Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. And it shall be that you will drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide food for you there.” So he went and did everything according to the word of the Lord, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook. 1 Kings 17:2-6
“The living Lord is able to do the most surprising things.
Ravens were “unclean” in terms of God’s Law (Leviticus 11:15; Deuteronomy 14:14), but a raven played a role in the days of Noah (Genesis 8:6), and the Lord is the One who provides for the ravens (Psalm 147:9; Job 38:41). At the brook Cherith the Lord promised to provide sustenance for His prophet in the most unlikely way.
The proper response to the Lord’s command is obedience. That is what Elijah did… Elijah’s obedience was the obedience of faith. He obeyed the Lord’s command, believing the Lord’s promise. His faith and obedience were vindicated. The Lord did what He had promised.”
John Woodhouse in 1 Kings: Power, Politics, and the Hope of the World (Preaching the Word; Wheaton: Crossway, 2018) 469.
Since Elisha has inspired us recently, I have chosen to revert to the miracles in the ministry of Elijah for strengthening our generosity.
Today we discover that generous service of God’s servants sometimes relies on God’s provision from unclean and unlikely sources. Think about it.
The raven was unclean and the least likely friend from which the prophet would expect to find sustainance. Notice how following God requires trust and obedience.
I am spending time in my wife’s office these days in downtown Littleton. It’s pictured in the second floor of this historic corner building.
It could be viewed by many as obscure. But like the brook Cherith, God is using it as a place for me to study in solitude, to learn in silence, and to grow in obedience.
He has me here for blocks of time to hear His voice, to celebrate His supply, and while ravens are not feeding me daily, the Spirit nourishes me here.
Is it time for you to leave your comfort zone and go to an obscure place? How might God resource you from unclean and unlikely sources for higher purposes?