Is COVID-19 a warning or punishment from God?
That is a good question. People have many different opinions about this. But we don’t want to know what people think. We want to know what God says. Does He warn or punish people for their sin?
There are a lot of examples in the Old Testament that say yes, God punishes people for their sin. Just a few examples. First, the flood. The Bible says people were very wicked, so God decided to wipe out all people, except for Noah and his family. Second, there are many examples from the people of Israel wandering in the wilderness after they left Egypt. Many times the people complained or rebelled against God. God punished them in various ways and many people died. A third example is the people of Judah (the Jews) going into exile in Babylon. For many years, centuries, people worshiped idols and rebelled against God. He punished them by sending the army from Babylon to come and destroy Jerusalem and take then captive to Babylon for 70 years.
When we look at those punishments, we see four things.
- God’s law or word was clear. The people knew what they should do.
- The people did wrong, they sinned against God.
- God punished them.
- God said that He was punishing them for their sin.
Before the flood, the people knew what was right and wrong. They rejected God and sinned terribly. Noah preached to them for 120 years. They had no excuse. God destroyed them with the flood and the Bible tells us clearly that He was punishing them for their sin. The same is true with the people of Israel in the wilderness and also for Babylon taking Judah into captivity. God sent many prophets to tell the people what He was going to do, and they still rejected Him.
What about today? We have God’s word (#1), people in America seem to be leaving God more and more (#2). COVID-19 looks like it could be a punishment from God (#3). But do we have God’s word telling us that He is punishing us for our sin? No. There is no such word.
What we have is God’s word telling us that He put all punishment for sin on Jesus. All of our sin went on Jesus, and all of God poured out all His anger and punishment for sin on Jesus. That is finished. The punishment is done. God doesn’t need to punish us for sin anymore.
Now God wants all people to believe the good news and trust in Jesus. Bad things happening and suffering can help lead people to Jesus.
Luke 13:1-5 says this: Some people who were there at that time told Jesus about certain Galileans. Pilate had mixed their blood with their sacrifices. Jesus said, “These people from Galilee suffered greatly. Do you think they were worse sinners than all the other Galileans? I tell you, no! But unless you turn away from your sins, you will all die too. Or what about the 18 people in Siloam? They died when the tower fell on them. Do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you turn away from your sins, you will all die too.”
Anytime something bad happens, it is a reminder that we are sinners in a sinful world. We won’t live forever. God wants those bad things happening to be a warning and reminder – repent now, believe that Jesus already suffered for you. God makes you free. He gives you new life! Live and enjoy the freedom and forgiveness He gives.
Please leave your comments or questions below. We would love to see what you think. God bless you.
