| THE BEAR 2 Kings 2:23-25 |
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| The bear in the Word of God is always as here associated with judgement. There are several examples such as Hosea 13:1-8, Amos 5:18-20, 2 Sam. 17:8 (of David and his men as they fled from Absalom), and Lam. 3:1-10. As a type of judgement we learn from the bear the nature of the judgement of Almighty God. I. It Is Powerful Pound for pound there is hardly a more powerful creature on earth than the bear. Some weigh over 1,000 pounds and are capable of prodigious feats of strength and endurance. Note Ps. 50:16-22, 2 Thess. 1:7-9 and Rev. 20:11-15. II. It Is Purposeful The bear is not a vindictive creature by nature. He does not kill unless there is a reason. Either the bear is in search of food (and he is a meat eater) or the female is protecting her young or herself (Prov. 17:12). So it is with God. Judgement is never arbitrary. Many as spoiled children accuse God of injustice in exercising judgement against sin. Quite the contrary is true; God would be unjust to let sin go unpunished. See Ps. 7:8-16. Whether the judgement be that of an individual, or a family, or a nation, the judgement of Go dis always just. III. It Is Ponderous. Prov. 28:15 refers to a "ranging bear." The bear will range far and wide in search of food. So also the judgement of God is not confined. See Rom. 5:18 and Dan. 7:5. The bear has an insatiable appetite and devours completely. By sheer size and weight it becomes an insurmountable enemy. So is the judgement of God when unleashed. Who shall be able to stand before Him? The bears presence is not always evident as when out of view in a state of hibernation, yet the day of his appearing does come though it seem far away. See Heb. 9:27. There is a difference between the chastening of the shepherd and the judgement of teh bear. See 1 Sam. 17. The shepherd protects the sheep from the bear. Hence no judgement is the portion of sheep. (Rom. 8:1) We may also be greatful for the fact that there is coming a time when judgement will not be necessary and the bear will be tame. (Isa. 11:7) |
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