1 Kings 17:1-7 - Raven Food Service

King Ahab and his wife Jezebel worshiped all kinds of idols and false gods. "He did more to provoke the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than any of the other kings of Israel before him." (1 Kings 16:33, New Living Translation, 2015)

God went to great lengths to get Ahab's attention.

"1 Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” 2 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” 5 So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land." (1 Kings 17:1–7, NLT)

Jews could only eat "kosher" meat such as lamb and beef. But if a cow happened to die or was attacked by wild animals, it wasn't for human consumption (Lev. 11:36, 17:15, 22:8) Ravens are not picky about what they eat. Grain, nuts, berries--fine. But if more wholesome food isn't available (or maybe it is!), carrion and garbage is fine, too. So they were considered unclean animals in the Old Testament.

We aren't told where the ravens got the meat and bread for Elijah. It could be that they stopped by a kosher bakery and a kosher butcher and got some handouts. But maybe not, since Elijah was out in the wilderness. It wouldn't be the only time when God was more interested in the heart of the law than the letter of the law. (1 Chronicles 30:18-22, 1 Samuel 15:22; Isaiah 1:10-17; Matthew 12:7; Hebrews 10:8.)

It was more important to get Ahab's attention and preserve Elijah's life than to keep everything kosher.

God in heaven above,
You use imperfect, despised ravens to accomplish good. So use me.
They kept delivering food as long as necessary. Give me endurance.
Your prophet didn't balk at a less-than-ideal delivery service. Help me flex with Your strategies.
Amen.

Picture Jan van 't Hoff, Gospel Images
Downloaded for free at https://www.gospelimages.com/paintings/35/elijah-fed-by-ravens