In the Old Testament God alone was regarded as the Healer. He was the source of life and health, sending disease and disaster to mankind as a punishment for sin, and healing it only if the sufferers were worthy of cure. “If you wilt diligently hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God… and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.,” (Exod. XV. 26)