Topical Bible: Children: Death of, As a Judgment Upon Parents by Elisha

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Topical Encyclopedia

The account of children suffering death as a judgment upon their parents is a sobering narrative found in the Old Testament, specifically in the ministry of the prophet Elisha. This event underscores the seriousness of mocking God's appointed servants and the severe consequences that can follow such actions.

Biblical Context

The incident is recorded in 2 Kings 2:23-25. After Elijah's ascension to heaven, Elisha, his successor, traveled to Bethel. As he approached the city, a group of youths came out and mocked him, saying, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" (2 Kings 2:23). This taunt was not merely a jest about Elisha's appearance but a profound disrespect for his prophetic office and, by extension, for God Himself.

Divine Judgment

In response to this mockery, Elisha turned around, looked at them, and pronounced a curse in the name of the Lord. Subsequently, two female bears came out of the forest and mauled forty-two of the youths (2 Kings 2:24). This swift and severe judgment highlights the seriousness with which God regards the honor of His prophets and the respect due to His representatives.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, this event serves as a stark reminder of the holiness of God and the respect He demands for His messengers. The death of these children can be seen as a judgment not only upon them but also upon the community and their parents, who likely failed to instill in them the reverence due to God's anointed. The incident reflects the broader biblical principle that the sins of one generation can have dire consequences for the next, as seen in passages like Exodus 20:5, where God warns of visiting "the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me" .

Cultural and Historical Considerations

In the ancient Near Eastern context, prophets were revered as the mouthpieces of God. Disrespecting a prophet was tantamount to disrespecting God Himself. The youths' mockery of Elisha, therefore, was not a trivial matter but a significant affront to divine authority. The severity of the punishment meted out by the bears serves as a divine assertion of the prophet's authority and a warning against irreverence.

Moral and Ethical Lessons

This narrative imparts several moral and ethical lessons. It emphasizes the importance of teaching children to respect and honor God's representatives. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of irreverence and the potential for divine retribution. Parents are reminded of their responsibility to guide their children in the ways of the Lord, instilling in them a deep respect for God and His appointed leaders.

Conclusion

The account of the death of the children as a judgment upon their parents through the actions of Elisha is a powerful reminder of the seriousness with which God views the honor of His name and His servants. It calls believers to reflect on the importance of reverence, respect, and the transmission of these values to future generations.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 4:17-36
And the woman conceived, and bore a son at that season that Elisha had said to her, according to the time of life.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

A Prophet of Peace
... The awful judgment that followed was of God. ... Then will He restore to His servants
the children that have been taken from them by death. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 19 a prophet of.htm

A Strain of the Judgment of the Lord.
... that while the vast majority are, immediately on their death, shut up ... await the
"decreed age," ie, the day of judgment, some, like the children raised by ...
/.../unknown/fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/4 a strain of the.htm

John ix. 1, 2
... the sins of the parents upon the children unto the ... the miracle; as when He saith,
"For judgment I am ... the crippled, recalling the dead from death, opening the ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lvi john ix 1.htm

Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... Herod, judgment upon, [323]90. ... Law the, not evil, but weak and dangerous, [372]20;
death to, different ... Peter, Three Holy Children, [490]93; Jeremiah, Joseph, St ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm

Last Days and After.
... his wife, who was a lady of good judgment, possessing a ... in life, he was triumphant
in death, and though ... door are their tombstones and those of their children. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/vii last days and after.htm

Enoch, the Deathless
... household, in preaching righteousness and foretelling judgment, the great ... daughters."
But the blessing of children in no ... The fear of death is a bondage under ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/enoch the deathless.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... to pass that saying that is written, "Death is swallowed ... wicked, they being themselves
the proper children of the ... shall sit upon the thrones of judgment to do ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

On Helping the Poor.
... or the bringing up of many children, receives alms ... For God, who knows the heart,
with judgment has declared ... by tyrants to single combat and death on account of ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on helping the poor.htm

Concerning the Martyrs.
... he will suffer nothing, like the three children; [2990] or ... will bring every work
into judgment, with every ... did not suffer them to have any experience of death. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i concerning the martyrs.htm

The Way to Honor
... same, but not I. I have passed from death unto life ... Suppose any of you are children
and are doing right ... holiest things, and in carrying out our judgment of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the way to honor.htm