Covid 19 is a real virus. Though probably most of us do not believe it was started by a Chinese man, eating bats in Wuhan. And yes, there are evil powers that are taking advantage of the worldwide fear. That does not change the fact that this virus is real and deadly to some. It does have the capability to harm church members and potentially kill those who have compromised health. The risks of assembling, as of right now, are not worth putting everyone inside a church building breathing the same air and touching the same furniture. If one of our dear members were to die from this, you can imagine the devastation to our church family and the impression on the community. It would potentially hurt the church’s future.
That being said, at the same time I can understand the sentiment of someone saying, “Nobody is going to tell me I cannot go to church!” Also while quoting Hebrews 10:25, “We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together!”
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, … (Hebrews 10:25)
The first century Hebrew Christians being written to in Hebrews 10:25 were mocked, ridiculed, scoffed at, misquoted, lied about and suffered all sorts of adversity. They were instructed to not let those circumstances change their mind set, heart and body from assembling together with other believers.
Forsake means to, “Abandon, desert, leave in straits, leave helpless, totally abandoned, utterly forsaken, to leave behind etc.” We could certainly see this is the meaning established when we cross reference the word “forsake” or “forsaking” in scripture.
The interpretation of “forsaking the assembling” is not an act of staying away because of a temporary forecast. Whether that forecast is bad weather or a physical virus or violent threat by some sort of enemy this is not the interpretation of the passage. The interpretation is that those Hebrews mentioned should never have a permanent belief of; “abandon, desert, leave in straits, or leave behind” their assembling by having an attitude of, “That’s it! I am never going to assemble with other believers again!” and we all know people who have said this very thing because of hypocrites in the church, a bad experience in church, or some other reason. This verse is not talking about ignoring or blindly charging into a temporary danger. We have to remember that during this time the Hebrew church was scattered to escape physical threats and other forms of persecution.
Quarantines in the Old Testament: There were Hebrew saints of old that had or were exposed to leprosy, infectious illnesses and other diseases as mentioned in scripture. God set precautions to be observed for the sake of others assembled in close proximity. Those precautions included separation from physical contact and quarantined in the same building for a duration of time. (Leviticus 13-14; Numbers 19)
Only after a determination was made, according to God’s instructions to the Priests, were the quarantine precautions lifted. All had a measure of time during evaluation. In some cases, the time frame was extended to ensure sterilization of the premises and no/low risk contagion spread by the persons infected. Those precautions were dealt with on an individual basis with the infected person in mind and the congregation as well.
None of those believers were able to assemble, at those times, with numerous other believers. Some had to stay right with God while all alone. They were not to forsake God and God did not forsake them. They were not “forsaking the assembling.” It did not mean they had decided to not assemble when time and circumstances permitted. After their own “perilous times” the assembly regathered, and it continues on until this day. Those believers did not forsake in mind first and when appropriate did not forsake in body later.
Sometimes conditions (health or otherwise) force you to do church alone. Noah had to do church in the ark. The Hebrew Children in their individual homes in Egypt during the last plague. Joseph in prison, Elijah in a cave, Jeremiah in a pit, Daniel in a lion’s den, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in a furnace. The prophets and the Apostle Paul had to do church in prison. Jesus had to do this in the garden.
Perilous times: are defined as “strength reducing times.” Be it an illness that prevents us from going to church or a potentially bad weather forecast such as a hurricane, tornado, blizzard or a highly contagious disease that will kill you, it matters not. God has not forsaken us. Therefore, we should not forsake Him in mind first, an assembly in body second when physically and practically capable. This present Covid 19 forecast is temporary. Shelter until the storm passes by, but while in the shelter do not forsake, in mind or heart, and follow His command to assemble when appropriate.
This too shall pass. We shall assemble as believers in Christ again. One way or another, we will assemble at church, be it, “here or in the air!”
