“Plague” is a very general word in the Bible sense

It is far wider than our modern sense of a wide spread disease, epidemic, or pandemic. The basic Greek word used in the New Testament is pl?g? and it means to hit something. It a word used to describe a literal beating, or the wounds that might result from such a beating. Thus it could include any serious blow to a man, or to a nation, or to the world.

There is though another aspect of the wars and disease and desolations of our world which are such a huge influence in our sinful world. It is that,

These blows often serve as Trumpets of Warning

These blows are often not the end in themselves, but they serve as warnings. In Revelation chapter 8 things are going very wrong on the earth. The prayers of the saints are going up to God as incense in Rev 8:1-4. This results in a response, and seven angels are given seven trumpets to sound. Not the final punishments for the sins of men or nations, but loud warnings of judgement to come for our sins, Rev 8:6ff.

Similarly, also these age long disasters which fall on us as men are often meant to warn us, and to straighten us out.

The First purpose would be to wake us up

First to the fact that not everything is right in our world. That things are often not even right with ourselves. Often we know our sins, but do not deal with them. Let’s face it, as men we are frequently a very hard headed lot. What will get our attention? What will get us to turn and avoid final judgement for our sins.

“Tell them, As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn you, turn you from your evil ways; for why will you die, …?”
Ezek 33:11 WEB

Often we are asleep to the dangers that come on us. First God will try gentle methods, and when these do not work, then more severe methods are often allowed.

“It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline?”
Heb 12:7 WEB

The Second purpose would be to get us to
no longer live for ourselves

Quite often in life we are all wrapped up in ourselves. However, it says of Jesus,

“… all things have been created through him, and for him.”
Col 1:16 WEB

We were made by Jesus, and for Jesus! What then should be our orientation for this temporary life we have now, in this temporary world?

We need to be aware that Jesus came to earth to die for your sins and mine, so that we will NOT have to die for our sins.

“He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.”
2Cor 5:15 WEB

God wants us to realize how transient we are, how vulnerable we are, so that we will act with a mind of wisdom. The Coronavirus and Scripture.

KJV is the King James Version, 1611.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901