It is starting to look like the corona virus pandemic is the most significant shaking the world has seen in the past few decades, if not the most significant since the Second World War. In Israel, the infection rate is again soaring and the government is re-imposing temporary lock-downs in areas with high infection rates and rolling back restrictions it loosened only a month ago. Experts are saying this could be our reality for the foreseeable future. The economic fallout could be disastrous and long-lasting. The destabilizing effects on governments is clear to see already: which politicians and leaders will rise because of corona, which will fall?
Since it all began, I have heard different voices saying that God would never cause something like this to happen. Others have said that the corona virus is a plan of Satan. In all times, but especially in times like these, we look to the Word of God to guide and speak to us. To the question, “Who is doing the shaking?” Hebrews 12:26-27 tells us:
…but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Looking to the Bible for direction, it is clear that God is doing the shaking, not the enemy. There is no instance in the Word in which Satan causes plagues to hit the earth. Quite the contrary—we see time and again in the Word that it is God who sometimes sends plagues and pestilences as a judgement on the earth:
When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
II Chronicles 7:13, 14
But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, then I will do this to you: I will bring on you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and sap your strength.
Leviticus 26: 14-16
However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you… The Lord will afflict you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors, festering sores and the itch, from which you cannot be cured.
Deuteronomy 28:15, 27
There are other instances in the Word in which God sends a plague as a judgment of sin: Numbers 17:6-15, 2 Samuel 24, 1 Samuel 5, Numbers 16: 47-50 The pages of the book of Revelation are filled with plagues sent by God as judgement.
Why would God use a plague to judge the earth? First and foremost, because of the flawed nature of the human heart: people tend to seek God more readily when they find themselves in trial and tribulation. When people are able to continue peacefully in their day to day lives of abundance and comfort without God, they may never know that they are on the fast track to destruction.
Trial and tribulation are a tool that God sometimes uses to wake people up, to cause them to seek Him. Looking at the present sufferings in that light, this pandemic can be seen expression of God’s grace and love in that He is shaking the very things that may be hindering many from seeking Him. God is more concerned about our eternal destiny with Him rather than keeping us comfortable in our temporary lives here on earth.
Is every plague a judgment from God? Not necessarily. However, an event on the scale we are currently witnessing in which every government and economy around the world has been brought to its knees, it is clear that God is doing something.
I do not want to minimize the real struggle many are experiencing right now. People are going through real and painful difficulties right now, some of which I have experienced in my own family. At Tiferet Yeshua congregation we are counseling and supporting people who have fallen into very difficult financial difficulties because of this crisis. But in all this, God is our very present help in trouble, and we can have confidence that He will carry us through if we cling to Him. We also want to partner with Him in what He is doing by praying for and witnessing to the lost, being a help to those who are in need, and cleansing our own lives from the things that hinder His love in us.
Leona Witek says:
Amen!!! So good!!!
God so loves us & uses ways that are far above our understanding to get our attention.
He is a God of mercy, grace, love, compassion, peace & on & on for us & the harvest of souls.
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Amen!
Jerry M. Fay, DMin says:
G-d allows evil. It is the absence of good. Satan ‘s best tactic is division. He has succeeded in dividing the nation. We harbor dark , rebellious hearts (Abortion, illicit sex, gender confusion, same sex marriage, moral relativism, etc ).
We’ve politicized the Virus thus aiding its progress.
As a Catholic we fight abortion. However, fighting the issues is mostly useless unless we fight the radical politics driving these issues.
Denise Alda says:
Shalom – excellent read. Well put. I’d like to address the following, as well.
Believers must wake up to how we’ve treated, with disdain & contempt, the Holy Word of our Creator, by not actually living it. Ezekiel 36:22&23 (TLV) So clinging to King Messiah Yeshua-Jesus, we must cling to His Word – Genesis to Revelation. Treasure AD-NAI Echad, the One L-RD & His Holy Scriptures. He is the G-D, Who says & does & makes it come to pass. Then love our neighbor, as ourself. Luke 10:27.
Seek the glory of G-D…. John 5:44. John 7:18.
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Amen!
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Indeed, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and strength” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” as Yeshua said, all the Torah and the Prophets hang on these two commandments!
Riyan says:
Thanks for the explanation. Sometimes i doubt that Corona virus is from God, but this explanation make me clear about the glory of our God. God bless you all in the name of Yeshua Hamasiakh our lord.
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Praise God, He is good! May He continue to give us all clarity.
Beth says:
Last August a word came to me while I was abiding in the Lord. “Hybershake”. I knew it was a combination of hibernate and shake. I’ve never shared this with anyone–who would have listened???
Jose Bautista says:
“In this world you will have many troubles, but take heart I have overcome the world”!It seems to me that we are not excluded by trouble of this world, but, the only guarantee is in HIM! If we are dwelling in HIM! That is what that Psalmist is also talking about “He who dwells in the shelter of the MOST HIGH will rest in the shadow of THE ALMIGHTY”! YESHUA is also telling His disciples dwell in me, let my Word dwell in you! Then you will have peace!
SHALOM
Tiferet Yeshua says:
So true! In this shaking we can find shelter in the shadow of the Almighty!
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Amen!
KAYODE says:
I pray for my Nation, the Nations of Israel, America, and where my children are residing.
When I think of how the virus is affecting many Nations of the World, what comes to mind are the various abominations that are perpetuated all over the World these days.
Majorly are….. IDOLATRY (god of mammon and all that relates with money); IMMORTALITY (LGBT, Transgender, Same sex Marriages, etc); and PRIDE (believing they can do without GOD because of the knowledge in science and technology- which is from The Creator).
We all must repent and turn from our wicked ways. The shaking is GOD’s way of calling us to order because HE loves us. The sooner we change, the earlier the virus will recede. The decision lies with each Country.
Let us pray for our leaders who make decisions and laws, that they do nothing against the will of GOD.
GOD is also waiting for believers to bring more souls into HIS kingdom through Evangelism. We have been found wanting because we are selfish. We think only of ourselves and our comfort. We have not loved enough to tell others about how to avoid ending in hell fire.
MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US ALL.
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Amen to standing in prayer and being a light of His truth to the lost!
Mark T Rodgers says:
Wow! What a confirmation. I just heard a similar sermon Sunday. Adonai, may we, like David, always trust in You and never be shaken.
Thierry Kopp says:
Hello my name is Thierry Kopp, i organize travel in Israel for German and Franch speaking people we ask you if it is posibel too come in your congreagation on a shabbat .In the moment we have prepare for Februar but the travel agency say possible it s not working.
Let me please know if it s possible we come one time too your concgregation , we give your more information when we knowx more.
Blessings
Thierry
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Dear Thierry, you are most welcome to come fellowship with us when, in God’s grace, the skies are open to international visitors again in Israel! We are a Hebrew only congregation and we don’t have translation, but you are more than welcome to come fellowship with us:-)