Elisha and the She Bears: What in the World is This All About?
The Word of God is scattered with extraordinary and miraculous stories—but some of them can spin your head. If you’ve ever read 2 Kings 2, you encountered one of the Bible’s strangest stories, guarenteed: the encounter between the prophet Elisha and a group of young boys who get mauled by bears.
At first glance, it feels like a bizarre plot twist that doesn’t really fit in with the rest of the biblical narrative. It seems vicious, cruel, and fanciful, like an insensitive old nursery rhyme about what happens to naughty children who don’t behave. But when you dig a little deeper, you’ll find that this tale is woven into the complex story of God’s people in the Bible and carries an important truth for us today.
Setting the Scene
To really grasp the significance of this story, we need to understand the backdrop of 2 Kings. This book follows the tumultuous history following the political divide between the despondent Israel in the north, and the more-or-less righteous Judah in the south. This story is set in norther Israel during the time of the divided kingdom, and the northern kingdom was spiraling into deep corruption and idolatry. The evil kings of Israel were leading the people away from God, and it was during this dark time that the prophet Elijah made a dramatic entrance. He became a powerful voice for God when no one else would speak up, challenging the pagan practices that had taken root in Israel.
After Elijah’s fiery exit to heaven in a chariot of fire (Read 2 Kings 2:1–18, it’s a fascinating story!), Elisha steps up as his successor, continuing the mission of restoring true worship in Israel. This is a crucial transition, as Elisha is now basically the soul bearer of God’s life-giving message in a nation that has completely turned its back on Him.
What’s with the Bears?
This is where things get interesting. This chapter is best read with a Bible map in hand because the landscape is important. Elijah ascends to heaven earlier in this chapter when he and his protege Elisha stop to talk at the east side of the Jordan—just like Joshua when he and the Israelites were coming in to take Promised Land. And, get this, just like how the waters of the Jordan parted when Joshua brought the ark of the covenant through (Josh. 3), the waters also part when Elisha strikes the river with Elijah’s mantle, which was left for Elisha to take up. Elisha passes through the river on dry ground and heads up in the direction of Jericho, like an invading one-man-army of Israel, fresh out of the wilderness.
2 Kings 2 mentions Elisha is heading to Bethel, he’s actually passing by the ruins of Ai, which are pretty close by when you track Elisha’s road. This is likely where the young boys “came out” (2 Kings 2:23) to confront him. In Hebrew, the term for “came out” is iyr, the same word used for armies in Joshua 8. Joshua’s story also mentions an ambush of Israelite soldiers Joshua set up between Bethel and Ai (Josh. 8:9). The Bible loves to echo symbolism in stories to drive home the message it’s trying to make. Bear with me, so to speak, as we continue with this train of thought.
Archaeologists think they’ve pinpointed Ai’s location southeast of Bethel, near the Wadi Sheban, which could have served as a hidden spot for Joshua’s ambush (Josh. 8:12). In 2 Kings 2, while the bears’ appearance isn’t described as an ambush, they do come from the woods (thickets often grow in Wadi’s in Israel, now and in ancient times). The appearance of the two bears echoes the surprise element in Joshua’s battle against the pagan armies of Ai.
Now, why bears and boys? Why not an army coming out to stop this lone prophet? The Bible has a good reason. This brutal scene links to another Scripture: Leviticus 26. This chapter lists divine punishments for disobedience, including a very odd and specific one: wild animals killing Israelite children (Lev. 26:22). For the original readers, wild animals attacking kids symbolized divine judgment—a recurring theme in the Bible (Deut. 32:24; Lev. 26:22). Bethel, where Jeroboam I set up a golden calf (1 Kings 12:25–33), represents rebellion. Elisha’s call for judgment reflects God’s message, as he faced a people straying from His path, leading to exile under Assyria in 722 BC.
Understanding the Context
It sounds harsh, but remember, a lot was riding on Israel to be God’s people on earth, redeeming the earth (and the pagan nations, that’s right) back to their original goodness and perfection at Eden. The Law of Moses aims to restore harmony with God, but when Israel rejects it, like they were doing in earnest at the time of this chapter, the whole world suffers. Israel’s rejection of God, and His instruction, led to disaster, chaos, and rampant evil in northern Israel. It was a mercy an army of bears didn’t descend on the city of Ai!
To appreciate what’s happening here, we need to remember the context. Elisha’s ministry is set against the backdrop of a nation that had abandoned God’s redemptive plan and turned to other gods. This was a time when God’s prophets were often met with deadly hostility, and the ridicule from the boys can be seen as representative of the broader rejection of God in Israel.
Moreover, the passage doesn’t dwell on the violence; it simply reports the event without heavy commentary. This might suggest that the author wants readers to consider the seriousness of mocking God’s chosen messenger. The bulk of the narrative in 2 Kings 2 lingers on Elijah, Elisha, and their message.
Lessons for Today
So, what does this strange tale mean for us today? First, it reminds us of the weight of our choices and the repercussions of going our own way and rejecting God’s instruction. The Bible is not a set of arbitrary rules, it’s God’s map to humans to find true life in Him. While we live under grace in Jesus Christ, the call for obedience to God’s commands still stands, and offer the only real way to life and wholeness. Disregarding God’s ways can lead to real, even deadly consequences in our lives, just as it did in ancient Israel.
Second, the story challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes. Are we, like the boys, mocking or disregarding God’s authority in our lives? Do we show contempt for godliness or godly people in our culture? Or are we striving to follow His path, even when it’s difficult or confusing?
Conclusion
The story of Elisha and the bears might seem like an odd footnote in the biblical story, but it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of respect for God and His messengers. In a world that often mocks faith, we’re called to hold fast to the truth, understanding that our choices have weight and meaning. Just as the Israelites faced consequences for their actions, we too must consider how we live in alignment with God’s will. Ultimately, this bizarre tale invites us to reflect on our faith and encourages us to embrace the path of obedience and trust in God’s plan.
Dreams, Visions, and Authority in the Bible
Leave a Reply