Verses We Missed

Steve Webb

You’ve read it… but did you see it?
Verses We Missed uncovers the overlooked gems of Scripture, helping you hear God’s Word with fresh ears.

  1. Sep 16

    2 Kings 2:23-24-A Bald Prophet, 2 Bears, and 42 “Boys”

    Did God really send two bears to kill 42 little children because they made fun of a bald prophet? That’s how the story in 2 Kings 2:23-24 is often told. But is that what the Bible actually says? In this episode of Verses We Missed, we look at who these “boys” really were, why the Hebrew matters, what was significant about their coming out of Bethel, and what “Get out of here, baldy!” may have meant in light of what had just happened to Elijah. A Bald Prophet, 2 Bears and 42 “Boys” Before Elisha ever meets this group on the road, 2 Kings 2 has been establishing something important about him. Elijah is gone. His mantle has fallen to Elisha. The Jordan has parted. And God has demonstrated that Elisha is His prophet. Then Elisha heads toward Bethel. What happens next has become one of the strangest—and perhaps most misunderstood—stories in the Old Testament. Read and compare translations of 2 Kings 2:23 and 2 Kings 2:24 at BibleHub. Why Does Bethel Matter? This confrontation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Elisha has just left Jericho and is traveling toward Bethel—a place with an important history in Israel’s rebellion against God. After the kingdom divided, Jeroboam established an alternative center of worship at Bethel and placed a golden calf there. For that background, read 1 Kings 12:25-33 at Bible Gateway. So why does a large group come out of Bethel to confront God’s newly established prophet? Were They Really Little Children? The NIV calls them “boys.” Other translations use words such as “youths,” “young lads,” and “little children.” But the Hebrew expression is ne’arim qetannim, and its meaning isn’t quite as simple as the familiar retelling suggests. You can examine the Hebrew wording in BibleHub’s interlinear of 2 Kings 2. Who were these people? How old were they? And what can the same Hebrew terminology elsewhere in the Old Testament tell us? What Does “Go Up, Baldy!” Mean? The NIV renders their taunt, “Get out of here, baldy!” But the Hebrew uses a command meaning go up. That’s particularly interesting because someone else had just “gone up” earlier in the same chapter: Elijah. Coincidence? A command for Elisha to leave? Or something more pointed? And What About the 42? Two bears come out of the woods, and 42 are mauled. But does the passage actually say that 42 people were killed? This is a sobering account of God’s judgment. But it’s also a good example of why we need to read difficult Bible passages carefully rather than relying on the version of the story we’ve heard repeated over the years. Related Scriptures 1 Kings 12:26-33 – Jeroboam establishes worship centers at Bethel and Dan. 1 Kings 18 – Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal. 1 Kings 19:15-21 – Elisha is called to follow Elijah. 2 Kings 2:1-22 – Elijah’s departure, Elisha’s mantle, and the healing of Jericho’s water. Genesis 14:14-24 – An important comparison for the Hebrew word ne’arim. Podcast Chapters 00:00 A Bald Prophet, 2 Bears and 42 “Boys” 00:54 Welcome to Verses We Missed 01:45 Who Were Elijah and Elisha? 02:55 Elijah’s Mantle 04:32 Jericho 05:02 Bethel 06:05 Were They Little Children? 08:28 “Go Up, Baldy!” 10:08 The Curse 11:24 Jericho and Bethel 12:34 What Did We Miss? 13:39 Application 14:55 Prayer 15:55 Value for Value 17:44 Closing Thoughts Support the Show Verses We Missed is a value-for-value podcast. If this episode gave you something of value, consider returning value with your Time, Talent, or Treasure. Pray for the ministry, share this episode with someone who might need to hear it, contribute your skills or creativity, or support Lifespring! Media financially. Learn more at https://lifespringmedia.com/support/. More from Lifespring! Media If you enjoy digging deeper into God’s Word, you might also enjoy these other podcasts from Steve Webb: Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind Lifespring! In Touch With God’s Character Lifespring!

  2. Sep 2

    Colossians 1:11 – When You Can’t See the Wall

    What does Colossians 1:11 mean? Paul talks about being strengthened with God’s power and glorious might—but what he says that power is for might surprise us. In this episode of Verses We Missed, we explore why God’s power doesn’t always look like immediate healing, deliverance, or victory. Sometimes the race keeps going, the prayer remains unanswered, and we can’t see the wall. What does God’s strength look like then? Browse more episodes at Recent Episodes. When You Can’t See the Wall Colossians 1:11 (ESV) Colossians 1:11 (ESV) “being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;” Those are big words: all power and his glorious might. We might expect Paul to be talking about miracles, dramatic victories, or obstacles disappearing. Instead, he talks about endurance and patience. Why would God’s glorious power be needed for something as ordinary-sounding as endurance? And why does Paul add those especially challenging words, “with joy”? You can read Colossians 1:11 in context at ESV.org. When God’s Power Doesn’t Look Powerful We love victory stories. We love answered prayers, healing, provision, and deliverance—and we should celebrate when God does those things. But what about the story that isn’t finished yet? What about the prayer you’ve prayed for years? What about the difficulty that is still there when you wake up tomorrow morning? Colossians 1:11 points us toward a kind of divine strength we can easily overlook. When You Can’t See the Wall When I was younger, I was a competitive swimmer, and my best event was the 400-yard freestyle. It was an endurance race, and endurance didn’t magically appear on race day. But there was one advantage I had in the pool that we often don’t have in life’s hardest circumstances: I knew exactly where the finish line was. Sometimes in life, you can’t see the wall. In this episode, I share why that old swimming experience has given me a new way to think about Colossians 1:11—and about friends of mine who have been praying for healing for years without receiving the answer they’ve hoped for. Should We Pray for Deliverance or Endurance? Of course we should pray for healing and deliverance. But Paul’s prayer in Colossians gives us another way to pray when the answer hasn’t come. Maybe we’ve become so focused on asking God to demonstrate His power by removing the trial that we’ve overlooked another way His power can be at work while we’re still in it. That’s the part of Colossians 1:11 I don’t want us to miss. For more background on the setting, themes, and structure of Paul’s letter, see BibleProject’s guide to the book of Colossians. Related Scriptures Colossians 1:9-14 — The larger context of Paul’s prayer and the source of the believer’s joy and thanksgiving. James 1:2-4 — The testing of faith and the development of steadfastness. Romans 5:3-5 — Suffering, endurance, character, and hope. Podcast Chapters 00:00 When the Victory Hasn’t Come 00:56 Welcome to Verses We Missed 01:33 Strengthened for Endurance 03:39 What Swimming Taught Me About Endurance 05:14 When You Can’t See the Wall 06:58 Another Way to Pray 08:54 Endurance, Patience, and Joy 11:53 Strength for One More Stroke 13:48 Prayer 15:38 Value for Value 16:44 Keep Swimming Support the Show Verses We Missed is a value-for-value podcast. If this episode encouraged you, consider returning value in whatever way God puts on your heart—by praying for the ministry, sharing this episode with someone who needs encouragement, contributing your time or talent, or supporting Lifespring! Media financially. Learn more at https://lifespringmedia.com/support/. More from Lifespring! Media If you enjoy digging deeper into God’s Word, you might also enjoy these other podcasts from Steve Webb: Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind — Journey through the Bible with readings, commentary, and practical application. Lifespring! In Touch With God’s Character — Explore the names and character of God revealed in Scripture. Lifespring! — Bible teaching, Christian encouragement, interviews, and conversations about following Christ.

  3. Aug 19

    John 1:1-5 – Darkness Can Never Extinguish It

    What does John 1:5 mean? In one of the most beloved passages in Scripture, John reminds us that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” No matter how dark our world or our circumstances become, the light of Jesus Christ has never stopped shining. In this episode of Verses We Missed, we explore John 1:1–5 and discover why John introduces the theme of darkness so early in his Gospel. Along the way, we’ll see how Jesus is the eternal Word, the Creator, the source of life, and the Light that darkness can never overcome. Browse more episodes at Recent Episodes. Darkness Can Never Extinguish It John 1:1–5 (NLT) John opens his Gospel with breathtaking truths about Jesus, but nestled among those majestic verses is one statement that can easily be overlooked: John 1:5 (NLT) “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” Those few words remind us that darkness has never been a rival equal to God. It has never defeated His light, and it never will. What Does John 1:5 Mean? John begins by introducing Jesus as the eternal Word who existed before creation, was with God, and is God. Everything that exists was created through Him, and His life became the light of humanity. Only after establishing who Jesus is does John introduce darkness. That order matters. Before we can understand the struggle between light and darkness, we must first understand the supremacy of the One who is the Light. John’s declaration is wonderfully simple: the light continues to shine, and the darkness has never been able to extinguish it. Why Does John Mention Darkness? Darkness isn’t introduced because it’s equal to the light. Rather, it highlights the power and permanence of Christ. As Steve explains in this episode, darkness has no substance of its own. It is simply the absence of light. The moment light appears, darkness gives way. That picture helps us understand spiritual reality. Satan creates nothing; he corrupts what God has made. Evil has no independent power to overcome the Lord. John’s message is one of confidence: Jesus Christ continues to shine, regardless of how dark the world may appear. John 1:5 Explained in One Sentence John 1:5 teaches that Jesus Christ, the eternal Light, continually shines into a fallen world, and no power of darkness has ever been able to overcome, extinguish, or defeat Him. What Should We Do With This Truth? There are seasons when life feels dark. We face uncertainty, grief, unanswered prayers, or fears that seem larger in the middle of the night than they do during the day. John reminds us that our circumstances never determine whether Christ’s light is shining. Jesus remains exactly who He has always been. His light continues to reveal truth, guide His people, and bring life to everyone who trusts in Him. Rather than becoming consumed by darkness, believers are invited to fix their eyes on the One who has already overcome it. Related Scriptures Genesis 1:1–3 — John’s opening words intentionally echo creation, reminding us that the Light was present from the very beginning. John 8:12 — Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 — God shines His light into human hearts through Christ. 1 John 1:5 — God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. Podcast Chapters 00:00 Opening Reflection 01:39 Welcome to Verses We Missed 02:04 John 1:1–5 (NLT) 02:37 The Eternal Word 05:56 From Life to Light 06:57 Darkness Cannot Win 10:24 When Life Feels Dark 12:24 Why People Prefer Darkness 14:01 Jesus Enters the Darkness 15:20 The Verse We Missed 17:50 Closing Prayer 19:49 Support Verses We Missed 20:30 Final Blessing Support the Show Verses We Missed is a value-for-value podcast. If this episode encouraged you, consider returning value by praying for the ministry, sharing the episode with a friend, or supporting Lifespring! Media financially. Learn more at https://lifespringmedia.com/support/. More from Lifespring! Media If you enjoy digging deeper into God’s Word, you might also enjoy these other podcasts from Steve Webb: Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind — Journey through the entire Bible with daily readings, insightful commentary, and practical application. Lifespring! HymnStories — Discover the fascinating stories, theology, and history behind beloved Christian hymns. Lifespring! — Bible teaching, Christian encouragement, interviews, and conversations designed to help you grow in your walk with Christ.

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You’ve read it… but did you see it?
Verses We Missed uncovers the overlooked gems of Scripture, helping you hear God’s Word with fresh ears.

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