Luke 12:22-24 - God's Roadkill Diner

 

Another title for this might be, "No Barns at All."

God asked Job,
"41 Who provides food for the ravens when their young cry out to God and wander about in hunger?" (Job 38:41, New Living Translation, 2015)

Jesus expanded on the answer to this question:
22 ...“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!" (Luke 12:22–24, NLT)

Ironically, Israelites were prohibited from eating "dirty birds," including ones that might feed on carcasses. He told them:
13 “These are the birds that are detestable to you. You must never eat them: the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, 14 the kite, falcons of all kinds, 15 ravens of all kinds..."  (Leviticus 11:13–15, NLT)

Ravens are rare in the rural Midwest, but their cousin the crow is plentiful enough. While crows might eat crops like corn, they also feed on "...baby birds and eggs from nests ...mice and rats, carrion...vegetables and garbage." No wonder the easiest place to spot a crow is pecking apart roadkill. https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvidae

Even ancient Israelites may have seen crows eating roadkill. After all, Solomon imported wheeled chariots from Egypt! (1 Kings 10:28-29) I think that in the new heaven and new earth, crows will clean up their act and stick to nuts and berries. (Isaiah 11:9) In the meantime, it amazes me that God feeds crows right now, even as "dirty birds" with less-than-desirable eating habits.

Father, Why do I worry about having enough money for basic necessities in the future? You don't just watch over cute little animals and charming song birds, you take care of crows! Here I am, more like a crow: not exactly cute or charming, and occasionally eating junk food. Forgive my lack of trust since You'll certainly take care of me. And for giving me daily bread, I thank You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

PS - Crows and raven are intelligent, but God chose ravens to carry bread and meat--in their "dirty" beaks to feed the prophet Elijah during a famine! (1 Kings 17:1-6) Q: Where did the meat come from?

The photo is from 3770 Vine Avenue, Hartley, Iowa. The crow took off to watch me from the tree when I pulled off to the side of the road.