Raisins, dried grapes, are mentioned in the Bible as a source of sustenance and revival. In the ancient Near East, raisins were a common food item due to their long shelf life and nutritional value. They are referenced in various contexts within the Scriptures, often symbolizing provision and sustenance.

One notable instance involving raisins is found in the account of David's pursuit of the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 30. After the Amalekites raided Ziklag, capturing women and children, David and his men set out to recover their families and possessions. During their pursuit, they encountered an Egyptian servant who had been abandoned by his Amalekite master because he had fallen ill.

The narrative in 1 Samuel 30:11-12 describes the encounter: "Then they found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David. They gave him water to drink and food to eat— a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. He ate and was revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights."

This passage highlights the life-sustaining properties of raisins. The Egyptian, weakened by hunger and thirst, was revived after consuming the raisins and figs. This act of kindness by David and his men not only restored the Egyptian's strength but also led to valuable intelligence that enabled David to locate and defeat the Amalekites, rescuing the captives.

Raisins, in this context, serve as a symbol of God's provision and care. The use of simple, readily available food to restore life emphasizes the importance of compassion and hospitality. The act of giving food to the starving Egyptian reflects the biblical principle of caring for the stranger and the needy, as seen in Leviticus 19:34 : "You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love them as yourself."

Throughout the Bible, food is often used as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment and divine provision. In the case of the Egyptian servant, the physical revival through raisins and figs can be seen as a reflection of God's sustaining grace, which is available to all who are in need. This account serves as a reminder of the importance of mercy and the power of simple acts of kindness in fulfilling God's purposes.1 Samuel 30:12
And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.
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