2 Kings 2:23:25 (Read)

Humanists would say that God is a harsh tyrant for destroying these children for such a seemingly insignificant offence. Children, they tell us, should be allowed to express themselves. But what does God say about dealing with rebellious children, and about training children?

The Scriptures on Rebellious Children:

Exodus 21:15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.

Exodus 21:17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

Leviticus 19:3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 21:9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.

Deuteronomy 21:18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: 19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Proverbs 20:20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

Proverbs 28:24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

Proverbs 30:11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

Proverbs 30:17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

On training children:

Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Proverbs 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Proverbs 29:17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

1. The seriousness of mocking and taunting the man of God:

Elisha was not personally offended at these children so much; but it was the honor of God’s Name that he was concerned about. When people mock and taunt the man of God and the people of God, they dishonor God Himself. This is a personal affront to the God of Heaven. This is serious business.

God doesn’t take it lightly when His people and His preachers are treated with contempt by the wicked in this world- even if they are children. He will not hold such people guiltless. It is a very wicked and dangerous sin to show contempt and disrespect for the men of God. We would be amazed at how many people God has cursed and destroyed because of their evil designed or executed against the people of God.

These children said to Elisha in verse 23 “Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head”. What they meant was, go up as Elijah went up in the whirlwind. In other words “get out of here and leave us alone- we don’t want you around here”. Oh, how despised are the men of God, who of God are dispensers of great blessings to those who see there need. How do people cut off their own hope of God’s salvation by despising God’s people and God’s men. In foolishness and blindness of heart they turn away the man of God to their own destruction. The very thing they need, the gospel of grace, they send away before every hearing or knowing that it is the very cure they need for their sin sick souls.

Some believe that it was the parents who actually put these children up to mocking Elisha, to discourage him from coming into their town. Woe unto parents who would use there children to accomplish there own wicked devices, especially towards God and His people. Many times parents use their children as the reason why they don’t do what God wants them to do. If anything, beloved, our children are the reason why we should do what the Lord would have us to do. Parents are responsible for their children while they are in their care, to train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Parents are responsible to teach their children to respect the things of the Lord, and the people and men of God. Parents won’t be held guiltless for not training their children properly towards the things of God.

Where is the Lord God of Elijah? He is in the world to execute judgment and to fulfill His Word upon His enemies. God’s law and His commandments, whether His written law, or the law of conscience written upon the hearts of the Gentiles in the world, will be executed. God is in the world today executing His judgment and upholding His Holy law.

2. The curse and judgment of God upon these children (vs. 24):

God uses His creation to accomplish His will. God speaks to the beasts and they obey Him. We think of the lion that slew the disobedient prophet in 1 Kings 13:23-24; and the ass that rebuked that false prophet Balaam as he went to meet Balak to curse the children of Israel; and the great fish that swallowed the prophet Jonah who fled from the face of the Lord. Then there was Daniel in the den of lions. The Lord shut their mouths so they didn’t harm Daniel, but He caused them to devour Daniels accusers when they were cast in the den.

Thus the Lord is sovereign over all His creation. All of the creatures, including mankind, are His servants, and He puts it in their hearts to do whatsoever He pleases.

Where is the Lord God of Elijah? He is ruling and reigning over all the earth, and He is vindicating His people of the injustices done them by the wicked. And He uses His creation to accomplish His vengeance upon the wicked.

Conclusion:

It is of utmost importance that we honor and highly esteem the men of God for the sake of their office, for the sake of their work, and most importantly, for the Lord’s sake.

There is not enough honor and respect paid the men of God today, even from church members. I believe that God will bless a church that honors their pastor, and pays him the respect due His office, especially if he proves himself worthy of that honor. If he doesn’t prove himself worthy, and I include myself here, then get a new pastor. Its not an easy job as you know; and it carries with it the responsibility of overseeing and caring for yours souls, as well as the souls of the lost in the community as we endeavor to do the work of an evangelist. I don’t want honor and respect for my sake, believe me, but for the Lord’s sake and for the furtherance of this church in our community.

Where is the Lord God of Elijah? He is with His churches and His pastor’s. We have a message of saving grace for you tonight. The Lord God has commissioned us to preach the gospel of His Son to every sinner. Perhaps you are that sinner tonight that the Lord will save by His grace. Upon the authority of the Word of God we beseech you to repent of your sins, and come to Jesus, believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day for your justification and eternal life. Believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior while you may, while it is called today!!!

Where is the Lord God of Elijah? I hope and pray that He is living in your heart by faith in Jesus. Trust Him now. Believe on Him now. If you are a believer confess Him tonight, and serve Him with your life in His Church.

(Preached by Pastor Burke at the Calvary Baptist Church)