁵And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:14‑15).

God's aid should be sought in. 2 Chr. 16:12¹²And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. (2 Chronicles 16:12).

THE WICKED

Have much sorrow, &c. with. Ecc. 5:17.

Forsake those in. 1 Sam. 30:13¹³And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick. (1 Samuel 30:13).

Visit not those in. Matt. 25:43⁴³I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. (Matthew 25:43).

Not visiting those in, an evidence of not belonging to Christ. Matt. 25:43, 45⁴³I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. (Matthew 25:43)
⁴⁵Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (Matthew 25:45).

Illustrative of sin. Lev. 13:45, 46⁴⁵And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. ⁴⁶All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be. (Leviticus 13:45‑46). Isa. 1:5⁵Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. (Isaiah 1:5). Jer. 8:22²²Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? (Jeremiah 8:22). Matt. 9:12¹²But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. (Matthew 9:12).

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The New Topical Textbook

• Scorning and Mocking.

• Scorpion, the.

• Scriptures, the.

• Sealing of the Holy Ghost.

• Second Coming of Christ, the.

• Seeking God.

• Self-Delusion.

• Self-Denial.

• Self-Examination.

• Self-Righteousness.

• Self-Will and Stubbornness.

• Selfishness.

• Sickness.

• Sidonians, the.

• Simeon, the Tribe of.

• Simplicity.