Baldy!

There's a story in the Bible that has always kind of bothered me - the story of Elisha and those pesky, disobedient kids.

"From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys." - 2 Kings 2:23-24

Okay . . . now, doesn't that seems a little harsh? Why did Elisha do that? He was a prophet of God. Where's the compassion and the love?

This story is just one example of why it is SO important the STUDY the Bible and not merely read it. There are several things to note here.

First, as I mentioned earlier, Elisha was a prophet of God. That demands a certain respect, perhaps even fear. These 'boys' were not giving Elisha the respect he was due.

Second, the Bible translation used above was the NIV, not always the most accurate translation. The word 'boys' appears in the NIV. A good source to use in studying various translations of text is BibleHub.

If we search for 2 Kings 2:23 on BibleHub we get all the various translations of the text. 'Some boys' (NIV) is not the only translated words we find here. 'A group of boys' (NLT), 'some small boys' (ESV), 'little children' (KJV), 'some youths' (NKJV)' etc.

So which it is? Bible study tool #2...

The Old Testament Interlinear Bible I use is ScriptureForAll. The link here is for Old Testament (Hebrew). There is also a New Testament Greek version. If we click on the 2 Kings 23 link we get this Hebrew words: unorim qtnim. This translates to 'lads, small ones.' Let's move on.

So we have some small lads disrespecting the older prophet of God. What does scripture say about children disrespecting their elders?

“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord." - Leviticus 19:32

And although there is not a specific punishment written for disrespecting elders, there is one for disrespecting parents. It's the Fifth Commandment.

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." - Exodus 20:12

There is a case of a disrespecting son found in Deuteronomy, his parents brought him before the elders for judgement. The following was the law given to Moses by God.

"Then all the men of his town are to stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid." - Deuteronomy 21:21

The penalty for not honoring one's parents was death. I imagine it would be the same regarding demonstrations of honor for one of God's prophets. 

So, was Elisha wrong for calling down a curse on these young lads? No. Not under the law. But let's consider Jesus and the grace of God.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:43-48

The punishment under the law was death for not honoring parents. God's law has not changed. And even though Jesus spoke about loving our enemies, He also said this:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." - Matthew 5:17

He died on the cross to fulfill the sentence required for not honoring those who deserve honor.

How will we handle being disrespected today? Will we honor those who are worthy of honor? Or who require honor?

Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are older than me. Both have held the position of president. Are they due honor and respect, despite what we think about them? Hmm.

We can have our opinions but we also must respect the office.

"Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." - Romans 13:1