Faith in the living, resurrected Word (while the scriptures are only 50% historically accurate).

[Saint Steven]

So who picks and chooses?

Who chooses what?
I'm taking issue with those who claim that every word in a Bible translation is the infallible and inspired Word of God.

Saint Steven said: ↑
Is the Bible in fact "the word of God", or is it a book that CONTAINS the word of God?

 

[Saint Steven]

Okay, but I don't see the parallels. Elijah sends fire on 2 x 51 men, Elisha sends 2 bears on 42 boys. What am I missing?

I think we get the term "passing the mantel" (of authority) from the relationship between Elijah and Elisha. See scripture below. So, the connection between the two events you asked about are a confirmation of the transfer of power. Confirming for both Elisha and the people that the authority of Elijah had passed to Elisha.

2 Kings 2:13-14
Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

Saint Steven said: ↑
This came up on the Godfire topic. @Lazarus Short
On this topic we had made reference to Elisha and the bears. (2 Kings 2:23-25)
It was probably a comparative to this story about Elijah.
Fire fell from heaven and consumed 51 men twice. (two captains and their companies)
Leaving the third company captain mighty nervous. (understandably)

2 Kings 1:9-15
Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down!’”
10 Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men.
11 At this the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. The captain said to him, “Man of God, this is what the king says, ‘Come down at once!’”
12 “If I am a man of God,” Elijah replied, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
13 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. “Man of God,” he begged, “please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! 14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!”
15 The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.

 

[Shrewd Manager]

I think we get the term "passing the mantel" (of authority) from the relationship between Elijah and Elisha. See scripture below. So, the connection between the two events you asked about are a confirmation of the transfer of power. Confirming for both Elisha and the people that the authority of Elijah had passed to Elisha.

2 Kings 2:13-14
Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

Saint Steven said: ↑
This came up on the Godfire topic. @Lazarus Short
On this topic we had made reference to Elisha and the bears. (2 Kings 2:23-25)
It was probably a comparative to this story about Elijah.
Fire fell from heaven and consumed 51 men twice. (two captains and their companies)
Leaving the third company captain mighty nervous. (understandably)

2 Kings 1:9-15
Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down!’”
10 Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men.
11 At this the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. The captain said to him, “Man of God, this is what the king says, ‘Come down at once!’”
12 “If I am a man of God,” Elijah replied, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
13 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. “Man of God,” he begged, “please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! 14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!”
15 The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.

I get that Elisha went for a 'double portion' and think you may be on to something, because there are parallels between their miracles. Just not sure that's the one.

Let's go fish?
Miracles of Elijah and Elisha

 

[Saint Steven]

I get that Elisha went for a 'double portion' and think you may be on to something, because there are parallels between their miracles. Just not sure that's the one.

Let's go fish?
Miracles of Elijah and Elisha

Thanks for the link, but which miracle is not the point. The bit with the bears is a brutal event, as are the burning of two companies of soldiers. But both confirm the power that the prophets were wielding. In that regard I find this verse amazing. The angel told Elijah not to be afraid. - lol (after two companies of soldiers had already been vaporized) Seriously?

2 Kings 1:15
The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.

Saint Steven said: ↑
I think we get the term "passing the mantel" (of authority) from the relationship between Elijah and Elisha. See scripture below. So, the connection between the two events you asked about are a confirmation of the transfer of power. Confirming for both Elisha and the people that the authority of Elijah had passed to Elisha.

2 Kings 2:13-14
Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

 

[Shrewd Manager]

Thanks for the link, but which miracle is not the point. The bit with the bears is a brutal event, as are the burning of two companies of soldiers. But the both confirm the power that the prophets were wielding.

Ok. Still, I can more readily accept twice 50 enemy soldiers and their captains as an reflection of the numerical power of God's anointing. But 42 is a specific number, and I believe has a 'remez' meaning. In fact, all miracles have allegorical power, which is their 'aeonian', transcendent or spiritual meaning. That's the gold I'd like to purchase.

The angel told Elijah not to be afraid. - lol (after two companies of soldiers had already been vaporized) Seriously?

Haha, Elijah was like that, recall after he overcame the priests of Ba'al, he hightailed it for fear of Jezebel.

I think we get the term "passing the mantel" (of authority) from the relationship between Elijah and Elisha. See scripture below. So, the connection between the two events you asked about are a confirmation of the transfer of power. Confirming for both Elisha and the people that the authority of Elijah had passed to Elisha.

It was early on in Elisha's ministry, so yes.

 

[Saint Steven]

Ok. Still, I can more readily accept twice 50 enemy soldiers and their captains as an reflection of the numerical power of God's anointing. But 42 is a specific number, and I believe has a 'remez' meaning. In fact, all miracles have allegorical power, which is their 'aeonian', transcendent or spiritual meaning. That's the gold I'd like to purchase.

That sort of work is above my pay grade. - lol

 

[Shrewd Manager]

That sort of work is above my pay grade. - lol

You and me both. That's one reason Jesus sent the HS:

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. (Jn 14:16)

 

[Saint Steven]

You and me both. That's one reason Jesus sent the HS:

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. (Jn 14:16)

I'm heading to work. Catch you on the flip side. (if there is one) - lol