ToddGaddisBook_October2023_8.5x5.5.indd

this horrific act, the Lord said to Cain, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground. Now you are cursed from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand” (Genesis 4:10.11). As a result, the ground no longer produced a crop for Cain, who then became a vagrant and wander er on the earth. According to Scripture, “Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swal low in its flying, So a curse without cause does not alight” (Proverbs 26:2). In other words, a curse is ineffective and will not come to pass if it does not originate with God.When Balaam was asked by Balak to cast an unjust hex on the Isrealites, he said, “How can I curse whom God has not cursed? And how can I denounce who the Lord has not denounced?” (Numbers 23:8). Because of the nature of the youth’s transgression, Elisha knew he spoke on behalf of God, pronouncing the curse on them in the name of the Lord. As a result: Then came the bears- Two in fact, came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. On the surface, one might say, “Oh my goodness, why such severe punishment? After all, weren’t these just boys doing what boys do; hanging out, showing off and burning up a little energy? On the other hand, this points out just how seriously God takes such matters. Sin is sin and must be dealt with. Granted, the punishment is usually not this swift and severe.Yet, keep in mind, a precedent needs to be set and a statement made to authenticate Elisha’s newly established ministry. I think of Ananias and Sapphira, early members of the first century church, when it comes to immediate and heavy conse quences.They lied to God and deceived the people by keeping back

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