From there Elisha went up to Bethel. While he was on his way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him. "Go up baldhead," they shouted, "go up baldhead!" The prophet turned and saw them, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two shebears came out of the woods and tore forty two of the children to pieces. (2 Kings 2:23-24)
And, if it's only symbolic, why would any God use such a barbaric example?
2006-11-14 03:19:25 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
are you an idiot? God didn't write the bible. Men did.
2006-11-14 03:22:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Many ppl read things like this and say God must be a horrible being to do that. But the real problem is their lack of understanding with regard to the Bible and the cultures in which it was written.
During that time, there was a lot of idol worship and ppl were very opposed to God, Elisha was one of the few ppl still following God. In my Bible it uses the word "youths", and in the original Hebrew, the word would apply to ppl in their twenties.
Earlier to this, Elijah, another prophet, had ascended into heaven. So when the young men told Elisha "go on up baldhead!" they were referring to that event, they were saying "go on up to heaven," it was a threat on his life.
Another note, it says, as you quote, that 42 youths were killed. From what I wrote above, you can see that we now have at least 42 young men threatening his life. Quite a different situation than it first appears.
As always, doing a little research into the culture of the time and the language can help you understand the Bible much better.
2006-11-14 11:29:43 · answer #2 · answered by STEPHEN J 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What religious mythology challenges you to do is to find the intent behind the story. In short, what is the inherent message? That being the case, the story itself doesn't matter. Be it loving, violent or murderous, we are asked to read between the lines and discover the meaning/intent. From there, we discover the mystery of our own being. With that in mind...
What do you think the intent is behind this story? On the surface, it seems that Elisha is very proud and very thin skinned. How can the prophet be so upset by the words of children? If you try digging a little deeper, the answer will be revealed.
By the way. I am not Christian nor do I condone the senseless killing of anyone let alone children. I look at all religion from the point of view of myth. From there, much is revealed.
2006-11-14 11:29:08 · answer #3 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When I read the example, I look at how children are today and find that there is nothing that is a result to the cause of discipline. Those children where ridiculing a man that was in the right say stop but he gave into god's hand. Although it is told that the she bears killed the kids, it goes as a good example of respect toward our fellow people. That example is a much better example than the war in Iraq or numerous other events happening. If we took that lesson to heart we would live in a thriving and well-off society.
2006-11-14 11:26:47 · answer #4 · answered by UCF Scholar 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is easy to understand; It is symbolically of course.
Teaching a lesson: Where temptation can actually come over anyone including the most intellectuals (the prophet), the children, the animals.
Simply it is saying; Don't put obstacles in front of the messenger of God. You may be tempting the very God.
You must understand what the message was: Temptation can actually lead you to a great suffering.
The brutal killing of the forty two children, could well be interpreted as forty two generations to suffer.
A curse imposed on generations from the messenger of God.
God here is representing the heart = brain of a human, the most venerable part for sensitivity. Touching our minds with heavy thoughts, unnecessary if we are only to listen.
We don't listen, we are to suffer the consequences. As we are already, (she-bears) = wars.
These teaching was for the ancient generations, to be always on guard for their foe.
The messenger is warning them (us) of great danger.
2006-11-14 12:29:38 · answer #5 · answered by Walt. 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is stories such as this and some of the answers that have been given here in response to it that make me doubt god more and more (not that I beleive anyway)
I came to this site an agnostic but I am becoming more athiest with each unbelievable comment from the 'believers' and reading passages like the one you quoted.
2006-11-14 11:30:40 · answer #6 · answered by opalina 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
These boys were obviously old enough to know what they were doing. By hurling insults at Elisha , they were persecuting an anointed prophet of God.
During the Mosaic law times, if a young man was a serious deviant, then his parents were to bring him to the men of the city and he was to be stoned to death.
It may sound cruel, compared to our day where corporal punishment is considered abuse, but God can read hearts and He held people responsible, even young ones.
2006-11-14 11:26:44 · answer #7 · answered by jaguarboy 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The Hebrew word in the original indicates "youths", meaning teenagers or young men, not small boys. And disrespect to elders was a serious offense. Remember that the time period we are talking about had stoning as the punishment for a lot of things that we don't punish today.
2006-11-14 12:38:40 · answer #8 · answered by Shanna J 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ok ... when one commits a crime that renders the electric chair is that barbaric. I think so ... but law permits that. God's law stood at that time. The children were being disobedient and the law of God permitted such an act. That's all I can say.
2006-11-14 11:21:31 · answer #9 · answered by CuriousGirl 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
bcs God didnt say tht, human said tht in the name of the Lord....Do you realise tht all religions are made by Humans for Humans?
Do you really think tht God came down and created different religion for different races? I dont think so...
People who say tht Allah is the true god, or people who dont believe in Jesus will burn in hell, or The Hindu gods really did live on earth once upon a time, etc etc
People who are fanatics believe tht their religion is superior and no other religion is true...this type of people are actually EVIL. Fanatics create racism and hatred, this can be seen even till today....tht is how people become blind in religions and religious wars...
Just be normal, believe in religion but dont be a fanatic bcs, we must realise tht we are educated...we know wht is right and wrong...and if you say why did God use such a barbaric example? well, he never did... we humans did....
2006-11-14 11:28:12 · answer #10 · answered by Jendralus 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A lot of things, in the Bible, we don't understand......yet.
We do know a lot of parables are used in describing things that happened during that time. For example, when God allowed a prophet see the future, the prophet did not know what a helicopter was so he descried them as "locust". Also, sometimes, things are lost in translations.
Sometimes people only understand when things appear to be "shocking". Good luck. Pops
2006-11-14 11:27:36 · answer #11 · answered by Pops 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋