1/27/12
We are told in 1Ki 17:1-6, that on the occasion of a severe drought, Elijah went out to live in the Wilderness; and that while he was out there ravens would bring him food to eat.
Have you ever thought about just what that might be like? Keep in mind that in the place and time we're talking about the social customs were very male dominated. Also remember that because of the drought food was getting hard to find.
Imagine:
A man comes home from work, sits at the table and picks up a knife and fork, then calls out, "Wife! Bring my dinner!"
His wife creeps in, upset and scared -- and empty handed. "It ... It's not my fault!", she says. "I was out at the fire-pit and had just
taken your steak off the grill and put it on a plate. Then, while I was checking to see if the bread was done, a big black bird swooped down out of nowhere, grabbed your steak, and flew away with it."
The husband roars, "What?! You expect me to believe that? You ate it! Didn't you?! Then you came up with this stupid story." Then slowly standing up, "Well, I'll show you ..."
Leaving the hungry husband and his unfortunate wife to their fate, we go out to the Wilderness.
We find Elijah relaxing under a Baobab tree. He has fixed up a hammock,
and is laying there enjoying the shade and a gentle breeze. He has a piece of tree stump beside him which serves as a side table, and on top of it waits an empty plate.
Elijah sits up and says, "Hmm. I'm feeling a bit peckish. I wonder where that worthless bird is with my dinner."
He scans the sky for a moment; then he sees the raven flapping toward him slowly, low to the ground and struggling under the weight. A minute later the raven lands on the stump, lays the steak on the plate, then hops backwards with a squawk.
Elijah looks with satisfaction at the large piece of meat, perfectly browned, and still smelling of smoke.
Turning to the raven he says, "Now how about finding me a salt shaker."
Then calling after the retreating bird, "And see if you can make it back before this gets any colder."
Looking again at the beautiful steak, he thinks, "Now all I need is a good side dish. Hmm. I wonder if baked potatoes and sour cream have been invented yet?!"
= = = = =
Bringing the story up to today, in speaking of the Time of the End we're told in Is 33:16, "your bread and water shall be sure".
When we read this we may think, "Well, we might not starve to death. But isn't ‘bread and water' prison food?"
However, we don't have to think the worst of God's promises. Instead, let's think of a freshly baked French baguette with a crispy crust and a cool bottle of Perier. That wouldn't be so bad; would it?
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