In 2 Kings 2:23-24, Elijah asks God to curse a group of children who were teasing him about his bald head. God sends two bears which attack the children and maul 42 of them.
Who is responsible for killing the children? God, for having sent the bears? Or Elijah, for having asked God to do it?
Thanks in advance for thoughtful responses.
2007-07-12 13:44:42 · 13 answers · asked by marbledog 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Or possible the children themselves, for teasing Elijah?
2007-07-12 13:49:22 · update #1
Elijah--for being vain about his bald head.
isn`t vanity considered a sin?
2007-07-12 13:53:08 · answer #1 · answered by miss kitty 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It does not say that the bears killed the children, it says they tore them. Meaning they were injured from the two she bears. The Old Testament is so hard to comprehend. To some point being cruel. Being Elijah cursed the small children . The two she bears were after Elijah and just happened the small children were in the way. That is how I take it. Elijah escaped being killed, after cursing the children, in the name of the Lord. To curse the Little Children is a sin in the eyes of God. Suffer not the Little Children. So there you have it. God aimed to punish Elijah for cursing the childlren. Instead he escaped and fled. The children suffered from Elijah's curse. Elijah also committed sin, by cursing the Lord. So Elijah committed two sins.
2007-07-12 14:05:56 · answer #2 · answered by Norskeyenta 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember struggling with this bible portion some years back, but I doubt that I ever found a good explanation. Children are just like that.
They tease and make fun of people. It's just natural for kids to mock, especially when they get into groups. Kids tend to follow the pack, and want to go along with what their friends do.
Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.
I can't explain it. I do not get a learning from this passage.
All I know is that "God is LOVE", and we have no right to judge him.
On the surface of it, I think the man Elijah was wrong to pray such a prayer. Perhaps it was a prayer that God said NO, but a bear was approaching on his own.
I like to think the bear was a coincidence, but I admit I have no explanation. I wonder what others will come up with.
Someone will say that we humans must learn to accept our limitations,and suggest we accept limitations on God...BUT I cannot accept that reasoning.
I believe God is perfect! So the bear aparently came along on it's own. God is good all the time.
I blame the bear!
2007-07-12 16:07:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Prophets Curse: Kings 2:23
From there Elisha went up to Bethel. while he was on the way. some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him. " Go up, baldhead, " they shouted, go up, baldhead! "
24 The prophet turned and saw them, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then 2 she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the children to pieces .
In other words the prophet swore, using the Lords name in vain, just like you would curse at someone. God did not send those bears out of the woods to kill those children, the bears probably heard all the swearing and came tearing out of the woods and seen the children and attacked. If you are making a lot of noise with bears around, you will get attacked by them! Also remember these were she-bears, they more then likely had babies in that woods and were protecting them!
2007-07-12 14:03:11 · answer #4 · answered by Gerry 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've read about this, and a commentary on it said that the original word actually meant a young man in his teens or twenties. You have to look at the context. The people at that time were not following God, in fact, they hated Him. Elisha was the last one following Him, when the youths were taunting him, they told him to "go on up baldhead." They were likely referring to Elijah's ascension into heaven. So what they were telling him was to go on up to heaven, go die. Those "kids" were actually young men threatening his life. So, there were at least 42 young men threatening his life, that's quite a different situation than what it appears.
2007-07-12 13:58:35 · answer #5 · answered by STEPHEN J 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hey, don't look at me. I didn't do it, I just wanted to bum a smoke.
God is responsible for ALL final judgment, and mercy. And you, and everyone else are responsible for there own actions. Elijah is responsible, the kids are responsible, the bear handlers are responsible, and you and I are responsible.
2007-07-12 13:51:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all starts with the devil because God nor Elijah told the children to badger him about his outer appearance...it is the work of the devil and the works of you master you will do...the devil work are always sinful and the wages of sin is death...smiles
2007-07-12 13:49:23 · answer #7 · answered by Ablebaby 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Da Bears.
2007-07-12 13:48:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
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2007-07-12 13:55:50 · answer #9 · answered by Prophet John of the Omega 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maul means to handle roughly.
2007-07-12 13:50:06 · answer #10 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋