Does God ever bring on sickness as judgment? Yes! The following cases in the Old Testament should demonstrate this more than amply. Remember when you read these accounts that sickness was considered punishment. Since Jesus has taken the punishment for your sins, you do not need to be punished for them. Jesus has made you exempt from the things talked about here. You may click the notes on the various passages for comments about each incident.

In Exodus 8:16-17 and Exodus 9:8-11, lice and boils are put upon the Egyptians as a plague and a judgment for Pharaoh's refusal to obey God and let Israel go.

In Exodus 32:35, people are made sick because they built a golden idol calf in the desert.

Leviticus 26:14-39 and Deuteronomy 28:15-68 made it clear that God would cause sickness to come on Israel if the people were disobedient. This happened repeatedly throughout Israel's history. This does not make God the author of sickness. Sickness is only on the earth because of sin. However, God made it clear that he would personally ensure the sickness of Israel if the people would not serve him.


In Numbers 11:33-34, Israelites who lusted were made sick when the Lord smote the people.

In Numbers 12:1-15, Miriam was struck with leprosy for seven days as judgment for having a mutinous attitude toward God's appointed leader. (Note that God was merciful and healed her.)

In Numbers 14:36-37, the spies who brought back an unbelieving report were killed by a plague.

In Numbers 16:44-50, Israelites were killed by a plague because the Lord was angry with them for siding with Korah's rebels and the burners of illegitimate incense who were killed by God.

In Numbers 25:3-13, 24,000 Israelites were killed by a plague sent as punishment for idolatry.

In Numbers 31:14-16, and Joshua 22:17, the Israelites were reminded that a plague came on them through idolatry.


In Deuteronomy 29:19-22, God clearly declares plagues and sickness to be a curse for disobedience.

In 1 Samuel 5:1-6:5, the Philistines (who stole the ark of God) were smitten with terrible plagues.

In 1 Samuel 16:14-23, an "evil spirit from God" tormented backslidden Saul, who lost his anointing as king because of his disobedience and presumption in performing a priestly duty. Kings were not priests and were not allowed to perform priestly duties. (Click the notes to this passage if you're wondering what the phrase "evil spirit from God" means!)

In 1 Samuel 25:37-38, God smote Nabal for his churlish treatment of David. He died within ten days.


In 2 Samuel 12:13-18, David and Bathsheba's illegitimate child died as judgment for their sin.

In 1 Kings 13:4-6, King Jeroboam's hand was struck useless because he attempted to harm a prophet of God. Jeroboam asked the prophet to pray for healing, and when the prophet prayed for healing, God healed Jeroboam.

In 1 Kings 13:33-14:1, Jeroboam's son was smitten by a fatal illness as judgment for Jeroboam's leading of the nation into sin.

In 2 Kings 1:2-4, Ahaziah died as judgment for seeking advice from Baalzebub, a heathen god.

In 2 Kings 5:27, Naaman's leprosy came on Gehazi as punishment for his deception.

1 Chronicles 21:7-27 has another account of a plague that was judgment for sin.


In 2 Chronicles 21:12-19, horrible disease struck the family of a wicked king of Judah, along with other calamities, because of his sin.

In 2 Chronicles 26:16-21, King Uzziah was struck with leprosy for attempting to perform a priestly duty.

Psalm 89:20-23 and Jeremiah 50:13 mention plagues on God's enemies.

Micah 6:12-13 talks about people being made sick for their sins.

Zechariah 14:12-15 describes an awful killer plague that will come on those who attack Jerusalem.

Zechariah 14:16-19 declares sickness to be a judgment for not keeping the feast of tabernacles.

You can tie yourself up in knots debating God's "permitting" of Satan to destroy versus God doing it himself, but the fact is that God is responsible for the judgments in these verses, even if indirectly. Whether you want to say that he "sent" them or "allowed" them, clearly he was involved. There is such a thing as the wrath of God, although it is not often preached today! You are saved from wrath through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9), so none of these things should happen to you. However, there are times even under grace where sickness can be still be chastening or judgment. (See the discussion, Sickness as chastening and judgment in the New Testament.)


Sickness is not a nice little pet for you to get cozy with. It is a curse for sin. It does not belong to you. You are the righteousness of God in Christ, so you should not pay the penalty for sin. Jesus already paid it for you. Why should something that is judgment come upon a person who has been legally acquitted? You have a right to walk free from it. Like sin, sickness will try to attach itself to you, but you can overcome it through God's Word.