Solomon tells us that “. . . and there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecc. 1:9b).
Solomon, of course, had never heard of the “corona virus” which is causing mass confusion and fear/panic in the United States, and the world. But if Solomon had known of Corona Virus, it would not have changed his inspired words. Disease is not new — we just have a new name that we have to learn to pronounce.
Corona Virus is the latest of scary, deadly, “new” diseases. History is full of facts about scary things such as the deadly European bubonic plagues (“The Black Death”), smallpox, polio, “Spanish” and “Bird” and “Swine” flus, AIDS, SARS, etc., etc. The last “pandemic” disease was the “Spanish Flu” of 1918. It killed more than 20 million people worldwide, and more than half a million in the United States. We’ve not yet seen the full impact of Corona Virus, but the forecasts are not good. Hopefully, with prayers and common sense, we will not see “Spanish Flu” impact.
Before getting to Corona Virus, look back at all the historically famous diseases and realize that modern medicine has virtually eliminated each of them from our memory, and our sense of security.
I am not making light of Corona Virus, or of the frightening escalating speed of its spread, or of the caution by which we should deal with it. It is having very deadly impact — especially on our most vulnerable, and elderly, loved ones. But we should deal with it with level heads and sound judgment (as the Lord in the past has blessed us to do).
Now, back to Solomon’s wisdom: there is no new thing under the sun. Luke 17:11 tells about Jesus’ miraculous healing of the 10 lepers. It is for me, a spiritual lesson. However, it is relevant today, as a practical lesson for the Corona Virus.
When reading about the 10 lepers, you first should go back to the Old Testament book of Leviticus, chapters 13-14. There, the Lord instructed Moses how the nation of Israel was to deal with the then dreaded, deadly, disease of leprosy. No disease in the history of the world has impacted humans as leprosy did. Even today (two thousand-plus years later), we are still familiar with the insult of labeling someone as a “leper”.
Old Testament leprosy arose because of the terribly unsanitary conditions in which many people lived. Many brought disease upon themselves because of the immorality of their daily lives. The Lord knew the sin-nature and ignorance of His people; and through His wisdom and mercy, He gave them the Law so they could help themselves — not only with sanitation, but proper eating and moral living. He wanted His people “clean”.
As to leprosy, the Lord was the first to create the concept of a quarantine. He said the leprous man “is unclean. . . he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.” Lev. 13:46.
In addition, the Lord required diseased people to cover their mouths so as not to breath on others. And they had to warn others, visibly by their clothes, and orally by shouting, to keep their distance because they were “unclean”. Lev. 13:45.
That’s still good advice today. We should (1) cover our mouths to stop spread of disease, (2) warn others if we are sick, and (3) we should keep our distance from others we fear are diseased. God’s Law is good a medical advice today.
The Lord has wonderfully blessed us with the knowledge of appropriate sanitation and modern medical astuteness. He has blessed us with the intelligence to avoid deadly diseases, and separate ourselves from those who have it, whether it was carelessly, negligently, or innocently obtained. We should use that God-given knowledge and awareness on the Corona Virus in the same way He taught the Israelites.
Our medical experts will find a response to them Virus. Until they do, we need to follow what the Lord gave His people under the old Law.
In the last few days I have communicated with other Old Baptist ministers in different states, who are trying to address this matter within our churches. Research of Old Baptists has revealed that church service has been canceled for practical reasons: the 1918 Spanish Flu, natural disasters such as ice storms and floods, and war (Civil War troop invasion/occupations). Texas Old Baptists once brought their guns to church for protection against raiding Plains Indians (an historical fact not neglected in light of today’s “active shooters” in our church houses).
In summary, do not panic or stress out. Use the common sense the Lord has given us. Here are some suggestions:
— Perhaps temporarily forgo the traditional hand shakes or hugs, or meals in our churches. Cover our mouths when we cough or sneeze.
— If you are sick, or if you are elderly and have health issues, maybe skip church until this passes.
— listen to the service live on the internet, or ask for a recording to listen at home.
Each of us has the duty to make sure: (1) we do not carelessly jeopardize the health of another, and, (2) to find ways to help those who should not attend the service in person.
Remember, none of this is new to the Lord.
Use the practical, common sense He has given us. Look to Him, pray to Him, and trust Him.
“God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
— 2 Tim. 1:7
