Wiped Out by God

June 5, 2009

Today's Reading: 2 Kings 1-2 and 2 Corinthians 7

Imagine if you knew that today you were going to die. I suppose the next obvious and most often asked question is: “what would you do that is different”. I’m certain that some of us, including myself, would probably repent as much as possible. However, I wouldn’t really have to if I truly repented in the first place.

I suppose that I could talk about Elijah, because he actually knew when he was going to die. However, he never really experienced death, did he? He was carried aloft by some whirlwind. He is only one of two people known that went to God without dying.

No, I’m talking about the fifty men who came to see Elijah and were incinerated. I can imagine that the soldiers who had come to get him probably thought: “well, fifty men to get one guy, this is overkill”. Of course, the only overkill that happened was with the men.

I can’t help but wonder what the second group of men were thinking when they went to get Elijah. Did they think: “Fire from heaven? Right. Let’s just go get these guys and make fun of the guys that didn’t do it right the first time.” And then they all died.

So we have, what, one hundred lives that were lost all because Ahaziah fell down and wanted to consult someone. You know, if he went to Elijah in the first place, this never would have happened. But he didn’t, he went to consult Baal-zebub. Isn’t this the same as Beelzebub? So, instead of going to God, you go to the devil?

I suppose there was some sort of complication with this, and why Ahaziah chose to go to this ungodly counselor is not mentioned. Fortunately, there was one wise leader of fifty men who begged Elijah to come with him.

I feel sorry for this guy. He probably wanted to do his job, but he didn’t want to get torched in the process. At least, he had to beg for help.

And let’s talk about the boys who made fun of Elisha’s bald head. Bears came and killed forty two youths who were just doing what most boys would do. Now the toll is up to about 150.

Sometimes I wonder how God can see fit to sacrifice lives in his plan for humanity. I suppose that one hundred men is probably a small fraction of all humanity, but it certainly feels like a terrible price to pay for it.

The lesson here is: don’t disobey the Lord. If you think it won’t lead to death, maybe you’re right. It may not lead to your death, but man, be mindful as it leads to others dying.