"And he [Elisha] went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them." (II Kings 2:23-24)
2007-10-22 23:41:46 · 8 answers · asked by Cotton Wool Ninja 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christians say they believe in the Bible but they read something like this and try to say it did not happen. Yes it was not God killed the children but why did He not stop the bears from doing it. Or turn them on Elisha for cursing the little children.
2007-10-22 23:59:15 · answer #1 · answered by just because 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Most High God has an incredible sense of humor. Have you ever watched the antics of baby animals? Monkeys? Kittens? The account has very little to do with humor and very much to do with respect and standards.
It is human nature to set up our own standards and then judge all by those arbitrarily-set standards. Thus, we dismiss the behavior of these children as mere foolishness and judge God as murderous for putting them to death. There are many who also minimize the seriousness of Adam and Eve taking the fruit. "After all," they say, "it was just a piece of fruit." And so they echo the words of the nation of Israel at Ezekiel 18:29: "Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?"
In truth, we should listen to the words of God at Isaiah 55:9: "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." If we doubt the correctness of this, a closer examination of God's word and his dealings with man will assist us in recognizing the truthfulness of this and adjusting our attitude accordingly. We could start with understanding the meaning behind the conduct of these kids.
Hannah J Paul
2007-10-22 23:56:32 · answer #2 · answered by Hannah J Paul 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
1) new testament so I don't personally belive it to be neccesarily meaningful.
2) have you considered other possible inteperetations? such as this two part one that comes to mind:
a) "be careful what you wish for" ... that most likely the person who "cursed them int he name of the Lord" did not mean it to be so literal, yet they said something very serious, when they probably didn't mean it that seriously... they would have having done that on their concience.
or in other words, "don't say curses like that lightly."
b) a warning to children to respect their elders, in a rather graphic manner.
2007-10-22 23:52:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
They just have to use the old steam Bible. No wonder the kids think Christianity is garbage, and no wonder they get uppity in Salford and Brixton.
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2007-10-23 01:25:58 · answer #4 · answered by miller 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God does not kill children. People who think they are God do the killing, quite deliberately. Have you not seen the recent TV reports of children "throwing stones" at armoured vehicles, and the ´soldiers´ in the tanks, shooting them dead?
2007-10-22 23:49:43 · answer #5 · answered by stainless steven 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Typical religious rubbish.
People actually believe in the bible stories because they are not intelligent enough to think things out for themselves.
2007-10-22 23:57:16 · answer #6 · answered by Montgomery B 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
look if you read your bible you would know that god doesnt killl /er can rush our time satin fooes things
2007-10-22 23:51:08 · answer #7 · answered by Psychologist In The House 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
WOW THAT WAS MEAN =D
2007-10-22 23:47:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋