2 Kings 2:23-24?

 Q - What lesson can be learned from the bloody death of the boys

in 2 Kings 2:23-24?

A -

Let'e look at the story:

2 Kings 2:23-24 (CEV)

Elisha left and headed toward Bethel. Along the way some boys started making fun of him by shouting, "Go away, baldy! Get out of here!"

Elisha turned around and stared at the boys. Then he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Right away two bears ran out of the woods and ripped to pieces forty-two of the boys.

Lessons?

1. Never jeer at /mock someone ---anyone.

2. Never jeer at /mock someone ---especially if that person is an anointed servant of God.

Do not say/shout insulting words against God's anointed servant, especially if

- that person is doing you no harm and he/she is doing fruitful work in God's service.

- the motive for mocking is just to belittle, shame, insult, hurt and make fun of the person.

3. Never join people who mock others.

When they jeer,

- stop /caution /remind them to not do it. Or at least,

- do not encourage them with your silence or, worse, your cooperation.

Psalm 105:15 (NIV)

"Do not touch my anointed ones;

do my prophets no harm."

*

Be careful with words;

Use words to bless others, not to put curses on yourself.

Matthew 12:36 (CEV)

(Jesus:) I promise you that on the day of judgment, everyone will have to account for every careless word they have spoken.

*

How to recognize hard core mockers?

They will hate you when you caution them.

The not-so-bad ones will thank you and change their ways.

Proverbs 9:8 (NIV)

Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;

rebuke the wise and they will love you.

*

"Bears" or their modern-day equivalents, can still come out of "the woods" and rip mockers "to pieces" in many other ways.

IT IS SO EASY TO

- BE

- JOIN

MOCKERS IN THE antiSOCIAL MEDIA.