Do short people go to heaven? Introduction
Many people have different views about the concept of going to heaven and the requirements for doing so. Some scholars believe that having a short height suggests a punishment from God, and according to some of them, a short person might have no chance of making it to heaven.
Even though we have the Bible as our yardstick, the concept and criteria of making heaven are still heavily debated. The Bible is clear on the basic criteria for making heaven from these references:
Romans 10: 9-13 (ESV)
Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved.
Matthew 7:21 (ESV)
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
In this guide, we will be looking at the prospects of short people as regards making heaven or not.
Where are short people mentioned in the Bible?
There are some instances in the Bible where a person’s height is being referenced, like Eliab, the son of Jesse, who Samuel thought would be King. Another example is Goliath, the Giant who was slain by David.
For short individuals, there are only two places in the Bible that talk about them: Leviticus 21 and Luke 19.
Leviticus 21 contains a compendium of instructions and requirements that God gave Moses regarding Priesthood service.
For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, a man blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, or a man who has an injured foot or an injured hand, or a hunchback or a dwarf or a man with a defect in his sight or an itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles.
Aaron was the first priest of Israel ordained by God. Hence, many scholars refer to him as the founder of the priesthood in Israel.
According to Leviticus 21, the descendants from his lineage who do not meet the requirements were not qualified to present offerings in the temple to the Lord. The law permitted them to eat from the holy food, but not approach the altar because of their defect.
Another portion of the scriptures that mentions a short person was Zacchaeus.
And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd, he could not because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.
According to these verses, Zacchaeus longed to see Jesus when he heard that he was in Jericho. However, the major constraint he had was his height. But, he was graced to see a sycamore tree to climb on, so he could see Jesus.
Should short people be punished?
According to Leviticus 21:20, many Bible scholars believe that being short is a punishment by God. Therefore, they believe that is why they were prevented from serving as priests in Israel.
However, aside from this verse, there is no place in the Bible that talks about short people being punished.
Instead here is the criteria for anyone to be saved, irrespective of their height, color, etc.
Romans 10:12-13 (ESV)
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Short people did not choose their heights. Therefore, they should not get punished for it. Like their tall counterparts, they have equal rights to getting saved, and also positively impacting their generation.
Also, short individuals can find solace in the verse where Jesus showed his public acceptance of Zacchaeus, not minding his height or past records.
Luke 19:5 (ESV)
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”
Does a person’s height prevent them from worshipping God?
Some schools of thought believe that short people are not qualified to worship God, due to the requirements in Leviticus 21:18-20 that prevent a priest from performing his reverend duties.
It is important to mention that in the old testament, priests had unlimited access to the temple, unlike the Children of Israel. So, they had the golden opportunity to perform different types of worship to God on behalf of the Children of Israel.
Leviticus 21: 18-20 (ESV)
For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, a man blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, or a man who has an injured foot or an injured hand, or a hunchback or a dwarf or a man with a defect in his sight or an itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles.
Therefore, different theology experts agree that dwarfs, alongside other physical features mentioned in Leviticus 21: 18-20, disqualify some people from the priesthood.
Case Study: Zacchaeus
The story of Zacchaeus is one that many believers are conversant with. When Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was in Jericho, he made all efforts to catch a glimpse of him.
Luke 19: 1-5 (ESV)
He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd, he could not because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a Sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.
Since there was a large crowd following Jesus, it was impossible for Zacchaeus to see Jesus because of his height. Therefore, he resorted to climbing a Sycamore tree to make up for his height. Zacchaeus’ bold and smart move paid off for him though, because Jesus noticed.
Luke 19: 6-10 (ESV)
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”
And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Jesus, who doubles as the son of God, and also God in human flesh, proceeded to lodge in the house of Zacchaeus, who was judged to be a sinner by people, and was also a short man.
But, Zacchaeus performs one of the true forms of worship, by acknowledging that Jesus is God. He called him “Lord,” and he promised to perform restitution of his evil deeds. Jesus responds to his act of worship in Luke 19: 9-10
Luke 19:9-10 (ESV)
And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
In this verse, it shows that Jesus was pleased with his act of worship, not minding his records or even his physical limitations like his height. This is another piece of evidence that, irrespective of your height, tall or short, Jesus is ever-ready to accept everyone to ensure we all make heaven.
How can short people get to heaven?
The primary requirement for anyone to make heaven, irrespective of their physical features, is to confess their sins and believe that Jesus is the son of God, the savior of mankind.
1 John 1:9 (ESV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 10:9 (ESV)
Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:12-13 (ESV)
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Conclusion
The Bible clearly teaches that anyone who accepts the gospel of Jesus Christ will be saved. Therefore, when they die, they will go to heaven. So your height is not a criteria. All you need to do is believe in Jesus Christ, and you are entitled to eternal life.
John 3: 16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
