Topical Bible: Blessing: Temporal, from God: Fed by Ravens

◄ Blessing: Temporal, from God: Fed by Ravens ►

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In the biblical narrative, the concept of temporal blessings from God is vividly illustrated in the account of the prophet Elijah being fed by ravens. This event is recorded in 1 Kings 17:1-6, where God provides for Elijah during a time of drought and famine, demonstrating His sovereign care and provision for His faithful servant.

Context and Background

The account unfolds during the reign of King Ahab in Israel, a period marked by rampant idolatry and apostasy. Elijah, a prophet of the Lord, boldly confronts Ahab, declaring that there will be neither dew nor rain in the land except at his word, as a judgment from God for the nation's sins (1 Kings 17:1). Following this pronouncement, God instructs Elijah to hide by the Brook Cherith, east of the Jordan, where He promises to sustain him.

Divine Provision

In 1 Kings 17:4-6 , the Lord commands Elijah: "You are to drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there." The passage continues, "So Elijah did what the LORD had told him, and he went and lived by the Brook Cherith, east of the Jordan. The ravens would bring him bread and meat in the morning and evening, and he would drink from the brook."

This miraculous provision underscores several key themes:

1. God's Sovereignty and Control Over Creation: The use of ravens, unclean birds according to Levitical law (Leviticus 11:15), highlights God's authority over all creation. He can employ any means, even those considered unlikely or unconventional, to fulfill His purposes and care for His people.

2. Faith and Obedience: Elijah's compliance with God's directive to go to the Brook Cherith demonstrates his faith and obedience. Despite the dire circumstances, Elijah trusts in God's promise to provide, setting an example of reliance on divine provision.

3. Temporal Blessings as a Sign of God's Faithfulness: The daily sustenance provided by the ravens serves as a tangible sign of God's faithfulness and His ability to meet the needs of His servants. This temporal blessing reassures believers of God's ongoing care and provision in their own lives, even in times of scarcity or trial.

4. Preparation for Future Ministry: This period of isolation and divine provision prepares Elijah for the significant challenges ahead, including his confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). It is a time of spiritual strengthening and reliance on God, equipping him for the tasks to come.

Theological Implications

The account of Elijah being fed by ravens invites reflection on the nature of God's blessings. It challenges believers to recognize and trust in God's provision, even when it comes through unexpected or unconventional means. It also serves as a reminder of God's intimate involvement in the lives of His people, providing for their needs and preparing them for future service in His kingdom.

In summary, the account of Elijah being fed by ravens is a powerful testament to God's ability to provide temporal blessings in times of need, reinforcing the truth that He is both willing and able to care for those who faithfully serve Him.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 17:2-7
And the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Elijah the Tishbite
... trusting to the power of Baal for temporal blessings ... and can make of them instruments
of blessing or of ... governor of Ahab's house, yet faithful to God, "took an ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 9 elijah the tishbite.htm

Lives of Faith and Trust
... "Perhaps one of the most striking cases of blessing recorded is ... affirmed that we
have no warrant to pray for temporal blessings, but, blessed be God, he has ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/lives of faith and trust.htm

Prayer Answered, Love Nourished
... If the Lord had given you his blessing one day ... day a living witness of the power
of God to answer man's prayer for spiritual and for temporal things too ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/prayer answered love nourished.htm

The Fifth Season,
... these considerations may, through the blessing of the ... to set spiritual riches over
against temporal poverty. ... the fatness thereof, his name is God All-sufficient ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/v the fifth season.htm

On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield
... the same free grace, be partakers of the same blessing. ... by all his words, to strengthen
their hands in God. ... power, in all things, spiritual and temporal; he is ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 53 on the death.htm

Darkness Before the Dawn
... crying to God for deliverance out of your temporal trouble. ... telling of it might bring
the same blessing to some ... though he is but a menial in God's kitchen, who ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/darkness before the dawn.htm

Answers to Prayer
... was in direct answer to prayer for that special blessing.". ... upon God for right direction
in my temporal as well ... IN THE LIFE OF AN INVALID."HOW GOD CARES AND ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/answers to prayer.htm

Another Wonderful Record of 25.
... THE NECESSITY OF ASKING GOD'S BLESSING EVERY DAY, UPON ... to pray thus unconditionally
respecting temporal concerns? ... his Heavenly Father, saying that God who sent ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/another wonderful record of 25 00.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... not be afraid of sinning, nor of those temporal judgments that ... is yet far enough
off from the blessing of the ... being the obedience of the Son of God without us ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

part i
... you wish to ask of God in prayer any blessing for yourself ... in the bread and
wine"the Son of God does not ... as He multiplied the five loaves and fed with these ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm