Biblical Health Tips for Disease Prevention (2 Kings 20:1-7)

Hezekiah's sickness was a boil which is blood related, the Egyptians also experienced boil (Exodus 9:10, 11). Boil is associated with leprosy (Leviticus 13). Job was struck with boil by Satan (Job 2:7). Hezekiah's boil can be viewed scientifically and spiritually in which case, Isaiah told Hezekiah, "...Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered." (2 Kings 20:7)

It is our duty, when we are sick, to make use of such means as are proper to help nature, else we do not trust God, but tempt him. Plain and ordinary medicines must not be despised, for many such God has graciously made serviceable to man, in consideration of the poor. What God appoints he will bless and make effective.

Isaiah ordered an outward application of fig despite boil is blood related, a very cheap and common thing to ripen it and bring it to an end, that the matter of the disease may be discharged that way. Intake of basic nutrients essential for health can go a long way to keep us healthy (Acts 27:34), while application of useful healthy, cheap, common tips and things, good for health can prevent us from suffering preventable illnesses.

1. The Sources and Causes of Sicknesses and Diseases

2 Kings 20:1; John 9;1,2

Good understanding of the sources and causes of sicknesses and diseases can help us understand preventive measures essential for us to escape the scourge of sicknesses and diseases. Hezekiah heard from Isaiah that his sickness was unto death and that made him to seek desperately for solution instead of taking it with laxity. The disciples asked Jesus the source and cause of the blindness of the man that was born blind (John 9:2). Below are some sources and causes of sicknesses and diseases:

i. Sin - Egyptians (Exodus 9,10), King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:20),
ii. Stress - 1 Samuel 30:10
iii. Stubbornness and Self-will - 2 Chronicles 26:18-21
iv. SS gene -
v. Starvation - 1 Samuel 30:11-13
vi. Sleeplessness - Acts 20:9
vii. Satan - 1 Samuel 16:14, 15; Job 2:7

Jesus taught the disciples that sometimes sicknesses and diseases may be for God's glory (John 9:1-3). Whenever a Christian is sick first thing to do is to examine one's life (1 Corinthians 11:30-32) whether there is a window through which Satan came in. (James 5:16)

2. The Solutions and Cure for Sicknesses and Disease

2 Kings 20:2-7;

Hezekiah prayed but consequently Isaiah gave him further instructions. This might contribute something to the cure, and yet, considering to what a height the disease had come, and how suddenly it was checked, the cure was no less than miraculous. God is not stereotype, He works in divers ways.

i. for the Egyptian it is "let my people go". A simple action to bring their healing. Exodus 9:1, 9-11
ii. for the Gileadites it is balm in Gilead. Genesis 37:25; Jeremiah 8:22. many nations enjoyed it
iii. for the Israelite it is the brazen Serpent. Number 21:8
iv. for Hezekiah it is the fig. 2 Kings 20:7
v. for Miriam it is 7 days outside the camp. Numbers 12:10, 13-15
vi. for Namaan the Syrian it is dip in Jordan 7 times. 2 Kings 5:10, 14
vii.for Saul it is the Music of David. 1 Samuel 16:23

Ahaziah was seized with sickness in body, not from any inward cause, but by a severe accident and was much bruised with the fall; perhaps it threw him into a fever, therefore, he went to Ekron for consultation but unfortunately, he died because he despised consulting God like Hezekiah. "Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed." (2 King 1:2-4)

Solutions to every sickness is with God not any oil, water, medicines or any other things people put their faith in. Concerning the balm of Gilead, for healing, God said "Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured." (Jeremiah 46:11). God has given us the Name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus "...by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24b). Whatever we apply must be in the name of Jesus and anything outside the name of Jesus or not in consonance with God's word must be rejected blatantly.

3. The Spiritual Care for the Sick and the Diseased

2 Kings 20:1-7; Matthew 8:14,15; Mark 16:18; Acts 28:8; James 5:14,15; Mark 2:17

Old testament prophet are under strict obligation to deliver the message as they are given without getting involved. Isaiah had been twice, as stated in the former chapter, a messenger of good tidings to Hezekiah the King. But this time he is to deliver the message of the King's death, he could do no otherwise than to deliver it as it was given him.

Jesus, our perfect example, unlike Isaiah the prophet, went to Peter's house and pray for the mother in law when he heard that she was sick. Believers today have same privilege to pray for those that are sick (Matthew 10:7, 8). But we must remember to preach the gospel to them so that a worse thing does not come on them if they go on committing the sin that brought same sickness on them. (John 5:14). When we are sick or anyone is sick and we need to pray it must be in faith "and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.' (James 5:15). Believers must be compassionate to those who are sick and be concerned about their welfare like Jesus was to Peter's mother in-law.

Sinners are spiritually sick and we must take the gospel to sinners so that they can enjoy divine healing and health, "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." (Mark 16:20)