“Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”
I Kings 17:3-4 NKJV
““Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.””
I Kings 17:9 NKJV
Goodness I love the story of Elijah! He gives this powerful prophecy that angered the King then G-d sent him into hiding for 3 years because Jezebel wanted to kill him.
First Elijah was fed by ravens. According to commentaries, ravens weren’t the cleanest of birds. They didn’t even feed their own young yet day after day, night after night, they brought Elijah pieces of meat to eat. Elijah didn’t question it. We don’t know how Elijah cooked the food. We don’t even know what type of food he was given – but regardless, he accepted the provision G-d sent. He didn’t even question it. He simply recognized it was the provision of the Lord and received it.
Then, when the water dried up, he then went to the home of a widow who had one serving of flour left. Elijah was so confident of G-d’s provision that he asked her to prepare a meal for him too. The Bible says he, the widow, and the son ate for many days even though there was only flour for one day and one meal. The provision was miraculous.
This season of miraculous provision was a time of radical preparation for Elijah. His faith was surely tested – would the ravens show up again today with food? The water dries up – now what? His personal faith in G-d grew first. Then, he shared his faith with others – the widow and her son – and when they saw the miraculous provision and work of G-d, they also trusted in Him (1 Kings 17:24).
This season of preparation lasted 3 years. It took 3 years of trusting, just over 1,000 of waiting, for G-d to send him out. In those 3 years, he experienced both the radical provision of G-d and the supernatural power of G-d. Elijah encountered the living G-d. He learned to hear and recognize the voice of G-d. Miraculous provision for a radical call.
We know how the story goes – G-d sends fire to burn up the sacrifice placed on wet wood and the people fall prostrate, proclaiming, “The Lord- He is G-d!” He then executed the prophets of Baal. He prophesied rain then the power of G-d came upon him and he outran Ahab’s chariot. Then, he ran for his life – afraid of Jezebel and her threats.
As a follower of Christ, my life should reflect Him and the Father. I should walk, talk, and sound like Jesus. Many days I fall short. But each of us through seasons of life – at times He’s preparing us for a specific assignment. At other times He sends us on the assignment. Some seasons find us hidden – fully relying on Him for spiritual and physical provision. Other seasons find us doing the work or being the one to provide for another.
I find myself in a season of miraculous provision. That’s the part of Elijah’s story I identify with today. I believe He’s preparing me for something else. I am “drinking from the brook while ravens feed me.” It’s humbling.
In the past, I’ve thumbed my nose at His provision. I thought I could do it on my own. “I Self” as my niece used to say. What He’s waiting for me to do is to receive and to trust. This season is humbling- yet beautiful. It’s hard to just sit when I’d rather be pacing by the brook or looking for the way out. In this season, I believe He wants me to learn to rest in and trust His miraculous provision so when He releases me to the next thing, I can walk in His strength and not my own. It’s what I’m learning here at His feet. More of Him, less of me.
If G-d could use a raven to feed Elijah and stretch one serving of flour to feed 3 for many days, surely He can and will provide miraculously for us. Allow Him to feed and teach you so you will have the strength and faith for what is to come.
Father- thank You for Your provision. Teach me in this season. Prepare me for what is to come. Give me ears to hear and a heart to receive. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: 1 Kings 17-19
June 27, 2022