The miracle of the ravens is found in 1 Kings 17:1-7: “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. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 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. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.” It tells of the Prophet Elijah during a time of tribulation in the land of Israel. As a result of the drought, there was a famine in the land, and people were struggling to find food and water. In the midst of this crisis, God instructed Elijah to go to the Brook Cherith, located in the Jordan Valley, east of the Jordan River. Here, he would be provided with water from the brook and food brought to him by ravens.
Miracle of the Ravens
That ravens brought food to Elijah in this way is significant because ravens were considered unclean animals in Jewish culture. This would have made the miracle even more striking to those who witnessed it. Also of note is that the ravens brought bread and meat, rather than something less substantial like berries or insects.
The story of the ravens is part of a larger narrative about God’s provision for His people, and throughout the Old Testament, we see numerous examples of God providing in miraculous ways.
The miracle of the ravens is also foreshadows the ministry of Jesus. In Luke 12:24, Jesus says, “Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!” This statement is a direct reference to the miracle of the ravens and serves as a reminder of God’s provision and care for His people.
The story of the ravens also serves as a model for believers today. Like Elijah, we are called to trust in God’s provision and to obey His commands, even when they may seem unlikely or difficult. This is because God’s commands align with His will, which is trust and just.
The miracle of the ravens is a relatable example for us. It’s a reminder that God is able to use even the most unlikely means to provide for His children and that He is faithful to His promises. May we be like Elijah, who trusted in God’s provision and was sustained by His miraculous power, amen.
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