The Old Testament is not just a religious book, to be read solely through the lens of faith in the truth of its contents. It is also a historic text. Not so much about the accuracy of the events described, but about the beliefs and mindset of the ancient Israelites who compiled its stories, and adopted them as life guidelines. Some of the book’s most captivating stories are about God’s punishments of those who displeased Him. Below are twenty four facts about some of the Old Testament’s more fascinating divine punishment tales.
24. Yahweh Did Not Like Brats
As anybody educated in public schools knows, kids can be pretty mean. Give them somebody to make fun of, and children can be cruel as they pile on to tease, mock, and otherwise torment and bully. Aside from the kids doing the mocking, few like that. But do you know who especially doesn’t like that? Yahweh, if the Old Testament is anything to go by.
Take that time He sent bears to wreck a bunch of kids making fun of a bald guy, as described in the narrative of Elisha and the she bears, 2 Kings 2:23-25. The story is often mistakenly attributed to the prophet Elijah, but it actually involves Elisha, his prophetic successor. Per the Old Testament, this happened shortly after Elisha took over from Elijah as prophet, when the latter was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind.
