The year 2020 has been extremely challenging to the human race. Not only have there been more hurricanes than ever before, more wildfires raging through California, a extremely contagious disease has plagued us all year.  The virus Covid-19 came to our country via China, and has continued its relentless march across our great country.  Many people have died as a direct result of contracting this disease, and millions have won the battle and survived.

 

It occurred to me that the Covid-19 virus and the disease of Leprosy have a lot in common  Consider leprosy back in Biblical days.  Leprosy has terrified humanity since ancient times, and was reported as early as 600 BC in India, China, and Egypt  The term “leprosy” occurs 68 times in the Bible – 55 times in the Old Testament, and 13 times in the New Testament.

 

This disease was considered the worst fate that a person could suffer because it was rarely fatal, but lasted for years, gradually consuming flesh and muscles of the human body.  There was no cure.  In fact, it was considered punishment sent by God due to the commission of a sin.  Thus, it was not considered medical, but a spiritual condition, thus treatable by a Priest.

 

Leprosy victims in Jesus' day were considered sinful and were thus cast out of the cities into Leper colonies to live with other victims of the disease. They were considered unclean, and had to ring a bell and yell “unclean” everywhere they went in public.  They were naturally shunned by society and had to rely on the Priest for treatment.  We now know that this disease was spread by droplets released by sneezing or coughing.  It was, thus, highly contagious.

 

Now, consider the Covid-19 virus.  It is very contagious and is spread by sneezing or coughi8ng. There is no cure for the disease, just treatment of the symptoms. People with this disease are shunned, and required to shelter in their homes for weeks, or languish in a hospital.  Entire cities have been partially shut down to try and slow down the virus.  People are now required to wear masks over their noses and mouths when out in public.
Large public gatherings are discouraged.

 

To me, the facts of the two diseases are definitely similar.  Disease is a constant reminder of just how much things have changed since God pronounced a curse on the earth. At first, everything was “very good”, but Adam's sin brought death and decay into the world.  Two of the most well-known examples of debilitating diseases in this sin-cursed creation are Leprosy and Covid-19.  To me, the similarities are notable.

COVID-19 vs LEPROSY

By:  Neal Murphy

PO Box 511
259 CR 214
San Augustine, Texas 75972
936-275-9033
Cell: 936-275-6986

444 Words