why God killed 36?

Question

the bible states that when Elijah was traveling from one place to another the children was taunting him because he was bald that he prayed and a she bear came from the woods and killed all 36 of them my question is my God does not kill children so how could this be

Answer 1

When I first became a Christian, I had questions about this passage too. What I've learned is that when we are in doubt about the WHY, we can always trust in the WHO. We can trust in God's character through what He has revealed about Himself in the Bible. We know that God is good, that He is merciful, but He is also just.

So, looking at this passage at a different angle:

The Bible says it was 42 youths. In today's world, if I was surrounded by 42 youths making threatening remarks, I would call it a gang, and I would fear for my safety. So perhaps these were not mere "innocent youths". They may have been a threat to Elisha's safety.

Also, earlier in this chapter God had taken Elijah (Elisha had been Elijah's attendant) up to Heaven in a whirlwind. From my understanding, the statement "Go on up, you baldhead!" was not just a remark making fun of Elisha's baldness. Some scholars believe by telling him to "go on UP" they were telling him to die. In any case, by threatening or rejecting God's prophet, they were in essence rejecting God Himself.

One of the lessons we can take from this passage is that if God calls you to fulfill a certain purpose for Him, He will protect you while you accomplish it.

Answer 2

It does not say the children were killed but mauled. The reason Elijah called down a cursed on the children is because during this time the people's heart were turned from the Lord. The parents in turn did not teach their children the ways of God or deposit respect for the Lord and his anointed. As a result, the anger and wrath fell upon the children.

Answer 3

My translation says `mauled 42` (2 Kings 2:24) It was Elisha not Elijah, and there were 2 bears. According to my commentry the Hebrew word is unclear, as to whether they were boys or youths.

Tragically, God does allow children to die everyday. Sometimes they cause their own deaths , by running in front of traffic for example, sometimes they are murdered by evil men, sometimes their own parents beat them to death. I don`t know why God answered Elisha`s curse. I don`t know why God allows such terrible things to happen. Again the commentry only mentions that at the time baldness may have been a deliberate act of dedication to God, so the youths may have been mocking religion, not just lack of hair.

Answer 4

My take on God killing.

If you are a Christian, you know that God knows how we feel and what we are going to do before we know. So, I cannot believe He would cause the death of anyone without reason. It is the soul that He is interested in, as we should be. If he caused a person to die, knowing what is in our heart, he deals fairly with their soul just as he will with ours.

Next point: Do you think Elijah would have felt a need to stop and pray if they were only 'teasing'?

Answer 5

It's so easy to question God and the scriptures of the Bible - most times we misconstrue the Bible - and/or only read part of a scripture, therefore not fully understanding what is actually been said. I believe that we have a merciful God and also that our minds are too small/ignorant/limited to completely comprehend everything that happens. My only salvation is my faith in God.

Answer 6

Are you sure God doesn't allow the killing of certain children? If you read into the text deeper you might realize that those "children" were young men old enough to know better. They were being blasphemous because by insulting Elijah for being a prophet of God, they were denying the power of God.

Answer 7

I don't give any credibility to your source. The Bible is a flawed, man-made book of fantasy. There are many tragedies involving children. There is no evidence that God kills anything. There should be a logical explanation for the deaths of any children.

Answer 8

Sure it was God you can't let them mess with the old bald headed dude. It was only a bear didn't the bible say it was a bear. Hisszzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Answer 9

Maybe God just really likes bald guys. And sure, god does kill children. Look at the great flood. How many innocent children died in that? Oh wait I forgot, their parents were bad so of course god had to kill the children too.

Answer 10

There were originally 37, but one was teasing him about a bad toupee. When Elijah removed the toupee, and the other kids teased him about being bald, then the she bear went on the rampage. The original teaser, was still in stitches about the toupee and did not tease about the bald head, so he was spared.