A Tale of Two Cities — Benedict Allmand-Smith

Date: Sunday 16th February 2025

Location: Trinity Baptist Church Charlesworth

Title: A Tale of Two Cities

Text: 2 Kings 2: 19 - 25

Please listen to the audio of Benedict's sermon below:

https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/217251143581540

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A Tale of Two Cities: Jericho and Bethel 

In the biblical narrative, the cities of Jericho and Bethel represent two contrasting tales of blessing and curse. A fascinating chiasm emerges when we examine these cities. One, Jericho, shifts from a cursed state to a blessed condition, while Bethel experiences the reverse—a blessed city succumbing to a curse. At the heart of these transformations is the word of God, spoken by the servant of God, Elisha, whose authority reflects the power of Jesus Christ. 

We shall take these two cases in reverse order: Bethel, in verses 23-25, first, and Jericho, in verses 19 to 22, second.  

The City of Bethel: Blessed to Cursed 

Bethel, meaning “House of God”, was once a place of blessing in biblical history. It was here that Jacob had his vision of the ladder reaching to heaven, on which occasion he said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God” (Genesis 28:17-19). Despite this sacred history, Bethel had fallen into sin, and its inhabitants were indulging in idolatry. This city, once a beacon of God’s blessing, was now steeped in moral turpitude. 

Though this city of historic blessing had already fallen from its eminence, it was to be further cast-down by God because of the wickedness of its inhabitants. The curse pronounced was not upon the city itself, but upon a group of its youth. This group of youths emerge from the city, mocking Elisha, God’s representative. They call out to him, “Go up, you baldhead!”, a dismissive insult, likely mocking his association with Elijah, who was recently taken up to heaven. These youths, aware of Elisha’s prophetic authority and recent miracles, still see fit to scorn him and God. Their mocking was not just against Elisha, but against God himself. 

In response, Elisha calls down a curse, and two she-bears emerge from the woods, mauling 42 of the youths. This harsh judgment serves as a solemn warning against mocking the messenger of God and rejecting his authority. The curse is a direct result of their contempt for God’s messenger, a reminder that God does not overlook scorn and mockery. However, some of the youths were spared, symbolizing the possibility of repentance and the reality of second chances. God's mercy is seen in these second chances, and to those who are still alive his grace is available, but it must be sought while there is still time. 

The City of Jericho: Cursed to Blessed 

Jericho, on the other hand, is cursed at the start of our passage. Though the city seems outwardly prosperous, its water supply was contaminated, rendering the land barren and unproductive (2 Kings 2:19). The curse upon Jericho traces back to a violation of God’s command in Joshua 6:26, where it was prophesied that anyone who rebuilt Jericho would do so at the cost of their sons’ lives. Jericho was rebuilt, and this curse enacted in 1 Kings 16:34. The curse we see in our study passage of the bad water was almost certainly a result of the disobedience towards God in the building of this city. Much like the original curse in the Garden of Eden, this curse symbolises the barrenness that results from rejection of God’s commands. 

However, when the men of Jericho turn to Elisha for help, the city’s curse is lifted. Elisha asks for a new bowl and salt, symbolic of purification, and casts it into the water. Instantly, the water is healed, restoring life and fertility to the land. This miraculous act reveals the power of God's word, mediated through Elisha, to reverse the curse and bring blessing. 

As we have explored earlier in this series, Elisha’s actions in Jericho foreshadow the work of Jesus, who, by His word, heals the spiritual barrenness of his people. Just as Elisha’s word brought healing to the water, Jesus’ word brings healing to our souls, taking away the curse of sin and its consequences and giving the blessing of eternal life. 

The Heart of the Matter: Faith and Respect 

What differentiates these cities and their experiences of a blessing or curse is their response to the man of God. In Bethel, the youths’ mocking reveals their contempt for God’s authority, while in Jericho, the men show respect and belief in Elisha’s power to change their situation. Their faith in Elisha is rewarded with healing and restoration. 

This dichotomy of responses is the one available to us in relation to Jesus Christ. He, like Elisha, has the power to bless and curse; but his power is one which can bless or curse eternally. The crucial question is: how do we respond to Him? Do we approach Him in humility, acknowledging His authority, and seeking His blessing, or do we mock and reject His word, leading to judgment? 

Conclusion: A Warning and Invitation 

The tale of these two cities serves as both a warning and an invitation. It reminds us of the consequences of mocking God and his messengers. But it also points to the possibility of transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. Just as Elisha healed the waters of Jericho and turned a cursed land into a blessed one, Jesus offers us healing and eternal life through his sacrifice. The only thing that truly matters is our relationship with the servant of God, Jesus Christ. Will we mock him, or will we humble ourselves before him, seeking His forgiveness and blessing? 

The choice is ours. As the Bible says, "Seek the LORD while He may be found" (Isaiah 55:6). If we come to him in faith, he will heal us from our spiritual bareness, bless us with forgiveness of sins and grant us eternal life. Amen.