Topical Bible: Wicked Children: Children at Bethel

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Topical Encyclopedia

The account of the children at Bethel is a significant narrative found in the Old Testament, specifically in 2 Kings 2:23-25. This passage describes an encounter between the prophet Elisha and a group of young boys in the city of Bethel, which serves as a poignant illustration of disrespect towards God's appointed servants and the consequences of such irreverence.

Biblical Context

Bethel, meaning "House of God," was a city with a rich spiritual heritage, being one of the locations where the patriarch Jacob had a divine encounter (Genesis 28:19). However, by the time of Elisha, Bethel had become a center of idolatry, particularly under the influence of Jeroboam, who established a golden calf there (1 Kings 12:28-29). This spiritual decline set the stage for the events involving Elisha.

The Incident

As Elisha was traveling from Jericho to Bethel, a group of boys came out of the city and mocked him, saying, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" (2 Kings 2:23). The taunt "Go up" likely referred to the recent ascension of Elijah, Elisha's predecessor, into heaven (2 Kings 2:11). The term "baldhead" was a derogatory insult, possibly aimed at Elisha's appearance or as a broader expression of disdain.

Divine Judgment

In response to their 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 woods and mauled forty-two of the boys (2 Kings 2:24). This severe judgment underscores the seriousness with which God views the disrespect of His prophets and, by extension, His authority.

Theological Implications

The incident at Bethel serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of reverence for God's representatives. In the biblical narrative, prophets were not merely individuals with a message but were seen as direct emissaries of God. Disrespect towards them was tantamount to disrespect towards God Himself. The harshness of the punishment reflects the gravity of the offense in a society where honor and respect for divine authority were paramount.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

From a moral and spiritual perspective, the account of the children at Bethel highlights several key lessons:

1. Respect for Authority: The narrative emphasizes the importance of respecting those whom God has placed in positions of spiritual authority. This respect is not just for the individuals themselves but for the God they represent.

2. Consequences of Disobedience: The swift and severe punishment meted out to the boys serves as a warning about the consequences of disobedience and irreverence. It illustrates that actions against God's order can lead to dire outcomes.

3. The Role of Prophets: Prophets in the Old Testament were often met with resistance and hostility. This account is one of many that demonstrate the challenges they faced and the divine backing they received in their mission.

4. Cultural and Spiritual Decline: The incident reflects the broader cultural and spiritual decline in Israel during this period. The behavior of the children can be seen as symptomatic of a society that had turned away from God and embraced idolatry.

In summary, the account of the wicked children at Bethel is a powerful narrative that underscores the necessity of honoring God's messengers and the serious consequences of failing to do so. It serves as a timeless reminder of the need for reverence and obedience to divine authority.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 2:23
And he went up from there to Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said to him, Go up, you bald head; go up, you bald head.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Abraham --The Father of the Faithful.
... in Canaan, but he came back to Bethel, where he ... him, God promised him that his
children's children should grow ... who lived there were so very wicked, and Abraham ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii abrahamthe father of.htm

The Story of the Tower of Babel
... appeared to Abraham and said, "To your children will I ... near Bethel and pitched his
tent with Bethel on one ... But the men of Sodom were very wicked and sinned ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the story of the tower.htm

The Testament of Levi Concerning the Priesthood and Arrogance.
... spirits of the retributions for vengeance on the wicked. ... And when we came to Bethel,
my father Jacob ... observe whatsoever I command you, children; for whatsoever ...
/.../iii the testament of levi concerning.htm

The Story of Jacob
... walked in the way of the idols and became wicked. ... to your children after you; and
your children shall spread ... And Jacob named that place Bethel, which in the ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of jacob.htm

Samuel, the Child of Prayer
... Then the children of Israel ... the Lord." While Samuel was offering up prayer for these
wicked Israelites, the ... year to year to go in circuit to Bethel, Gilgal and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/ix samuel the child of.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it ... Grievously had the children of Israel
"sinned against the ... and wrought wicked things." "They would not hear, but ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany
... Christ gives striking illustrations of such perseverence in the parable of the wicked
judge (Luke 18), and ... And Elisha cursed the children of Bethel.2 Kings 2 ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after epiphany.htm

Instruction for the Ignorant:
... Wo unto the wicked, it shall ... he also burned up all the little children which were
in Sodom; and because upon a time the little children at Bethel mocked the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/instruction for the ignorant .htm

How Samuel when He was So Infirm with Old Age that He could not ...
... the one at the city of Bethel, and the ... us an evident example and demonstration how
some children are not ... good and moderate, though born of wicked parents; and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how samuel when.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ...
... Indians poor; strips our squaws and children of their ... we believe some white men are
wicked yet, that ... the towns of Shelbourn, Rumford, Bethel, Livermore, Augusta ...
/.../chapter 6 from the close.htm