Plague

Plague

On November 11, 2020 the UK passed 50,000 deaths from Covid-19. Globally over 1.2 million people from 191 regions or countries have died. There have been more than 52 million cases of the coronavirus pandemic already.

Whenever the plague came upon the people in the Old Testament, it was always due to sin. The ten plagues came to Egypt when pharaoh refused to acknowledge or obey God’s command to release his people who were unjustly enslaved and oppressed. Each time, Moses prayed and the plague would resolve until the tenth one.

In the wilderness the plague came when the people of Israel worshiped idols (a gold calf). “Then the Lord sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf, the one that Aaron made.” Exodus 32:35 ESV

The plague also came in the wilderness when they were grumbling against God in their demands for meat and a return to slavery in Egypt. Moses made a bronze serpent and they looked up, shifted focus and were saved (Numbers 11).

Aaron intervened to stop a plague after the people rebelled against God and Aaron’s leadership, against God’s choice of Aaron for the priesthood.

“So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped.” Numbers 16:47-48 ESV

David sinned by organising a self appointed census, having been warned not to do so. The plague came and David prayed and offered up sacrifices in the field of Ornan the Jebusite (1 Chronicles 21:26-27).

Phinehas intervened (see Psalm 106:30) to halt a plague which came because the Israelites worshiped Baal instead of worshipping the living God. The Israelites were breaking their agreement with God and instead followed prostitution and the practices of the Midianites which were in direct opposition to God’s instructions for them. (See Numbers 25).

We as a people need to seek God’s face and intervene on behalf of our nation again. We have sinned, the nations have turned away from the living God and we can pray and ask for his forgiveness, his mercy, his compassion to stay the plague, to heal our land.

‘’if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land’’. 2 Chronicles 7:14

“The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk,”Revelation 9:20 ESV

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Simon’s lunch

The little boy and his lunch

Simon was only 12 but he was the most excited he had ever been in his life. He had just watched his simple lunch of tuna sandwiches for one, mega-sized into lunch for 5000 men and many more girls, boys and women! Wow! Now he was very glad he had listened to his instinct to volunteer his lunch. He remembered the 12 Followers asking if anyone had any food to share. He had looked longingly at his lunch, feeling his tummy rumble even as he thought about giving it all away. Eventually he had decided to do what his mom and dad had always taught him: share with those who need it. So he did. And look what happened! Not only was he super full, but he and 11 other lucky winners were going home with a basket each of sandwiches! He could have a party for his friends with all that food! Most of all he had made 13 new friends, Jesus and The Followers. He felt so happy and excited and content. From now on, he would never hesitate to share again with someone in need.