WHAT DOES JESUS GOD (JOHN 8:24) TEACH ABOUT THE HANDLING OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES?

In the era of the novel Coronavirus of 2019, known as COVID-19, almost all the spiritual leaders promise safety from God Almighty to churchgoers against the advice for lockdowns of businesses including places of worship to stop the spread of the novel or new virus. The virus killed some of those spiritual leaders who do not know the word of God or else, which would make the pagans doubt the Word of God Almighty in protecting His flock or, rather, make us realize that any spiritual leader who ignores the advice of the health authorities in a plague or a pandemic is misguided and misguiding his/her flock. Not all spiritual leaders really know the will of the true God Almighty in the Torah (Old Testament). Many are not true shepherds representing God or Jesus. Do not marvel at that statement because the Bible does speak of Satan and his false prophets who are disguised as angels of light. In other words, not all spiritual leaders or churches are necessarily leaders or churches of Jesus (God) that are guided by the Spirit of Jesus God Almighty. You have been warned.

(13) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. (15) It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ASV

As we can learn from the example of the fate of the faithful but stubborn servant of God King Josiah, we must listen in matters like public health to the pagan authorities .

The good and faithful King Josiah died at an early age because he was too proud to recognize the voice of God through the words of the uncircumcised pagan Egyptian king Neco. As such, in His impenetrable wisdom, Jesus did not protect the life of the King because He cared not to listen to Him.

(22) Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Neco from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo. (23) And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. (24) So his servants took him out of the chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had, and brought him to Jerusalem; and he died, and was buried in the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. 2 Chronicles 35:22-24 ASV

The Bible is clear on how to handle infectious diseases. We are not going to find a detailed expose on every infectious disease on earth, but we can use the same principles which the Torah (Old Testament) decreed long ago to handle the infectious disease.

Surprisingly, Jesus God Almighty must have inspired the pagan authorities because their recommendations are those of the Bible.

The Bible calls for complete isolation of the infected person when the disease is confirmed and thorough verification by the priest, not the king, that the person is no longer infectious or is cured, before being readmitted into society. Again, nowadays, we have Doctors to make the assessment not priests. If the infectious person has to do some errands in the society, they must warn all who are around that an infectious person is passing through so that the others can take proper precautions. Leviticus 13 and 14 detail the recommendations on how

to handle infectious diseases in general based on the example of leprosy. Note that at that time, Jesus did not offer His supernatural powers to cure the infectious disease, for obvious reasons. What would they do when they turn their back on Jesus?

Therefore, the Torah does not allow infected persons to congregate with others since they were to be isolated, quarantined. or follow social distancing guidelines.

(34) And the priest shall look on the scab on the seventh day. And, behold, if the scab has not spread in the skin, and its appearance is not deeper than the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. And he shall wash his garments, and shall be clean. Leviticus 13:34 LITV.

(45) And the leper who has the plague in him, his garments shall be torn, and his head shall be uncovered, and he shall cover the upper lip; and he shall call out, Unclean! Unclean! (46) And the days that the plague shall be in him, he is unclean; he shall live alone, he is unclean; his dwelling shall be at the outside of the camp. Leviticus 13:45-46 LITV

Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so ye shall observe to do.  Deuteronomy 24:8 ASV