I think of myself as a simple, down to earth person, especially with respect to theological issues; I usually find it hard, and not that interesting, to think about arbitrary theological questions or arguments.  The pandemic, however, has caused me to think of deeper philosophical questions.  Here is one.  Suppose that COVID-19 had struck during Biblical times.  How would that have changed the Bible story?  Here are some possibilities.

• There would have been an eleventh commandment:  Thou shalt stand 4 cubits apart (1 cubit = 1.5 feet).
• Moses would have told Pharaoh, “I told you so!”
• The reason the Israelites would have spent 40 years in the desert would have been because of travel restrictions.
• Eli would have taught Samuel using distance learning.
• Samson would have told Delilah, “Thanks! I haven’t been able to go to a barber for the last seven months.”
• Noah’s sons, when they learned about the need for social distancing, would have told their father, “You’re going to need a bigger boat.”
• The Wise Men would have been turned back at the border.
• Jesus wouldn’t have had to turn the water into wine at the wedding in Cana, since only ten people would have been allowed to attend.
• Jesus would have said, “Man shall not live on banana bread alone.”
• Jesus would have spent 40 days in the wilderness because of quarantine issues.
• Instead of killing the fatted calf, the father of the prodigal son would have ordered take-out.
• Instead of washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus would have washed their hands.
• There would have been outdoor dining at the Last Supper.
• Pontius Pilate would have said, “Everyone wash their hands.”
• Paul would have stopped making tents and started making face masks.
• In the book of Revelations, John would have made 2020 the mark of the beast.

Well, maybe those aren’t the most realistic possibilities.  In fact, the Bible mentions pestilences many times, and offers comfort and help concerning them in many places.  I have read that several religious groups are claiming that the COVID-19 pandemic is a judgement from God, and some also claim that it is a fulfillment of Biblical prophecies.  I have trouble with this, and I feel that we should not pretend to be in control of the mind of God.  We should note that historically many have used disasters as a platform to espouse their favorite false prophecies.  I do believe that if such a pestilence had struck during Biblical times, that its important truths would still be immutable.  We would still have God’s freely given Grace through his son Jesus Christ. 

Psalm 91:1-7 offers specific comfort for us at this time.  Please read it and remember:  God loves YOU unconditionally.

Jim