When Things are Hopeless, There are Friends!

Pandemics are not respectors of people. In every age throughout history disease has impacted the wealthy and the poor alike. The wealthy, because they travel to diverse regions and pick up sicknesses unknown at home. The poor, because they live in cramped quarters where disease spreads easily from house to house. We are experiencing this today with Coroanavirus, as we did in the past with the Ebola (2014), MERS (2012), Swine Flu (2009), SARS (2002), Hong Kong flu (1968), Spanish Flu (1918), Yellow Fever (1668, 1793, 1878, 1898)

The above diseases (and others) have resulted in terrible physical suffering, many deaths, and great loneliness. One of the results of sickness is isolation, whether self-imposed, brought about because of physical weakness, or caused by fear of infection (so people stop visiting). If a disease goes on long enough, acquaintances and friends stop visiting because their life has gone in other directions. (Friendship is often a two way street. If one of the friends is too sick to stay in contact, the other friend forgets to call).

But sometimes friends come from unexpected places. Consider the case of Naaman, commander of the armies of Ben-Hadad II of Syria in 850BC. This great man was stricken with the feared disease called Leprosy in the Bible (see my last blog post), a communicable disease which required quarantine. When his sickness was discovered, his friends backed away in fear, because it was contagious. Naaman was forced into isolation.

However, one of his wife’s servants, a slave-girl who was captured in Israel during one of Naaman’s raids, felt sorry for him. Crossing social, ethnic, religious, and strict social barriers, this girl sent a message to the great commander that she knew of a prophet in her home country that could bring him healing.

Naaman was ecstatic. He was willing to try anything to get well. He contacted King Ben-Hadad II, who sent an order for king Joram in Samaria to receive leoprous Naaman, and provide him proper introduction to the prophet-healer. Naaman took “ten talents of silver, six thousand shekel of gold and ten sets of clothing.” to provide for his healing.

King Joram, who had to meet Naaman was in fear of the disease. When his messenger gave Ben Hadad’s order to the king, he blurted out, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” And he dragged his feet, making the general with the feared disease wait.

But God spoke to Elisha, on behalf of the servant girl who befriended Naaman, and the prophet sent this message to the king, “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” King Joram gladly sent Naaman away to the prophet.

Naaman was told, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan,” a place considered a muddy creek by the aristocratic Syrians. Naaman debated, “Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” He turned away in rage, and headed home.

The Muddy Jordan River near where Jesus was baptized

But at the bequest of the servant-girl who befriended the great general, other servants told him, ““If the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” So Naaman went to the Jordan River and was cleansed. (2 Kings 5)

The Bible never records whether Naaman thanked or freed the servant-girl. She risked her life out of obedience to God, who desires for us to befriend others who are in need. It does not matter if we like them or if they like us. It does not matter if they are above us or below us in status. They are people in need. As the Coronavirus takes hold in our community, we need to listen for needs, and help our neighbors. Look for people who are sick, and get them help. Look for people out of work and meet their needs. Look for those in fear, and bring calmness for their spirits. Be a neighbor and a friend, like the servant-girl in this time of need.

The big thing is to hear God. I speak more about this in my book: Spring: Connecting with God. If you have time during the crisis, read this book, available in paperback or on kindle reader.

Self Quarantine in the Bible

Self Isolation orders are being imposed in the United States and around the world. This methodology is being used to fight a terrible disease. This is not the first time social distancing has been used for protection of society and personal safety. Self and community imposition of restricted movement can be found in many places and for many reasons in Scripture.

The Desert of Zin, a place Israel might have visited when distanced.

Government ordered restrictions for health reasons were imposed by Moses in the Bible. The disease of the day that brought about the need for isolation was leprosy. This highly communicable disease begins with “a swelling or a rash or a shiny spot” on the skin. Anyone infected must go to the Priest for testing. If the test is positive, “the priest is to isolate the affected person” for fourteen days, with a visit for observation in the middle. (Numbers 13)

Social distancing was imposed on people with confirmed leprosy until they were either cured or died. There were enough people with the disease in Israel that colonies were formed. (2 Kings 7:3) The diseased person was ordered to “wear torn clothes and let his hair hang loose, and he must cover his mouth and cry out, 'Unclean, unclean!'” (Leviticus 13:45) The quarantined person was forced to live outside the city. Some of these people eventually came together and formed a community of illness.

Forced quarantine was imposed on people for a multitude of reasons in the Bible. One interesting case is that of Noah and his family (Genesis 6-9). God placed Noah and his family into isolation in an ark in order to prevent an infection from evil that had become rampant in the world. The healthy family was placed in an Ark, so they would not be infected. They were confined for almost a year before they were released.

In a similar fashion, the Hebrew people were isolated from the world during their forty year journey in the wilderness. Through Israel’s social distancing God was able to create a nation of people who were taught about healthy living while in the desert. Moses instructed this band of former slaves in all matters of wellness: spiritual, mental, social and physical health.

The Bible tells of many people who choose to self-isolate for wellness and betterment in life. It should be noted that these people had a plan when they went into seclusion. They had a dream of using their time apart from others that would better them. The Bible tells of how Jesus socially distanced himself (and sometimes his disciples) many times. These were to prepare the teacher for times of trials, or when strength is needed.

It appears to me that troublesome days are upon our nation. Many have gone into isolation (by force or by choice). We could all use a plan that will help us come through these days of trial for the better and not for the worse. Spring: Connecting with God tells about things that will make a nation strong in times of crises.