Elisha and the Bears

MAIN IDEA: Our holy God will do whatever it takes to protect His name, His fame, His people, and His covenant promises regardless of man’s opinion’s, the state of the world, or the state of His people.

Introduction

Read the Text

Have you ever been in a situation where someone says something and you say, “Wait, I am going to need some context?” OR “OK, I need to hear more.” EXAMPLE: Weeping uncontrollably after Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. People usually want to hear more (or at least sometimes).

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock

Context is key, especially in strange places.

Read the Text

Sit in Shock

What do we do with this?

This is why reading the OT can be difficult.

We have to do the hard work to understand and be faithful to the God who has spoken to His people through His word.

Historical Context/Key Background Information (WHERE ARE WE PLACED?)

WHEN IS THIS HAPPENING? The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (I. The Divided Kingdom (9th–7th cents b.c.))

Upon Solomon’s death his kingdom split into the southern kingdom of Judah, headed by his son Rehoboam, and the northern kingdom of Israel, led by the rebel Jeroboam I. The northern kingdom, which was more open to the influence of its pagan neighbors in Phoenicia and Syria, had a history characterized by spiritual apostasy and political instability. The northern kingdom was also the first to succumb to the expansion of the powerful Assyrian empire in the 8th century.

ELISHA’S CALL: The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Elisha’s Calling and Training by Elijah)

This scene sets the stage for the remainder of Elisha’s career. His life is centered around economic success, and while engaged in the everyday task of tilling the soil, he encounters God and is immediately and irrevocably transformed (Soloveitchick, Lonely Man of Faith, 103–06). Suddenly, class and wealth are dispensable; Elisha turns his prized oxen into a barbecue for “the people” of his community and joins Elijah on the road as his aide (1 Kgs 19:21).

PERIOD OF TRAINING: The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Elisha’s Calling and Training by Elijah)

After Elisha’s recruitment, he is not mentioned until the scene where Elijah is taken up to heaven (2 Kgs 2:1–12). This gap in Elisha’s story is generally understood as a period of training.

After the removal of Elijah from His ministry and this world Elisha takes up the role of God’s Prophet. He also is looked to by his own prophetic schools as the leader although it is not formal at this point.

Elisha receives a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. This spirit and ministry, God would use to influence and minister to the Kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom. His ministry would span all classes of society and even in death God used Him to overcome illness and death in others. (his bones revived a man when they touched him).

Elisha would be God’s Prophet to continue to be the means by which the people of God would hear His voice and be called to covenant faithfulness.

Canonical Context

Before seeking to understand and apply any text we must place ourselves in the canonical or covenant context.

Adam

Humanity to Fill the Earth with God’s Glory in God’s Presence

Abraham (New Humanity to Form New People, Bless the World)

New Humanity through Abraham to Know God and Bless the World

Moses

Prophet/Priest to Liberate and Lead People Out of Slavery Into Blessed Place with God

Mt Sinai/Old Covenant

A Kingdom to Be Priests to the Nations and City on a Hill

Gather the World to Israel to Know God and Be Blessed

David/Solomon

New King to Establish a Throne through Israel to Rule the World

Davidic King to Be Avenue and Head of Blessing and Knowledge of God

Divided Kingdom (Failure of Israel)

King David and Solomon Fail

Israel Fails God, God judges Israel

Still looking for Davidic King, True Transformation of His People, and the Establishment of God’s Kingdom on Earth

Yet, God Does Not Leave Israel

Faithfulness and Love Still Present

Future Relief and Salvation

Coming Exile from the Promised Land Due to Sin

THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: PROPHET Deuteronomy 18:14-19

Before understanding a text we must make sure we understand important theological themes that may be in the background of assumed understanding for the original audience.

Prophet plays an important role after the time of Moses. God promises a future prophet and creates the office of prophet to be a critical means by which His Presence, Word, and Activity is experienced.

Two Realities: The Starting Point--God Condemns False Prophets and God Curses those that Reject/Ignore His Prophets

When judgement like our story does NOT happen it is absolute mercy and grace. It should not be shocking.

Immediate Biblical Context and Story

THE DRAMATIC FLOW OF 1 KINGS INTO 2 KINGS

1, 2 Kings V. Elisha’s Work as Prophet, Miracle Worker, and Kingmaker (2:1–13:25)

Over the past few chapters the writer of 1, 2 Kings has slowly set the stage for a new chapter in the history. Ahab has died, leaving behind a legacy of military strength, moral weakness, tolerance for Baalism and Jeroboam’s cult, and a vicious queen who has yet to pass from the scene. Elijah remains in the picture, but he has already chosen Elisha to take his place as the Lord’s spokesman (cf. 1 Kgs 19:16, 19–21). Evidently he will soon give way to his successor, who has committed himself unreservedly to his calling but has not yet proven himself as a “man of God” or “prophet in Israel.” Joram has followed Ahab’s son Ahaziah on the throne, and readers await the fulfillment of Elijah’s prediction that Ahab’s whole household will be wiped out as a result of their “father’s” sins (cf. 1 Kgs 21:21–22). Judah seems weak and silent. Syria despises their southern neighbors, which indicates more war will soon occur. Thus, the reader has now come to a pivotal point in the accounts. Old characters will be replaced; new dilemmas will arise.

This story demonstrates and reminds us that our God is the Holy One who is always at work in times of disaster and chaos. So, where are we in history?

SINFUL/DIVIDED ISRAEL LIMITED BY THEIR SIN

Moab, Assyria, and Syria Rising Against Israel/Judah

Cult and Idol Worship

Corrupt Queen and Monarchies (Ahab etc)

Internal Strife and Resistance to Israel’s Corrupt Leadership

The Prophetic Institution was Allowed to Thrive, God’s Last Light in the Nation were His Prophets

GOD IS AT WORK THROUGH PROPHETS

Elisha inherits a key role of prophetic correction, rebuke, and call to covenant faithfulness while being a political figure aligned with God’s intent for His people.

GOD IS GRACIOUS TO ISRAEL/JUDAH (PROTECTION, VICTORY, STILL SPEAKING TO THEM)

ISRAEL REMAINS UNFAITHFUL TO GOD DESPITE HIS WORK

Although God will bring judgement He is still always actively working to bring about the fulfillment of His promises.

Bullet Point 1: God is at work in times of impending danger and disobedience.

Elijah Taken Up (2:1-12)

The New International Version Chapter 2

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.

Rich literary reminders of God’s strength and sovereignty over and against other gods in the transition from Elijah to Elisha.

1, 2 Kings (1) Elijah Ascends to Heaven (2:1–12)

Besides marking him as an extraordinary prophet, Elijah’s death reminds readers of Scripture of other unusual events. For example, his going skyward in a whirlwind reads much like Job 38:1, where God answers Job out of a similar storm. Unlike this mostly positive self-revelation to Job, God’s presence in a storm means judgment in Jer 23:19; Zech 9:14; and Ps 83:15. Earlier God had spoken to Elijah after a storm of sorts was over (1 Kgs 19:11–13). Also, this scene may be one last time where Yahweh proves stronger than Baal, for once again the Lord conquers death (cf. 1 Kgs 17:7–24), and once again he rules the storms instead of the supposed storm god Baal. Thus, rich irony, not unlike that so evident in the Mount Carmel episode, prevails to the end of the Elijah accounts.

2 Kings 2:13-22 describe two events: Elisha not being believed regarding Elijah being taken up and Elisha healing the water permanently for the city.

What do we learn from that? One thing we see is that God was working through blessing and judgement. Just preceding this shocking text we see God’s faithful servant taken up to be in God’s presence and a city blessed by God through Elisha’s ministry.

Main Text Interpretation and Application

Re-read main text 2 Kings 2:23-25

2 Kings 2:23–25 NIV

From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria.

Based upon the context we know the following:

Elisha has received twice the Spirit of Elijah to continue his ministry.

Elisha is a prophet who brings the very word of God to the people.

Elisha is establishing his role and will be calling the people to covenant faithfulness and obedience despite the political, social, and religious chaos and sin.

Bullet Point 2: Elisha is God’s chosen instrument to bring His Word, Presence, and Power to His divided and sinful people.

Interpretive Points:

Boys - Does not mean children but likely teenage boys and young men. A range from 12-30. Usually marriageable age.

Jeering — Mocking God’s servant. To deride of insult. It is used in Jeremiah 20: 8 to refer to insult and reproach.

Baldy - Hair could have been seen as a sign of strength and being bald may have been to tear down his ministry in comparison to Elijah’s (who was hairy). Either way it was an insult.

Curse - Elisha calls down a curse. The use of curse helps us here because it draws us back to the Law where in Deuteronomy we see that the office and role of Prophet was to be a protected and sacred role.

The New International Version Chapter 18

The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so. 15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.”

17 The LORD said to me: “What they say is good. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”

21 You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?” 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.

Like the priest we see an office and role filled in the people of God that points us forward to a future prophet who would be the final word and the dividing line between those who are God’s and blessed by Him and those who are cursed by Him.

Bullet Point 3: God’s protective work is always meant to call us back to covenantal fidelity and loyalty.

God through his actions refers back to and is faithful to His character and covenant.

The judgement of God reminds the people of Israel that He will follow through on His law and covenantal requirements.

Elisha’s role is a protected role and one that is intended to call the people back to covenantal loyalty and fidelity.

APPLICATION: In the midst of chaos we can always begin with a simple look back at what God expects of us. In Christ we are charged to be faithful in obedience to the New Covenant in Christ. Founded on faith we trust Jesus for our salvation, pursue righteousness, repent of our sins, and rest in the work of Jesus on our behalf.

Bullet Point 4: In times of chaos and distress Elisha points forward to the true Prophet who God uses to finally preserve and protect His people.

Elisha was God’s chosen servant and to protect the people God cursed those that would mock Him. You do not mock God’s anointed without judgement. But this judgement was protective and gracious.

Elisha and Israel proved that the prophet promised by Moses was still to come. How do we know this? The prophets were limited in their power and the people constantly fell into sin and under God’s discipline.

Jesus is the promised Prophet who is the Word of God in the flesh making a new people, with a new status, and a new future.

More than that, Jesus fulfills all three major offices of the Old Covenant: Prophet, Priest, and King. We need all three to have true transformation.

But how did God protect His people? By not protecting His Final Prophet, Jesus, in fact allowing not just jeering but even death. Jesus is that great intersection—if you cling to Him in faith you experience blessing and transformation but if you reject/mock Him you will be cursed by God. Through death God would preserve and protect His people and usher in the New Covenant of promise.

Application/Charge:

In times of chaos, distress, sin, division, and uncertainty we can trust that God will do whatever it takes to protect His fame, name, His people, and promises.

We can look to all of God’s work, but primarily His work in Jesus, to be confident in the character of God who will work all things out for His glory and our good.

Believer, we still sin. We struggle. The transformation is not done yet. But, God looks at us as beloved Children who have a faithful covenant keeper and are creating faithful covenant keeping in us. Run back to Him as our good Father when you fail and struggle. Jesus was cursed for us! Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” r 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Gal 3:13-14)

Unbeliever—God is not mocked. He is gracious to you even today as you listen to this but there is a time where the dividing line will be permanent. Whether you meet him at death or He comes back. His anointed one will not be mocked. Take heed of this gracious and loving warning to come to Jesus the faithful one in faith, trusting in His work on your behalf.