HEALTH!

These past several weeks pundits and scribes and hosts and anchors and Pharisees and Sadducees and Democrats and Republicans have been talking about nothing but healthcare. No doubt important, I know—I’m involved in the very business, myself. Thus far, by the grace of God, I’ve been involved only at the giving end of that enterprise.

Yes, healthcare is critically important. For all of us. If we are not already seeking and receiving it acutely or chronically, either for ourselves or for our near and dear, it will only be a matter of time before we do. It is important.

Over the last decade or thereabouts that I’ve taught preaching at Dallas Seminary, I’ve been struck by the number of times the Book of Proverbs mentions health. (Students in our first preaching class have to preach selected verses from that book, and at least a few of these selections deal with health.)

“Of course,” most people say, “those are ‘just’ proverbs: general statements, true more often than not, but they aren’t promises or anything of the sort.”

My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart
keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
Proverbs 3:1–2

So here I’m supposed believe that, generally speaking, if one listens to godly advice from an elder/parent/mentor, one will live long—occasionally, sometimes, perhaps, and hopefully.

The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of wisdom ….
For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
Proverbs 9:10–11

Or if I fear the Lord, I’ll have—more or less, hitting or missing, now and then, from time to time—a long life.

But I’ve never been very satisfied with that rationalization.

Instead, I like to look at it this way: these proverbs—not any ol’ proverb—these inspired proverbs that form the Word of God are always true. How, you ask? I’d argue that fearing the Lord, for one thing, always contributes to a longer life. How much it contributes, I’ve no clue. But it does contribute something, even if it is a few microseconds to my life or anyone else’s. Absolutely!

And so do other things: good genes, exercise, healthy diets, sound relationships, careful driving, listening to Bach—all contribute, to some degree, to a longer life … as far as we know.

But Proverbs 14:27 is different: Fearing the Lord also contributes—in some way, but always—to lengthening one’s life. Not “as far as we know,” but always, for “thus saith the Lord.”

What else? What else provides for good health in Proverbs? Here we go—an inspired plan for healthcare …

Keeping good company.

He who walks with wise men
will be wise,
But the companion of fools
will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20

Being humble.

The reward of humility …
riches, honor and life.
Proverbs 22:4

Being wise in the ways of God and in the Word of God.

How blessed is the one
who finds wisdom
And the one
who gains understanding.
Long life is in her right hand ….
Proverbs 3:13, 16

Living uprightly.

He who pursues
righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness and honor.
Proverbs 21:21

Not oppressing the weak.

Do not rob the poor
because he is poor,
Or crush the afflicted ….
or the LORD will plead their case
And take the life
of those who rob them.
Proverbs 22:22–23

Healthcare, God’s way. After all, He ought to know—the Great Physician! Let’s vote for that plan today, shall we?