This thread is for all the literalists out there. As many of you know, Elisha was a prophet that lived during the time of the OT and is written about in 2 Kings. He was a student of Elijah and was present when God took him up to Heaven in a chariot of fire. Before he was taken up, Elisha asked Elijah for a double portion of his spirit; hmm, is this an appropriate thing for Christians to ask for from loved ones on their deathbed? According to the scriptures it is - because Elisha received what he asked for and a company of the prophets from Jericho, recognized that Elisha did indeed receive his spirit.
Later, after preforming a few miracles, Elisha was traveling and 2 Kings 2:23-25 provides this account:
[sup]23[/sup] 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!” [sup]24[/sup] 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. [sup]25[/sup] And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria.
So, apparently, being referred to as bald in a mocking and scoffing manner, is grounds for dismemberment and certain ingestion. Indeed, according to a literal reading of the scripture, praying for the death of boys who refer to you in jest, according to the features of your smooth pate, will result in the appearance of two large omnivores of the Ursus genus, followed by an effective and efficient mauling.
So sayeth the Lord.
As you can imagine, this raises a slew of questions.......
1. What is a 'double portion' of a person's spirit and how do I get some?
2. Is it the combination of baldness, bears, and boys that resulted in God's faithful mauling or simply the mocking aspect?
3. Do you have to be bald, a boy, or possibly a bear to profit from this cautionary, true account? If so, what can be learned?
4. As absurd as this may be, could there possibly be a metaphorical interpretation of this account that may provide us with a better understanding?
Comments welcome.
Later, after preforming a few miracles, Elisha was traveling and 2 Kings 2:23-25 provides this account:
[sup]23[/sup] 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!” [sup]24[/sup] 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. [sup]25[/sup] And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria.
So, apparently, being referred to as bald in a mocking and scoffing manner, is grounds for dismemberment and certain ingestion. Indeed, according to a literal reading of the scripture, praying for the death of boys who refer to you in jest, according to the features of your smooth pate, will result in the appearance of two large omnivores of the Ursus genus, followed by an effective and efficient mauling.
So sayeth the Lord.
As you can imagine, this raises a slew of questions.......
1. What is a 'double portion' of a person's spirit and how do I get some?
2. Is it the combination of baldness, bears, and boys that resulted in God's faithful mauling or simply the mocking aspect?
3. Do you have to be bald, a boy, or possibly a bear to profit from this cautionary, true account? If so, what can be learned?
4. As absurd as this may be, could there possibly be a metaphorical interpretation of this account that may provide us with a better understanding?
Comments welcome.