Quarantine –a period of time during which an animal or person that might have a disease is kept away from other people or animals so that the disease cannot spread.(Cambridge dictionary). This word has now become so used all over the world. The government has encouraged all people to do self-quarantine or self-isolation whether you are sick or not in order to limit the spread of the virus. And help health officials tackling the spread of the disease. Today let us see the biblical aspect of quarantine or isolation so we can understand it better.
The Israelites practiced self-isolation since their time as slaves in Egypt and till they reached the Promised Land, where Moses ended becoming the first public health official.
In Leviticus, Moses, guided by Yahweh laid out guidelines on how to deal "with a leprous" infection.
“Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp”. (Leviticus 13:45-46).
Leprosy was once feared as a highly contagious and devastating disease, that’s why the Lord order those with this sickness and through Moses implemented the order. "Being unclean, he shall dwell apart; his dwelling shall be outside the camp" (verse 46). But now we know leprosy doesn't spread easily and treatment is very effective. Recently the world has Covid19, a highly infectious disease if being coughed on and sneezed on by a person with infection. If infected biblically you are to be isolated, or be quarantined using our word today. These bring me to the point that if not infected you can live a normal life, not in panic or in fear. Are we against self-quarantine if not infected? Not at all. Here are my recommendations during quarantine moment.
QUIT your mind from being negative. Be Quiet with the Lord instead. Ps 46:10
UNDESTAND the ULTIMATE sacrifice of Jesus Christ to save you. 1Peter 3:18
AVOID Sin and ACKNOWLEDGE Jesus Christ in your life, then you will be save. Romans 10:9
REST and REMAIN in God’s love- Perfect love cast out fear. 1 John 4:18
ALIGN your plan with God’s plan. Jeremiah 29:11
NOURISHED yourself with the word of God. 2Timothy 3:16
TRUST God and TAKE time to pray – James 5:13,Matthew 26:41, 1Thessalonians 5:17
INVEST your time with God. IMMERSED yourself with the Holy Spirit presence having the fruit of the Spirit as evidence. Galatians 5:22
NEVER say you can’t’ – With God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:23-30
EXERCISE your faith and ENJOY your life being quarantine, or having challenges in life, it’s not the end of the world. Nehemiah 8:10
May this word from the Lord guide strengthen you all.
