We See Social Distancing and Quarantines in the Bible
Social distancing and quarantines are nothing new. We see them in the Bible. The greatest social distancing of all time was Noah and his family in the ark (Gen. 7:13)! We see it with Lot and his family in Genesis 19:16. Circumstances can dictate the need for social distancing. We also see it portrayed in 2 Corinthians 6:17 and its inevitableness predicted in Matthew 13:49.
Then we find the eleven disciples quarantined in fear in John 20:19 when Jesus supernaturally enters the room. Do it again, Jesus, in our day!
We also find Elisha instructing the widow and her two sons to collect empty jars from their neighbors (2 Kings 4:1-7). “Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons” (v. 4). God knew how to meet the need, and He did.
Because of the current Coronavirus pandemic, we find ourselves today implementing social distancing and quarantines, thus experiencing needs we did not have a few weeks ago. It’s okay to practice social distancing as long as we stay in close quarters with Jesus. Therefore, allow God’s Word to reassure you. He has ways to meet your need that you know not. As the invalid discovered in John 5:6-8, God has more than one way to meet the need, and it’s probably in a way that we never expected.
“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy” (Hab. 3:2).
We’re all in this together! We’ve heard that a lot lately. However, togetherness can be a good thing. The Bible says much about being together.
“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:3).
“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” (Amos 3:3).
“This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 3:6).
“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thes. 4:17).
“He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him” (1 Thes. 5:10).
Social distancing and quarantines—they’re nothing new. “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9). Stop right now. Reach into your pocket and pull out a penny. By itself, it’s not worth much; however, it is a perfect reminder to us: In God We Trust.