Would making fun of a prophet justify wild animals ripping children apart?

Question

-what kind of God would do this?
-what kind of mind set would concieve of this?
-was death warrented?
-can you think of a non-religious reason someone might want to include such a story in a book?

Answer 1

Would worshiping a false idol justify Moses and his army killing women and children?

-what kind of God would do this?
-what kind of mind set would concieve of this?
-was death warrented?
-can you think of a non-religious reason someone might want to include such a story in a book?

Answer 2

Actually, it was the curse the prophet spoke that set the thing in motion. God had already covenanted with the people of Israel that they would know that He had sent a prophet into their midst because the words of the prophet would always come to pass.

The kind of mindset that would conceive of this was merely a pissed off prophet. The prophet knew that when he spoke a thing it would happen. And it's not what God would have preferred. When He sent Jesus, Jesus told us that God would have mercy and not sacrifice and to bless those who curse us and pray for those who persecute us and despitefully use us.

Jesus came to show forth God's preference when we see things the adulteress thrown at His feet (John 8:2-11), the widow's son at Nain (Luke 7:11-15) - just to name a couple of examples. To debate about whether the death of these children was warranted is pretty much futile. It happened, and that's it. It is that prophet who will have to answer to God about whether it was warranted or not.

Since I don't know what you mean by a non-religious answer I'll just answer with what I know. The reason God would include such a story in the book is so that we can see God's dealings with man from Adam to Jesus. What validity would there be to white-washing and leaving the ugly stuff out? What would be the good of sweeping stuff like this under the rug? That's not how God is. He has nothing to hide and nothing to apologize for.

Answer 3

Mm, the people who wrote that are wrong, in my opinion. 1. The 42 kids who were mauled by the bears may not have been little children. They were most likely teenagers. The Hebrew word used is the same word that's used for teenagers. 2. The two bears were able to maul 42 of the teens. Note, 42 of them. That implies that there were at least 43. 3. How could two bears manage to maul 42 people, unless those people were very close together? 4. The term "baldhead" was actually an accusation that Elisha had leprosy. 5. The kids, regardless of their age, were threatening Elisha, by telling him to "go on up." They were telling him to go do what Elijah had just done. It's not as cut and dry as some might like to make it. It was no worse, really, than a SWAT team firing rubber bullets into an unruly crowd. If what happened to Elisha happened now, the crowd would have gotten sprayed with rubber bullets, regardless of their age.

Answer 4

The story your describing is when the teenagers mocked Elisha for haveing a shaved head taunting him with the phrase bald-head. Elisha called to the Lord for vengance as the kids had been following him for miles insulting him the whole way. You can't honestly tell me you haven't been annoyed by undisiplined teenagers and wished they'd get whats comeing to them - although I'm sure nobody would actually hurt such brats. Elisha is one of the most important prophets in the Bible.It was extreamly important that he be taken seriously as he was doing God's business on Earth. It is because of who Elisha was working for when he was taunted that caused the vengence to be so harsh. Everyone of the time knew Elisha spoke on behalf of Jehovah God so to insult him was to mock at God Himself! That truely is a capital crime. God is very forgiving but in Old Testiment days God was haveing a difficult time getting the masses to put thier faith in His existance so He often acted in attention getting ways to make it clear that He was no joke. Someone described in a recent question a situation where a man was stoned for carrying wood on a Sabath. Again in the Old Testiment God was showing the reality of His existance as well as showing how futile trying to be perfect is without attonement for transgressions. (He had to be stricter in those days.)

Answer 5

This story is in the old testament. God sent a prophet (can't remember his name) to carry out
his mission. The prophet was walking down the
road adn two children were mocking and laughing
at him. God sent one or two bears out of the woods to kill the two children. It shows gods power and how much he loves his own. This was
done under the old law.

This just wsn't a question to you, you have read this story in the Bible. If you are an unbeliever,
what are you doing reading stories in the bible?
Just thought I'd ask.

Answer 6

The prophet was representing the Most High God. Angels went straight from God to these prophets and told them what God said to tell his people ....the prophets traveled to give the message to God's people.

Every Isrealite knew this and they shared this deep respect with their families.

The whole nation was only as strong as its weakest link ...parents of grown men who were drunkards were to be the first to stone the unrepentant man to death.

so when the children started making fun of the prophet they were in essance taunting Jehovah God and the prophet was right to kill them and in front of their parents for their lack of teaching these children..so that the rest may have fear.

.and it will be that way again soon....each person of the age of accountability will stand before Jehovah for his actions.

Answer 7

It you mean the bear and the bald guy story - it's one that they strangely don't teach in religious school.

I was talking with three very good friends who are VERY, VERY devote and educated Christians (and very high quality individuals, I might add). I mentioned this story to them and none of them had ever heard of it. We had to drag out the bible and look it up. They all were stunned.

A

Answer 8

It's only bad if you take it literally. It's actually a metaphor. You see, the children represent, uh--
Well, Elisha clearly stands for--

Mmm. Wa-heck! Stupid bears!

Answer 9

Someone is sick in the head?

Answer 10

No INSANITY .