“Are You in Bethel or Beth-Aven?” From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. “Go on up, you baldhead!” they said. “Go on up, you baldhead!” He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. 2 Kings 2:23-24 ---------------------- “Are You in Bethel or Beth-Aven?” 2 Kings 2:23-25 I. The account of Elisha at Bethel seems harsh unless you consider: 1) The history of Bethel, meaning “House of God” (Genesis 28:19). Bethel was later called “Beth-Aven” meaning “house of evil” (Hosea 10:5) as Jeroboam built a temple for a golden calf at Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-30) 2) The jeering of the youths (23) reflected the mindset of the community. They jeered him, not just for his bald head, but because he was a prophet of God and not a follower of Jeroboam’s golden calf 3) The phrase “Go on up” was most likely intended to mock the ascension of Elijah. Their taunting and disbelief foreshadowed the taunts given to Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:39-44) II. Applications: 1) Religion itself is not ridiculed by the world. False religions are accepted, just as calf worship was revered in Bethel. It is biblical, Christ-centered religion that is ridiculed (23, John 15:18-25) 2) There is blessing for those who listen to God’s Word and accept His messengers (19-22), but judgment for those who reject His Word and His messengers (24; 2 Chronicles 36:16; John 12:47-48) 3) All humanity is figuratively in Bethel or Beth-Aven. We are only in Bethel – God’s house – through saving faith in His Son (John 14:6)

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 “God Is Our Refuge and Strength” Psalm 46:1-11 I. This Psalm has been a great comfort to believers throughout the ages as it reminds us that the Sovereign Lord controls all things: 1) Nature (1-3) 2) History (4-6) 3) The future (8-10) II. Our response: 1) Find refuge and strength in God alone (1), through faith in Jesus, as He is the only way to God the Father (John 14:6) 2) Lay your fears on the Lord (2), since He promises to be with all who have saving faith in Christ alone (7, 11; Romans 8:28-39) 3) Be still, and know that the Lord is God, and rules over all (10)