God Provides For Elijah

God Provides for Elijah

Q: What delivery system did God use for Elijah’s food?

• a. Manna fell from heaven.
• b. A raven brought food.
• c. The exact amount of food Elijah needed grew on fruit trees near him.

The northern kingdom, Israel, had a long line of wicked kings who served pagan gods. There were only a few good priests left from the tribe of Levi, because most of them had moved south to Judah. God was tired of the wickedness and sent Elijah to deliver a message to King Ahab. There would be no rain for several years. King Ahab told his wife, Jezebel. Since she worshiped Baal, who was supposed to be the god who sent rain and provided bountiful harvests, this was a blow to her and the other Baal worshipers. Jezebel, the queen of mean, wanted to kill Elijah when she heard his message.

God told Elijah to go and hide by the Kerith Brook near where it entered the Jordan River. God didn’t leave Elijah to fend for himself. He sent ravens twice a day with bread and meat for Elijah.

Ravens are large black birds related to crows, but much bigger. Their wingspan is about 50 inches. Ravens are considered intelligent birds, but they are mostly known for being scavengers. They eat berries, fruit, insects, and even the flesh of dead animals. Being fed by ravens was probably not what Elijah would have chosen, but it’s how God chose to supply Elijah’s needs twice every day.

God could have delivered hot meals by simply having them appear in Elijah’s hands, but sometimes God uses unusual ways to accomplish things. He has a purpose for what he does, although we don’t always know his reasons.

For You

Don’t expect God to always work the same way. God is the God of creativity. He has blessed you with the creativity to accomplish the things he asks you to do. Be willing to look for less traditional ways of solving problems or accomplishing a task.

Answer: b

The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook.   1 Kings 17:6

(The Whole Story: 1 Kings 17:1-7)