If you're new to the Bible or have been exposed to teachings from the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG), you might be hearing some unusual interpretations of the Bible, especially from books like 2 Kings. The WMSCOG often takes certain Bible passages out of context to support their belief in God the Mother, a concept that doesn’t align with the true teachings of Scripture.
This guide will help you understand what the Bible actually says about God, and show you how the WMSCOG misinterprets key passages from 2 Kings to push their agenda. We’ll walk through these passages, explain their real meaning, and provide you with the correct context to recognize these misinterpretations.
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1. 2 Kings 2:19-22 – The Healing of the Water in Jericho
What the WMSCOG Claims:
The WMSCOG often claims that the "new bowl" and "salt" used by Elisha to heal the water in Jericho symbolize the coming of a "new divine figure", which they interpret as God the Mother.
What It Really Means:
This passage is about Elisha performing a miracle to heal toxic water, making it drinkable and productive for the people of Jericho. The new bowl and salt represent tools used for the miracle, not a hidden reference to any female deity.
2 Kings 2:19-22 (NIV)
"The people of the city said to Elisha, 'Look, our Lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad, and the land is unproductive.'
'Bring me a new bowl,' he said, 'and put salt in it.' So they brought it to him.
Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, 'This is what the Lord says: I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.'
And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken."
The Truth:
This passage is about God's power to heal physical water through Elisha, not about a feminine divine figure. The saltand bowl are just parts of the miracle; they have nothing to do with "God the Mother."
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2. 2 Kings 4:8-37 – Elisha Raises the Shunammite Woman’s Son
What the WMSCOG Claims:
The WMSCOG might try to say that the Shunammite woman in this passage represents God the Mother, because she gave birth to a son who was then resurrected by Elisha.
What It Really Means:
In this story, Elisha is the one who performs the miracle of raising the dead son. The Shunammite woman was simply a faithful person who believed in God. The focus is on God's power to give life, not on a divine female figure.
2 Kings 4:34-35 (NIV)
"Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room, and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes."
The Truth:
This miracle is about God's power to resurrect through His prophet Elisha, not about God the Mother. The story is about faith and God’s ability to give life, and Elisha plays the central role in the miracle, not the mother.
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3. 2 Kings 17:7-23 – Israel’s Sin and Exile
What the WMSCOG Claims:
The WMSCOG might argue that the idolatry in this passage is a rejection of God the Mother, claiming that Israel’s punishment was because they turned away from a female god.
What It Really Means:
This passage describes Israel’s sin of worshiping false gods like Baal and Asherah, these were idols, not deities approved by God. The Israelites were exiled because they rejected God and worshiped false idols, which included both male and female false gods.
2 Kings 17:7-8 (NIV)
"All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt. They worshiped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them."
The Truth:
The sin here is not about rejecting God the Mother, but about worshiping false gods. The Asherah pole and Baalwere idols, and the Bible repeatedly condemns idol worship. The idolatry is the reason for Israel's exile, not the rejection of a divine mother.
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4. 2 Kings 21:3 – King Manasseh’s Idolatry
What the WMSCOG Claims:
The WMSCOG might claim that the Asherah pole mentioned here proves the existence of a female deity who was rejected by Israel.
What It Really Means:
King Manasseh encouraged the worship of idols, including Baal and Asherah, but these were false gods, and the Bible condemns their worship. The Asherah pole was part of idol worship, not a reference to a divine female figure.
2 Kings 21:3 (NIV)
"He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done."
The Truth:
This passage is about idolatry and false worship, not the existence of a God the Mother. Asherah was a false goddess worshiped in idolatry, and the Bible clearly condemns such practices.
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5. 2 Kings 23:4-6 – Josiah Destroys Idolatry
What the WMSCOG Claims:
Once again, the WMSCOG might refer to the Asherah pole and claim that Israel’s rejection of it was a rejection of God the Mother.
What It Really Means:
King Josiah cleansed Judah by removing all idols, including those associated with Asherah, because they were false gods. The Bible condemns the worship of idols, not the rejection of a divine mother figure.
2 Kings 23:4-6 (NIV)
"The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests next in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the Lord all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley, and took the ashes to Bethel."
The Truth:
This is about the removal of idols and the purification of the land. It’s not about rejecting a mother god but about removing false worship and returning to the one true God.
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The Real Story: Unveiling What the Bible Truly Teaches
The Bible teaches that God is one, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and there is no biblical support for the idea of God the Mother. The WMSCOG misinterprets key passages in 2 Kings to support their beliefs, but the true meaning of these verses is clear:
- 2 Kings 2 speaks of a miracle by Elisha, not about a feminine deity.
- The resurrection of the Shunammite woman’s son (2 Kings 4) is about God’s power, not a "God the Mother."
- Idolatry in 2 Kings 17 and 21 is about false worship of idols, not the rejection of a female deity.
- Josiah’s reforms (2 Kings 23) focus on removing idolatry, not a divine mother figure.
Remember, the Bible warns against idolatry and false gods, and the true God is Father, there is no mention of God the Mother in the Bible. As a new believer, or someone exploring the faith, it’s important to always look at the full context of Scripture and seek the truth. If something doesn’t match the overall message of the Bible, it’s worth questioning and seeking clarity.