BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES

OF HEALTH
 Old Testament Perspectives of Health
• A. Moses gave the Laws of Health to the Israelites (these laws were from
God) Leviticus chapter 11-15, etc.
• Public health researchers are impressed to find out that public health
concerns today were already taught by Moses centuries ago and were
included in the Old Testament health codes. These health codes include:
• Personal and community responsibility for public health
• Control and containment of communicable diseases
• Isolation of lepers
• Avoiding touching of unclean objects
• Dietary restriction and proper
food
• Protection of food
• Disinfection of all contaminated
articles
• Personal cleanliness
• Purification of women after
childbirth
• Protection of water supplies
• Sewage disposal
• Disinfection by fire and water
and other solution
• Sanitation of campsites
• Rest and recreation
• Work and exercise
• Sexual morality
• Avoidance of overcrowding
• Proper diet and dietary laws
• Disposal of the dead
• Sterilization of fomites (Num
31:21 -24)
• Sexual hygiene (Lev 18:22, 23)
• —L. Van Dolson and R. Spangler,
Healthy, Happy, Holy, p. 18
MOSES —the Father of Preventive Medicine
• Moses is considered by modem public health authorities as: the
"Greatest Hygienist," and the "Greatest Sanitary Engineer" of the
ancient world, and suggest that he might be considered the "Father of
Preventive Medicine." -Donald G. Dawe, "Moses, the Father of
Preventive Medicine," Minnesota Medicine, XLVII January, 1964,), p.
18.
• Although the Hebrews were far behind from their neighbors in
knowledge of medicine, yet the testimonies of authorities reveal that:
• Generally speaking, the Israelites were a healthy and vigorous nation. Tacitus himself,
who was by no means prejudiced in their favor admits this: "The fortunate j result of a
healthy climate, a frugal diet and a simple life" "Henry Daniel-Pops. Daily life in the
Times of Jesus, p. 313.
• Rev. Thomas H. Nelson, former President of the American Bible School, in his book, The
Mosaic Law in the Light of Modern Science,. states:
• After submitting the Mosaic law to the most rigid tests of modem scientific standards.
• the writer is convinced that Moses himself is a true modem—a radical scientist of
• the most advanced school.
• He is even leading most of our present day scientists in the popular and important
• studies of bacteriology, psychology, physiology, hygiene, botanic chemistry, practical
• eugenics, sanitary sciences, quarantine principles, .Zoology, geology, astronomy.
• etc.
• David Ben-Gurion of Israel, former Prime Minister, stated at the
Jubilee Celebration of Israel's Medical Association, that:
• Israel has the lowest death rate in the world" (i.e.. the highest life
expectancy).
• Exodus 15:16
• "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."
• Deuteronomy 6:24
• "And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes... for our good
always that he might preserve us alive."
• Exodus 23:25
• "And ye shall serve the Lord your God.... And I will take sickness away
from the midst of thee."
• These commandments—not only health laws but all the laws of God
—moral and health laws, are the laws of health and life. Obedience
means life and health, disobedience means disease and death.
• (Read Deui chapters 28- 30, Curses and Blessings, Life and Death)
 New Testament Perspectives of Health
• A. Jesus' Works and Teaching
• Matt9:35:Man4:23
• "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every'
sickness and even' disease among the people."
• Matt. 10:1 (to the disciples)
• "And 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 diseases."
• Luke 10:1,9 (to the 70)
• "And heal the sick that are therein and say unto them, the kingdom of God
is come .soon you."
• Matt. 28:18-20: Mark 16:15-18(the "weal commission")
• "'All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Ghost. "Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I
• am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
• "And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they
cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up
serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them:
they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."
 The Disciples' Work and Teaching
• Acts 5:16: Acts 3:7: Acts l4:H: Acts 19:11-12, etc.
• "There came multitude out of the cities... bringing sick folks, and them
which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one."
• 3 John 2
• " Beloved 1 wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in
health as they soul prospereth."
• I Corinthians 3: 16, I7
• " Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God
dwelleth in
• you? If anyone defile the temple of God him shall God destroy: for the
temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."
• Revelation 22:2 ( the promise of healing)
• "And in the midst of the street of it, and either side of the
river, was there the tree of life, which bears twelve manner of
fruits and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the
tree were for the healing of the nations."
• Revelation 21:4
• "God shall wipe all tears from their eyes and there shall be no
more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be
any more pain: for the former things are passed away."