My friend, Pastor Roy Summers, interacts with an Old Testament text that is often raised as an objection against the Old Testament.
“I can’t believe because of the harsh stories in the Old Testament”
No doubt there are some difficult stories in the Bible, and this one, in 2 Kings 2, is often held up as one of the toughest. Here it is in the NIV translation:
“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. And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria.”
On the surface of things there are three big problems with this story:- The offence seems so small – boys mocking a man
- The judgement seems so disproportionate – a mauling for a mockery
- God therefore seems harsh, since the judgement came from him, called down by Elisha (who also appears harsh)
How do we explain such a story?
Read the rest here.
Good article and spot on I’d venture. One thing, I wonder if he is stretching the progressive revelation aspect a bit in #2 on observations that put the story in context. Surely we don’t wait until the New Testament to see God’s mercy and kind disposition.
Scott, I completely agree and noticed that as well.
I have one memory of hearing this passage in a sermon as a youngster and never could make sense of it…..I’m glad for this read.