If I had been born in biblical times, I would have probably not lived very well or very long, because of these things:
a.
Because of childhood ear infections and chronic tinnitus, I would
probably have been deaf.
b.
Childhood tonsillitis, measles, or mumps, or any
infection, could have led to death.
c.
My teeth would have been filled with cavities.
d.
Because of cataracts, Fuch’s dystrophy, and
macular degeneration, I would have become blind.
e.
Because of insulin resistance I would have eventually
suffered from diabetes.
f.
The bone spur which cut my rotator cuff would
have rendered my shoulder useless.
g.
My osteo-arthritis would have frozen most, or all, of my joints.
h.
My damaged meniscus in my knee would have given
me a limp.
i.
The stones in my gall bladder, which led to
gangrene, would have killed me.
j. The mycoplasma pneumonia would have killed me. Or any number of respiratory diseases.
k. My bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome would have rendered my hands useless.
l. My numerous pre-cancerous skin lesions would have eventually converted to full-blown cancer and led to my death.
m. Chronic allergic rhinitis would have led to a miserable existence.
n. You get the picture and you can probably add many of your own ailments to the list.
.
Television programs and movies about the Bible usually depict everyone as basically healthy. By our modern standards, they absolutely were not. The Bible names a few diseases and ailments, but does not touch on the common limitations the people of the time had to tolerate. It does encourage people to avail themselves of whatever medical treatments are available as a wise use of what God has provided.
Medical
knowledge during the biblical period was, by our modern standards, very limited and elementary. Paul advised Timothy to
use a "little wine" for his frequent stomach ailments. Medicinal
plants are mentioned, including a fig poultice for a boil (Isaiah 38:21) and
the balm of Gilead for healing wounds (Jeremiah 8:22). Luke, the
author of the books of Luke and Acts, was a physician (Colossians 4:14). God
can work for healing by using doctors and medicine. We are never told to ignore
medical advice or to indulge in strange fringe or extreme types of diets.
The concept of Christian bodily
stewardship comes from the knowledge that we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit
and each of our bodies can be viewed as a Temple of the Lord. This implies that
taking care of your body is a Christian obligation. We do not own our bodies. We have been
"bought with a price"— the blood of Jesus Christ.
Proper nutrition, physical
activities, weight loss, proper rest, presenting a positive and healthy image to others, and
avoiding the use of harmful substances are all biblically encouraged. There is
a one biblical warning about the concern for physical health. It is
possible to become so obsessed with fitness, appearance, or health that these
things become idols and replace God in our hearts. He must be the focus.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 10:31; Romans 12:1; 1
Timothy 4:8; Proverbs 23:20-21; Exodus 20:8-10.
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