Word of Encouragement (06/26/2024)
He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys. (2 Kings 2:23-24)
Elijah’s ascension to heaven is followed by Elisha’s interactions with three diverse groups of people. Why are they recorded here? These incidents were designed to demonstrate Elisha’s call as Elijah’s legitimate successor.
The first incident involved “the sons of the prophets” (vv. 15-18). We don’t know exactly who they were. This phrase occurs only in 1 & 2 Kings but without any explanations. They could have been the disciples of Elijah and Elisha even though they seem to be only loosely associated with them, not always staying with the prophets. Regardless, these sons of the prophets knew that Elijah would be taken away from Elisha (v. 5). They also recognized that the Spirit of Elijah rested on him. But they did not know that Elijah was taken up to heaven. So, they urged Elisha to send out fifty men to find Elijah (v. 16) even when he said no. When they could not find Elijah anywhere, Elisha’s words were confirmed.
The second group was the men of Jericho (vv. 19-22). The city had a problem with its bad water, which made the land unfruitful. Elisha commanded them to bring salt in a new bowl. Then, he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it according to the word of the LORD, which healed the water.
The third group was a group of boys (vv. 23-25). They came out and mocked him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead” (v. 24). Elijah’s response to this is shocking: “And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys” (v. 25). Was this necessary, especially against a group of boys?
First, the Hebrew word for “boys” can be translated as young men.
Second, this incident shows that it is no small thing to insult a prophet of God. Just because this kind of immediate retribution does not take place all the time does not mean that it is OK to insult a servant of God. What happened to these boys should not be viewed as an exception; this is what the sin deserves (and more). In the Bible, we see a pattern of sorts: at the beginning of a new era, the first offenders are harshly punished. Think about Achan at the beginning of Israel’s conquest of Canaan. Think also of Saul, Israel’s first king—how he and his family were removed from kingship. We also remember Ananias and Saphira, who were struck dead for their lie to the Apostles concerning the proceeds of the sale of their land. God’s people are reminded of the holiness of God and the wickedness of sin, which they should not forget. When they are not immediately punished like the examples, they should not think that God doesn’t care or their sins are not so bad; God is trying to lead them to repentance by His kindness and patience.
Do you think that your sin is not a big deal because there is no lightning that strikes you the moment you commit it? Look at the cross of Jesus Christ and see whether you can justify such thinking. May the grace and patience of the Lord increase our hatred of sin and desire for holiness in our lives.