Weird Bible Stories Part 5: Elisha and the Bears

When somebody claims to speak for God, it makes our ears prick up. Sometimes it's because we think they really have something to say, and sometimes it's becasue we have heard too many charlatans, fakers, and religious snake-oil salesmen, and we are upset when someone panders and tricks people by saying they have "a word from the Lord." The prophets of Israel had the same challenge--too many court prophets just recited back the official party line of the king and told people what they wanted to hear.  And when a real prophet arose with a minority report, who could speak truth to power, people didn't want to listen.  So how would a real voice from God stand out from the pretenders and court prophets?  Elisha was one of those voices raised up to speak up and speak out when the powerful were not practicing justice and mercy.  But even Elisha seemed to cross the line defending his own authority when he unleashes an attack of wild bears on some teenagers who made fun of him in this strange story from 2 Kings in our ongoing series of "Weird Bible Stories." So... what do we do with stories from the Bible in which someone invokes the name of God to do violence?  What do we do when they are voices of authority that we have respected?  And what does GOD do with US when WE are the ones praying angrily and vengetfully against OUR enemies?  Join the conversation and listen in...