DCLM DAILY MANNA DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FEBRUARY 7, 2023 (DON’T MOCK OTHERS!)
TOPIC : DON’T MOCK OTHERS!
Text: 2 Kings 2:19-25 (KJV)
19 And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
20 And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
21 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
22 So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.
23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
25 And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.
KEY VERSE: “And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.” – (2 Kings 2:23)
MESSAGE
Believers are light and salt of the world. They are to sweeten their environments and sanitize the society generally through the gospel of peace and truth, they turn darkness to light, bitterness to sweetness and crisis to peace.
Prophet Elisha in today’s text healed the water in Jericho and removed the barrenness of the land. He demanded for a new jar and put salt in it. He went straight to the spring of the waters and cast the salt in it to purify the water and the miracle happened immediately. This miracle was to establish Prophet Elisha as the man of God to replace Prophet Elijah.
As Prophet Elisha went up from Jericho to Bethel, some little children came to meet him to mock and jeer at him saying, “Go up, thou bald head, go up, thou bald head,” making allusion to the recent taking up of Prophet Elijah to heaven. Divine justice came upon the children as God knew that they had attained the age of accountability. They were old enough to be making jest of a man of God without any fear. Therefore, they were old enough to be responsible for their misdeeds. God hates sin in both young and old. Insult or mockery of men of God is an affront to God Himself. Men of God should be respected and honoured.
The judgment that came upon the children should compel Christian parents to give their children proper training so that they will not indulge in ungodly acts that will lead to their untimely death. Adults who malign and reproach men of God should repent before divine judgment comes upon them.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Gospel preaching has a better starting at home.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 22-23
Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM) written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi. It is an extraction of God’s Word designed to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word