Topical Bible: The Raven: God Provides Food For

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The raven, a bird often associated with desolation and uncleanliness in the Bible, serves as a remarkable example of God's provision and care for all His creation. Despite its reputation, the raven is used in Scripture to demonstrate God's sovereignty and His ability to provide sustenance even for the most unlikely of creatures.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 8:6-7 · The first mention of the raven in the Bible occurs in the account of Noah's Ark. After the floodwaters began to recede, Noah sent out a raven to see if the waters had abated from the earth. "After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark and sent out a raven. It kept flying back and forth until the waters had dried up from the earth" . The raven's role here is functional, serving as a scout to assess the condition of the earth post-flood.

2. 1 Kings 17:2-6 · The most notable instance of God using ravens to provide food is found in the account of the prophet Elijah. During a time of drought and famine, God commanded Elijah to hide by the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. "And the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 'Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You are to drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.' So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook" . This passage highlights God's miraculous provision through the ravens, emphasizing His control over nature and His care for His prophets.

3. Job 38:41 · In God's discourse with Job, He questions Job about the natural world, including His provision for the raven. "Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food?" . This rhetorical question underscores God's intimate involvement in the sustenance of all creatures, even those considered unclean or insignificant.

4. Psalm 147:9 · The psalmist echoes the theme of God's provision, stating, "He provides food for the animals and for the young ravens when they call" . This verse reinforces the idea that God's care extends to all living beings, regardless of their status or perceived value.

5. Luke 12:24 · In the New Testament, Jesus uses the raven to teach about God's provision and the futility of worry. "Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!" . Here, the raven serves as a symbol of God's provision, reminding believers of their worth and the assurance of God's care.

Symbolism and Lessons:

The raven, despite its association with uncleanliness, becomes a powerful symbol of God's provision and care. Through the accounts of Elijah and the teachings of Jesus, the raven illustrates that God's providence is not limited by human perceptions of worthiness. The raven's role in Scripture serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to use all things for His purposes. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's provision, knowing that if He cares for the ravens, He will surely care for them.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 38:41
Who provides for the raven his food? when his young ones cry to God, they wander for lack of meat.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 147:9
He gives to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them: how much more are you better than the fowls?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Providence of God
... bear her charges thither; but see how God provides for her ... of the king, was not without
God's special providence ... Providence feeds the young raven, when the dam ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/14 the providence of god.htm

Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence
... a poor woman who was very hard pressed for food, but she ... God can make a mouse do
it or a raven do it ... is the place of refuge for Elijah, and God provides for him ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/godly fear and its goodly.htm

No Difference
... cannot be"blessed be God!"that the raven Sin shall ... not that they may be slain, but
'God hath included ... The Gospel feast that Christ provides is not a social ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/no difference.htm

Marvellous Increase of the Church
... Pleased with all the Lord provides,. ... It takes the raven and turns him into a dove;
his ravenish heart becomes a dove's heart. ... O church of God! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/marvellous increase of the church.htm

Another Wonderful Record of 25.
... thanksgiving first, and then said, 'O, Mrs. A"", you are indeed God's raven, sent
by ... I have always thanked God for that, and am sure he provides for me ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/another wonderful record of 25 00.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... whom the Lord has mercy,"whom He provides with precious ... servest thine enemy whom
the Lord thy God will send ... bringeth forth a viper, and a bad raven lays a ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm