The song tells the humorous story of a preacher who goes hunting on a Sunday morning and encounters a large bear. The preacher climbs a tree to escape the bear's attack and begins praying for deliverance, referencing biblical stories. The limb breaks, causing the preacher to fall and engage in a wild fight with the bear. Eventually, the preacher defeats the bear and vows to stop hunting on Sundays and devote himself to prayer.

Meaning of "The Preacher And The Bear" by Jerry Reed

"The Preacher And The Bear" is a lighthearted tale with a moral message about the importance of faith and repentance. The preacher's decision to go against his religious beliefs and hunt on a Sunday leads him into a dangerous situation with the bear. He quickly turns to prayer, invoking the stories of Daniel, Jonah, and the Hebrew children, hoping for divine intervention. This reflects the preacher's belief in the power of God to save him from this predicament. As the fight with the bear ensues, the preacher's resolve to change his ways becomes stronger. He promises to no longer hunt on Sundays and devotes himself to prayer. The suspension of disbelief is essential in this song, allowing the listeners to enjoy the humor while grasping the underlying message of redemption and transformation.