What does the Bible say about COVID-19?

Jesus forewarned of pestilence when He described the

end time
The word translated “pestilence” is often translated as
“plague” or “disaster” in new versions of the English
Bible.

There will be great earthquakes, and in various

places famines and pestilences. And there will
be terrors and great signs from heaven. Luke 21:11

Today, many are stressed with what is happening in

relation to COVID-19. Suddenly normal life stops on a
global scale.

Most businesses have closed, religious services interrupted,

schools and other establishments cannot operate, public
transportation cancelled and people are deprived of the
basic services and functions for a wholesome living. People
are ordered to stay at home with some exemption.
Extended quarantine as it is called but is actually close to a
total lock down.
Where do we go from here? Will the situation be worsened?
Can we recover? Or, will the situation bring us down as
economy and people's health goes down uncontrollably?

Here are some biblical principles that we might

need to consider as we draw our responses to
these questions.

1. Careful readers of the Old Testament,

particularly the Holiness Code in Leviticus 17-
26, will notice that God is concerned with
humanity’s holistic well-being. This is the
reason why lepers are asked to live outside
the camp (Lev 13:26) not because they are
spiritually unclean; God simply wanted to
prevent the spread of leprosy among the
Israelites. The presence of lepers in the
community threatens their shalom, so they
are asked to limit their social presence and
involvement.

2. Second, Christians need to consider the wider

community in decision-making. Paul told the
Corinthian believers: “everything is
permissible, but not everything is beneficial”
(1 Cor 6:12). What one might consider as
 harmless to the self might be detrimental to
others. By insisting our individual preferences,
we may fail to act in love (Rom 14:15). We
must make sure that our decisions and
actions consider the well-being of the
community we belong to. We must be willing
to refrain from doing things that endanger
the life and well-being of others, even if they
may be harmless or even good to us
personally.

3. Third, the church must become a part of the

solution, and not be another problem. The
church must participate in this noble effort.
By not intentionally gathering people, we will
help minimize or stop the spread of the virus.
Instead of insisting on what God can do for us,
we must think how God can use us for our
country and for others.

4. In these trying times, let us all remember

God’s words through the Apostle Paul:
 Do not be anxious about anything, but in
“6

every situation, by prayer and petition, with

thanksgiving, present your requests to
God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4: 6-7).