First appearing in Deuteronomy 13:13, there is a phrase that appears some 16 times in the King James Version, while the original word appears 27 times all up. That phrase is ‘of belial’. Whether it’s children, daughter, sons, or men – they are described as ‘of belial’. The literal translation is ‘without profit’ or ‘worthlessness’.
It’s a fascinating description of individuals that have no value. That’s right. Nothing of value. If you are conditioned to always look for the good in people, it might be worthwhile to take note that according to Scripture there are people who God describes as having no value!
In an age when so many churches are preaching a diluted gospel that is not really the gospel of Jesus Christ, declaring unconditional love, it’s perhaps becoming more important than ever to understand what it is that makes someone ‘a child of belial, or in plain English, a child of worthlessness, a child with no value.’
As we will see moving forward in the second part, the Scripture provides a concise explanation for who someone who is worthless is. What is important for us to note today is that the children of Belial are not necessarily outside of the church. In 1 Samuel 2:12, it’s noted by the author that the sons of Eli, priests of the tabernacle, were sons of Belial!
It is then apparent, as this title is by the author not an insult, that it is possible to be ‘in the tabernacle/church’, and yet be considered and judged ‘worthless’ by God.
In Proberbs 6:12, the word for ‘belial’ is translated as ‘naughty’. If you read that passage, in verse 15 it prophetically speaks of the end of such people – a sudden breaking with no remedy.
In Nahum 1:15 the same word appears as ‘the wicked’, saying, ‘the wicked shall no more pass through thee, he is utterly cut off.’
When someone reaches the stage that they are classified as ‘a child of belial’, that is to say, they exhibit the character of such a person, they have reached a place where all that is left is destruction. Why destruction? Because there is no value in it. A child of belial is as the fig tree which bears no figs. A vine bearing thorns. Chaff in the threshing floor. Salt with no saltiness.
When you dive into the concept of the ‘child of belial’, it becomes apparent that there is a place you can go that God can no longer, will no longer, reach you. It’s the road to perdition. That’s why it’s important to grasp the ‘worthlessness’ aspect. There is NO value left. Nothing. It’s worthless. It brings to us the important truth that we have a responsibility to make sure we are willing to be molded by the Word of God. That we have a responsibility to obey His commandments. It brings to us the truth that if we choose to rebel, there is a place we can go from which there is no return.
In closing, there are two reasons you should take some time to understand what it means and takes to be a child of belial – a worthless person.
Firstly, so that you don’t find yourself in that place. Beware the pride that tells you, only heathens can be children of belial. As we’ve pointed out already, God’s Word labelled priests as ‘sons of belial’.
Secondly, it helps identify those people so that you can protect yourself and those around you from them. Deuteronomy 13:13-16 directed God’s people to eradicate any such people from among them. Literally. Nothing was to be spared. We don’t live in that age anymore, but it doesn’t change the principle. You most definitely should avoid being associated and friends with people who are worthless. Worthless by the standards of God, not man.
Stay tuned as in part 2 we will look at the actual description of these people and what we need to look out for, in ourselves as well as in our associations.
Talking Bible 