One of the greatest object lessons in the Bible on the subject of despising authority is in II Kings 2:23-25, “Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, ‘Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!’ So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths.” The scripture says, “Little children” came from the city of Bethel and “mocked him,” (Elisha the Prophet). Elisha turned back and pronounced a curse upon them and bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of them. The word translated “little children” probably means young men. They were well old enough to know better than to disrespect the man of God. Probably the young men in the story learned their “disrespect” at home. One of the quickest ways for parents to send their children to hell is to discredit the man of God. Criticize his message or mannerism before your children and you will soon breed the spirit of criticism in them. Many parents will stand in the judgment with broken and anguish-filled hearts from this fatal mistake. “Come, my children listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD” Psalm 34:11. What an admonition for parents, especially in these days we are living when there is disrespect on every hand. If you teach your children wrongly, he believes you; if you teach him heresies, he will receive them; what you teach him now, he will never forget. You are not sowing, as some say, on virgin soil, for it has long been occupied by the devil. You are sowing on a soil more fertile now than it ever will be, soil that will produce fruit now, far better than it will do in after days. You are sowing on a young heart, and what you sow will be pretty sure to abide there, especially if you teach evil, for that will never be forgotten. Wound the child’s hand (or bottom) if you will, but for God’s sake do not wound his heart. Say what you like about temporal things; but in spiritual matters; take care how you lead him. With such a responsibility, how solemn your work is. Your child needs teaching. He was born in iniquity; in sin did his mother conceive him. He has an evil heart, he knows not God, and he never will know the Lord unless he is taught. Scatter the good seed upon your child’s heart. Remember if that seed be not sown, he will be lost forever, and his life will be a life of alienation from God. One who has the fear of the Lord will believe what He says in His Word. Take the first step; seek the Lord by being faithful in your duty to not forsake the assembling of yourself and your family in attending the designated times of worship. Teach your children how important it is to be in an assembly that teaches the truth of God’s Word.
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