BY: MARK DAVIS & ELISABETH C. TUNSTALL
The Brawling Bears
The Mother Bear Spirit
By: Elisabeth C. Tunstall
INTRODUCTION
What makes the spirit of the bear unique is that it points to the female side of God, that of Wisdom. It also points specifically to God’s judgement. But how is the the bear like Wisdom? We first need to look at how female bears operate with their cubs.
MOTHER BEARS
First, bears are said to be very smart. Research reveals they count, use tools, solve problems and are emotionally complex. Mother bears, in particular, are very nurturing, loving and protective of their babies. When cubs are born, they are totally dependent on their mother.
MOTHER BEARS
Bear cubs are born blind, they have little fur, weigh less than a pound and can barely crawl. The mother bear hovers over the cubs and breathes on them to keep them warm. Her furry arms and legs cradle the babies, also keeping them warm and protecting them from outside elements. For 6 to 8 months, milk is the cubs only food.
BEAR MILK
Bear milk is said to be highly rich in nutrients and fat in comparison to human milk. For example, polar bear milk is 40% fat and black and brown bear milk is 20 to 25% fat while human milk is only 3 to 4% fat. Cub bears are able to grow healthy and fat on their mother’s milk until they are weaned.
MOTHER BEARS
When on the go, a mother will sometimes carry a cub in her mouth to a new location or sometimes the cubs will climb on their mother’s back. If they feel their cubs are being threatened mother bears become very aggressive and will fight to death to keep their young safe.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
What does the Bible say about bears?
What I have noticed is there are multiple scriptures that refer to bears in the female person, two of which I would like to highlight. 2 Kings 2: 23-24, “And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.”
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
This scripture was referring to Elisha the prophet. As you can see, these were 2 female bears that destroyed 42 children. This is testament to the justice that will be rendered to the wicked for persecuting God’s children on a larger scale. This is also an example of that mother bear spirit that Wisdom possesses to protect her children. Just as she is a part of God’s creation, she is also a part of his judgement as with the entire throne of God.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
Another scripture is in Hosea 13. In verses 1-9 it states, “Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me. I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.”
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
God is angry at the people of Israel for their sins and is rendering judgement upon them.
To reiterate, the judgement of God is a part of the spirit of the bear. Now lets take a closer look at verse 8. Note the bear is bereaved of her whelps. Here, God is portrayed as an angry, attacking mother bear that has been robbed of her cubs. Satan lured Israel into sin, robbing God of his children. But like the mother bear, God will not stop at nothing to get the people of Israel back.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
How does God get his children to return to him? By rending the caul of their hearts. The caul is the pericardium or fleshy sac that encases the heart. To rend means to tear apart. To tear the outer layers of the heart is the same as spiritual circumcision. The bear using her teeth and sharp claws to tear the caul of the heart is liken to the word which is sharp as a two edge sword, (Hebrews 4: 12).
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
In other words, God uses his word and truth to circumcise the hearts of his people so that they repent and return to him. Note that even though he is angry and punishing Israel there is still mercy with judgement because he says “but in me is thine help.”
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
Now where does Wisdom come in and how does she help to circumcise your heart? Keep in mind that circumcision of the heart is not pleasant initially. It causes you pain and regret for your sins, it humbles you and causes you to fear God. Wisdom is the one that teaches you to fear the Lord’s judgement, compelling you to obey him. In Psalms 111: 10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Let’s move on.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
The milk that the bears feed their cubs represents the fundamental word, which is his laws. Remember, when cubs are born they are blind and can barely crawl. When we are born, we are born in sin.
Figuratively speaking, we are blind to the truth at first. It has to be taught to us. Mother Wisdom brings us to Christ and the teaching of his commandments and testimonies, our spiritual milk. This gives us the essential tools that we need to grow and mature spiritually.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
As a bear is highly intelligent, Mother Wisdom is privy to all the mysteries of God, (W.O.S. 8: 4). She makes us wise in the truth. She is also responsible for giving man the ability to make witty inventions and technological advancements, (Proverbs 8: 12). A mother bear keeps her cubs close and teaches them how to behave and thrive in their environment. Wisdom teaches all of creation how to function as they should on a day to day basis.
IN CONCLUSION
In closing, the spirit of the bear is a lethal and dangerous force to all those that disobey God for judgement will destroy the wicked. But for those that obey, we are embraced by the loving spirit of the bear, which is our mother Wisdom. And if we remain faithful, she will continue to nurture us so that we will grow and be ready for salvation. May God be with you all. Amen.
