“Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: ^‘Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.’” (1 Kings 17:2-4)

Many of the Old Testament books are narrative history, meaning that they tell of a particular time in actual history. When we read these narratives prayerfully, we can learn so much about God and how He works. I am currently in a Bible study of 1 Kings which covers the reign of the evil King Ahab of Israel. Elijah and Elisha are prophets during this time.

Back story: after King Solomon’s death, Israel was divided into the northern (Israel) and southern (Judah) kingdoms, and the kingdom of Israel strayed further and further into sin. All the kings of this subsequent nation of Israel were evil, and “Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him” (1 Kings 16:30). You can find out more about his sins in 1 Kings 16, but I will mention that the fuel for his worst sins was that he worshipped Baal. He had married Jezebel, a princess of Sidon (an enemy nation), who brought with her the worship of Baal.

As a result of the sins of Israel, God sent a famine. This was not an arbitrary act by God; it was, in fact, the fulfillment of a prophecy more than five hundred years before: “Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut up the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the Lord is giving you.” (Deuteronomy 11:16-17).

That could have been the end of the story. But we know that God, who does make and keep promises, also promised that he would redeem his people from sin. “Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord’” (Ezekiel 12:28).

So, even as God was fulfilling his promise to punish Israel with a famine because of their sin, he was also pursuing them to return to him. God called Elijah to be his voice to Ahab; but first, he had to prepare Elijah. God told him to go to the Kerith Ravine to hide where he could drink from the brook and be fed by a raven.

First, remember they are in the middle of a severe famine, so the birds and animals were hungry, too. There was water in the brook, but no food. Everyone, including the animals were starving. Yet this raven was going to forgo its own hunger to bring food to Elijah, twice a day!

Second, ravens were dirty birds. They were considered unclean because they were scavengers–think crows and buzzards eating roadkill. Now Elijah was not going to be eating a raven, but a raven would be bringing him food. “The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.” (1 Kings 17:6). Elijah was learning total dependence on God who could make anything happen.

Then the brook dried up, and God sent Elijah to Sidon (remember that is where Jezebel, the Baal worshiper was from). God told him to find a widow there who would give him room and board. Okay, it is still a famine. And who in that day was more destitute than a widow, yet God chooses this woman–a foreign, pagan, widow–to be the means for sustaining Elijah. And while sustaining Elijah, she herself would be sustained. She followed Elijah’s instructions. “So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.” (1 Kings 17:15-16).

God truly works in mysterious ways. There is more to this beautiful story which we will cover another time. For now, let us talk about the take-aways from what we have just learned:

1. God keeps his promises. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).
2. When you are obedient to God’s call, God will sustain you. It may not be how you expected; it may not be pleasant, but he will NOT abandon you. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
3. God can and will use the most unlovely, unlikely of us to carry out his will. From the raven to the pagan widow, God will accomplish his purposes. “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” (Luke 12:34).
4. Be ready to be used. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

In Christ,

Judy