Prophet Elisha and the Bears | Bible Stories

The story of Elisha and the bears is found in 2 Kings 2:23-25. It tells of the prophet Elisha traveling to Bethel when a group of young boys came out and mocked him, saying "Go up, baldhead!" Elisha responded by cursing them in the name of the Lord. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled 42 of the boys.

This unusual and disturbing story raises many questions. Why did Elisha curse the boys for mocking him? Why did God send bears to attack children? What does this say about God's sense of justice? This video explores various interpretations of this challenging passage. Some see it as a lesson in showing proper respect for God's prophets. Others read it as an example of God's wrath in defense of his servant. And some see it as a violent overreaction that highlights the problem of evil.

Join me as we dive into this perplexing passage and wrestle with its meaning. The story of Elisha and the bears provides an opportunity to reflect on how we read and apply Old Testament narratives. Understanding the original context and ancient values is key. But these accounts remain difficult for modern readers. How should people of faith respond to such stories today? This video presentation draws on biblical scholarship and theological insights to grapple with this important question.