The Bible records a fascinating story in1 Kings 17, as to of how God’s prophet, Elijah, was sustained by God’s provisions and fed bread and meat, two times a day. He probably drank from the brook in the place where God’s had asked him to stay. What is really interesting is that those who brought him, his food were ravens!

The first time, the Bible records about ravens is in the time of Noah, where Noah sends a raven out to see if there was dry land after 40 days and nights of rain. This time the earth was filled with water and the raven was sent on a mission (first missionary after the rains). The Bible also records ravens as the delivery beings of God’s life giving bread and meat to his servant Elijah. This time there was drought (not a drop of water), except the one in the brook where God had asked his servant to be and the raven was sent on a mission. Hmmm, interesting, isn’t it? Furthermore, when God answers job with a question, he uses the raven as an example, when he says “Who gives the ravens and their young that cry, their food?” (Job 38:41). The Bible also lists the raven as a bird that will be used for executing God’s judgments, against those who break his fifth commandment. The fifth of the ten commandments (and the only commandment of the ten with a promise) is that you shall honor your father and mother, for it shall bring you long life. Proverbs 30:17 lists the ravens to be the bird that will pluck the eyes of the one who mocks his father or despises to obey his mother.

So what can we learn from the ravens?

  1. Can we be trusted as the ravens were by God, during Elijah’s times, to be delivery boys and girls, men and women, to deliver God’s good news of his son, Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life and Living Water to those who are hungry and thirsty?
  2. Let us not forget that the God who cares for the ravens (Job 38:41) cares even more for us and will provide us and our children our needs. Remember, Jesus said Look at the birds (ravens) of the air …
  3. Let us not be blinded by what our culture and society tells us about honoring our parents and remember that we are commanded in the Holy Scriptures to honor our parents (father and mother).

1 Kings 17:1-6 (KJV)
1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
2 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.