Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
She Bears and Stones: What Does it Say About God?

She Bears and Stones: What Does it Say About God?

What are your views on God sending a she-bear to maul children after they made “fun” of one of God’s prophets for being bald.  That has really, really bothered me and seems very harsh

and has really hurt my trust in God’s character.  I mean, what child hasn’t teased someone one time or another???  That does not mean they deserve death.  I have an 8 yr old daughter, so the thought of God having her killed over something so trivial makes me angry and I feel it’s highly unjust.

The 2nd:  In the OT, God orders a man to be stoned to death for gathering firewood on the Sabbath.  That one has really, really damaged my faith severely.  What if the man was just gathering wood to build a fire to keep he and his family warm or to cook food?  Does that mean I may be destroyed on the day of Judgement because I make my bed, cook meals for my family and load the dishwasher on the Sabbath???  I really don’t see how these tasks are any different than gathering wood.  It’s not as though he was out gathering wood just for “kicks”. Wood serves 2 purposes–keeping warm, or cooking food. I understand there are consequences in sinning, and most definitely believe there should be!  BUT….shouldn’t the punishment fit the crime? He could’ve punished them with having their homes destroyed or a loss of all their belongings, etc…(just examples).

I’m hoping you can shed a different light on the two incidents.  I would LOVE to truly LOVE God again and feel as though He is worthy of worship. Thank you in advance for your reply!  I really appreciate your time and value your opinion.


When reading the Old Testament (OT) we must always read it through the landscape of the Great Controversy over the character of God with Jesus as our focal lens. He was God in human form and was the God who acted in the OT. So, several questions must be answered – Who do you understand Jesus to be? Is He fully God? Did the fullness of the Godhead dwell in Him? Is it true the Father was in the Son? Is it true that when we see Jesus we see the Father? Is it true that Jesus exactly revealed the character and nature of God?

If the answers to all of these questions are yes, and we read an OT story and think it presents God in some other light than Jesus revealed, then we know we are in some way misunderstanding the story.

We also must ask, through what framework do we see these stories? How do we understand God’s creation and His law? In other words, how do we understand the basic principles God designed the universe to run upon?

Do we understand God as a dictator who creates beings and then enacts laws to govern His creatures and as the governing authority, in order to maintain justice, is then required to “police” His universe, detain violators, hold judicial proceedings, and eventual mete out arbitrarily imposed penalties?

Or do we see God as the “Creator,” the One who actually built the universe, the One who constructed everything, and therefore, built the design template upon which all things operate? Since God says He IS love, wouldn’t He create His universe to operate in harmony with His own nature and character, especially since all life originates in God and all life is sustained by God? If this is so, then is God’s law enacted rules or the principles upon which the universe is constructed to operate – laws of gravity, thermodynamics, and ultimately the law of love, giving, and beneficence?

When we understand the universe as God constructed it and His law as an expression of His own nature of love, then we understand several important elements. First life is only possible when it is in harmony with the design protocols upon which it was constructed by God to exist. In this case, perfect harmony with God’s character of love. Second, sin is “lawlessness” or stepping outside of the very protocols life was built to operate upon. Therefore, “the wages of sin is death” or “sin when full grown brings forth death.” Why? For the same reason death ensues when someone violates the “law” of respiration and ties a plastic bag over their head. Life only exists in harmony with the principles upon which it was constructed to operate. We were designed to breathe, if we break this law we die. The same is true in the Spiritual realm. God created us to operate in perfect harmony with His character of love. Deviations, without remedy, unavoidably result in death.

With all of this in mind we can proceed to understand your questions.

What is the condition of all mankind since Adam sinned? Our natural state is terminal – we are all dying of a terminal condition and, unless remedied, all will cease to exist. God, however, has a plan to remedy our condition and that plan required Jesus to come. Satan did not want Jesus to come and thus began working to close the avenue through which He could be incarnate. In other words, Satan worked to get every human to permanently close their hearts to God so no one would cooperate with God and the Messiah could not be born. At one point in human history there were only 8 people still willing to work with God – Satan came close. God acted in OT times to keep open the channel for the Messiah lest all humanity be lost.

When we understand the reality of God’s universe we see that sin damages and destroys, resulting in death, and God as the great architect and source of life has been working, like a doctor, to heal and restore His creation. All God’s actions in Scripture are evidence of His intervention to prevent sin from destroying His creation. It is not God acting as an arbitrary judge to inflict penalties for disobedience. This idea comes from seeing God and heaven through the lens of earthly governments. But no earthly government represents the government of God, that is why in scripture earthly governments are always represented by ferocious beasts, where as Jesus is the lamb – stark contrast.

Consider a doctor trying to save a patient who has a gangrene foot – the doctor may cut off the foot to save the man, and the uneducated may go forth and describe the doctor as a mutilator or butcher, but we know the doctor is working to save. When we persist in sin long enough we can destroy within our minds the very faculties which respond to love and truth. If and when that happens there is nothing more God can do for us because no amount of love or truth will have any impact upon us. Such individuals would be like gangrene cells on the body, only infecting and bringing death to other healthy cells. And just like a good doctor will sometimes surgically remove dead tissue, God sometimes has removed people who were beyond any help and only injuring and hurting others and obstructing His healing plan.

We must also remember that, even when God took such action He only put people to sleep in the graves, those very same individuals will be resurrected in one of two resurrections. Thus, God’s actions did not terminate their existence, but only interrupted their existence, and that only for the purpose of healing His creation.

The case of the she-bears is a situation in which God’s people had become so hardened in mind and heart that they would not listen to His prophet and thus an entire nation was in danger of being eternally lost. These youth were making fun of Elisha saying “go up baldy.” This “go up” was a reference to Elijah’s chariot ride into heaven. They were basically saying Elisha was a fool and made the entire thing up and no one should listen to him. After the she-bear incident Elisha was listened to and taken seriously.

Imagine your entire church was dying of anthrax poisoning and the doctor, who had the antibiotics to save everyone, was being represented as a con man, a snake oil salesman, so no one would take the remedy and the entire church might now die. Suddenly, those who were making such allegations were miraculously dealt with. What would happen? Might the rest of the church be willing to take the remedy and be saved?  But if there were no miraculous intervention, everyone would continue to believe the lies and they would die from anthrax.

We must also remember God was not punishing sin. According to Scripture what is the punishment for sin? There is only one punishment for sin and that is eternal non existence – why? Because unremedied sin severs one from God, who is the source of life, and keeps one outside the design God created life to operate upon. God does not have to “inflict” this punishment, it is unavoidable if one is not restored into unity with God.

In order to understand why someone was stoned for picking up sticks on Sabbath one has to understand the mindset of the people at the time and the best way to demonstrate that is to tell a true story that happened in 2006 and reported on National Public Radio by John Hendren.

John Hendren wanted to find out why so many Iraqi civilians were dying in the war zone, was it war related or due to other factors. What he discovered was astonishing. He reported on a grocer and his three employees who were shot and killed and the store firebombed because they did not display their vegetables in the way the local cleric had ordered. The local cleric had ordered that celery stalks should not be displayed next to tomatoes as one might get a loosely connected sexual connotation. Anyway, the grocer did display his vegetables this way and so the four people were killed and the store firebombed.

Now, if you were the magistrate of Bagdad, in your judgment, which is a more serious crime, standing up celery next to tomatoes or driving drunk? And in your judgment would you give the death penalty for drunk driving? Of course not! But what if you were governing a people who believed that standing up celery stalks next to tomatoes was a crime punishable by death, what penalty would you have to give drunk driving in order for them to realize it is at least that serious? If you gave drunk driving a $500 fine but they believed the celery/tomato combo is a death penalty, how seriously would they take drunk driving?

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ’But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:38-45).

The reason God meets people where they are and speaks on their level and gives rules they can comprehend, even when it isn’t His ideal, is because what God wants cannot be forced. God wants genuine love in our hearts and this can only be achieved via truth presented in love and leaving people free to choose. As Paul says, “each person must be fully persuaded in their own minds” (Rom 14:5).

When one has been in a dark cave for days they cannot come out into the bright sunlight, that much light is not only painful but blinding. Likewise, when people have been habituated in spiritual darkness, God cannot take them directly to the brightness of His ideal, it is painful and blinding. So He meets them in their darkness and slowly leads them to the light!

So what do we see in the OT? I see a patient, gracious, loving God, dealing with sick humans whose hearts and minds were darkened by sin, meeting them where they were, and doing all in His power to heal and to save. How do you see it?

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 48

I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

Jason H.