Ravens

Obedience is a common theme in the Bible. Just about every story hinges on it. The disciples could've refused to cast their nets on the other side of the boat but would've missed their blessing, and the lesson, of a catch so heavy they couldn't even get it into the boat. (John 21:1-14) Jonah chose disobedience and became lunch and endangered the lives of others. (Jonah 1) Moses was the object of anger with the Israelites as they were thirsty in the wilderness and because of his obedience, they were provided water from a rock. (Exodus 17:1-7) The second time this happened, Moses responded with anger instead and lost the honor of leading them into the land God had promised them. (Numbers 20:2-13)

Obedience is required. The list of stories go on and on but I want to pause a take a look at 1 Kings 17 today. Ahab is king and a terrible king he is. He's forsaken all the things he's supposed to be doing for God and angers Him instead. Elijah follows God's leading and announces a drought as punishment. 

Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him. - 1 Kings 16:33

Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” - 1 Kings 17:1

This isn't just any drought. It went on for years, three to be exact. (1 Kings 18:1, 18:45) After announcing this, God sent Elijah to hide in a ravine. (1 Kings 17:3) It's here that his obedience provides food to sustain him. It's here that God provides bread and meat by means of ravens. God withdrew from the nation He loved. He saw their evil ways and pulled His prophet back. 

The disobedience of the nation led to judgment. They refused to obey and were intentional in just the opposite so their choices led to God saying, "Nope." In His love, He tried another way to capture their attention. He tried to draw them back. He tried to get them to acknowledge that there was a better way. Because of their insistence on doing just the opposite, they suffered. 

Water is an essential part of life. Without it, nothing grows properly. Without water, there is no life. God sent Elijah to a place where this need would be met and not just the need for water. While there, He sent ravens with food for him. Ravens were considered unclean and couldn't be eaten themselves so their delivery of food is an interesting choice. Not just any food but meat and not just once but twice a day. Something people in that time just would not have done. Meat was reserved for special occasions but here, God's provision gives us opportunity to see His love. 

He placed Elijah right where he needed to be. He guided and protected him and met every need. Not just met but exceeded them in a miraculous fashion. He hid him safely in a ravine to provide protection from Ahab that wanted to kill him. He fed him food of such elaborate fare that it was as if it were from the King's table. He provided water for him in the form of the brook. When the time came that this brook dried up from the drought, He provided another way. (1 Kings 17:2-6)

God is a waymaker. His provision will always exceed what we can conjure up on our own. Here we are with a drought going on, the water source Elijah has relied on for "some time" has dried up, and he needs another way to survive.

Then the word of the Lord came to him: “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” - 1 Kings 17:8-9

Here's something that gets me. "I have directed a widow there to supply you with food." God made a way. He provided something Elijah needed from another unlikely source. This widow was clueless that she was to be used by God. She didn't have much hope herself. They were in a drought for goodness sake. Elijah asks her for a little water and a piece of bread.

“As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” - 1 Kings 17:12

She'd given up hope. She assumed this was it. She had nothing left to give and barely enough to sustain herself and her son. She was running on fumes. She was literally planning her last meal and here's this stranger coming in asking for the very last of her material possessions. 

Let's consider Elijah for a moment. The widow is never named but I can imagine she was taken aback when Elijah strolled up to her at town gate. The ravens had brought Elijah meat consistently. His need for water has been satisified. The story isn't clear how long he was there in the ravine but I can guarantee you he was looking healthier than the other people she was used to seeing. I imagine she may have been a little frustrated that this strapping man is asking for what is to be her last bites of food before she dies.

Here's the thing. While the Bible isn't clear what her thought process was when she saw Elijah, it is clear that God made this meeting possible. He directed Elijah to her and directed the widow to supply him with food. This woman, who lived in the heart of the origins of the Baal worship that landed everyone in this mess, isn't even from the circle of God's chosen people. He went to a source no one would have predicted to provide in a miraculous way that no one would be able to deny was from Him. This woman was starving. She had every intention on having a few last little nibbles and literally dying from hunger. Until God stepped in.

She made her objection. His request didn't make any sense to her. She had nothing to offer him. She was already scraping the bottom of her barrel. She was spent and thought her time had come. Oh but it had come, only not for death but her time to shine. 

Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.'" She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 1 Kings 17:13-15

She was obedient. Elijah was obedient in going to her. She didn't understand and perhaps was even a little blase about it because at this point did it really even matter? She had plans to die anyway. This was the end. But. Here was this chance. Maybe? Just maybe? Perhaps this man is telling the truth. Perhaps he may have some special insight. But if not, she's dead anyway. May as well try? 

A handful of flour and a little olive oil in a jug. That's all God needed. That's it. Throw in a splash of obedience and a drop of faith and this family and prophet were feed for some time, in the middle of a three year drought. The oil never ran out. The flour was never used up. God never promised them filet mignon. He didn't promise them a seven course meal. He promised He would sustain them. The widow's obedience, despite the unlikely or dare I say inconvenience of the request, literally saved her life. 

Sometimes obedience is easy. It comes at no real cost and it's a simple task. Sometimes, you have to get dirty and uncomfortable. Sometimes, it requires you to take a leap of faith and step out into brand new territory. Sometimes, it means going left when everyone around you calls you crazy and demands you turn right. Sometimes, it hurts and you lose everything. I can't promise it's going to be easy. But one thing I can promise is that it will be worth it. 

I'm reminded of the verses in Matthew 6. He tells us not to worry about the little things. He tells us that we are more important than the birds of the air and to consider how well fed they are. Tells us to consider the flowers and how well dressed they are and reminds us that we are more loved and valued than that. God knows what we need and wants to provide. 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

By seeking His kingdom first, by making Him the number on priority, 'all these things will be given to you as well.' Despite the opposition and regardless of whether or not it makes any sense to us, His plans are perfect and He wants nothing but the best for us. (Isaiah 55:8-9, Jeremiah 29:11)

Sometimes our answers come from unlikely sources. This nation was deep in the throughs of Baal worship, which for them, meant lord of the rain clouds but he was powerless to break the drought Elijah spoke over them at God's command. Elijah was obedient and went to the ravine where God honored that obedience and fed him by way of ravens. When the time for the raven deliveries had ended, God provided food by way of a widow with nothing to offer. She chose obedience and as a result her family was saved. 

Bring God your brokenness. Bring Him your tiny scraps from all you have left. Bring Him the hurting, dry and cracked life you've scrapped by with so far. He loves you so immensely. He wants to badly to draw you close and provide every thing you need. He is the Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides. He calls for you. He longs for you to take that first step. He will meet you right there in your brokenness, right where you are. He loves you so much He thinks you were worth dying for.

Let Him take those broken pieces and make something beautiful from them. Give him that little bit of flour and oil you have left and allow Him to sustain you.  If you don't understand this love and provision, please, reach out. I'd love to tell you more.