And you are to drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there." And you are to drink from the brookThe phrase "drink from the brook" signifies God's provision in the midst of a drought. The Hebrew word for "brook" is "נַחַל" (nachal), which often refers to a wadi or a seasonal stream. In the arid climate of the Near East, such water sources were crucial for survival. This command highlights God's sovereignty over nature and His ability to sustain His prophet, Elijah, even in desolate circumstances. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His promise to provide for His people, drawing parallels to the Israelites' reliance on God for manna in the wilderness. and I have commanded the ravens
The use of "ravens" is significant, as these birds are considered unclean according to Levitical law (Leviticus 11:15). The Hebrew word for "ravens" is "עֹרֵב" (orev). This choice underscores God's authority over all creation, using even the unexpected and the unclean to fulfill His purposes. It challenges human expectations and prejudices, demonstrating that God's ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). The ravens' obedience to God's command also serves as a testament to His control over the natural world, reinforcing the theme of divine provision. to provide for you there
The phrase "to provide for you" is rooted in the Hebrew word "כּוּל" (kul), meaning to sustain or nourish. This assurance of provision is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, where God promises to meet the needs of His faithful servants. The location "there" is significant, as it refers to a specific place of God's choosing, emphasizing the importance of obedience and trust in God's guidance. Elijah's reliance on God's provision at the brook Cherith is a powerful example of faith in action, encouraging believers to trust in God's provision even when circumstances seem dire. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElijahA prophet of God, known for his boldness and faithfulness. He is central to this passage as he follows God's command during a time of drought. 2. The Brook CherithA small stream east of the Jordan River where God directed Elijah to find water during the drought. 3. RavensBirds that God used to miraculously provide food for Elijah. In the Hebrew context, ravens are considered unclean, highlighting the extraordinary nature of God's provision. 4. GodThe sovereign provider and director of events, demonstrating His power and care for His prophet. 5. DroughtA significant event in Israel, brought about by God as a judgment against the idolatry of King Ahab and the nation. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in ProvisionGod can use any means, even unexpected or unconventional ones, to provide for His people. Faith in God's CommandsElijah's obedience to God's direction, despite the unusual circumstances, is a model of faith and trust. Dependence on God in Times of NeedIn times of scarcity or trial, believers are encouraged to rely on God's provision and timing. God's Care for His ServantsJust as God cared for Elijah, He cares for each of His followers, providing for their needs in His perfect way. The Role of Creation in God's PlanThe use of ravens highlights how all creation is under God's command and can be used for His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elijah's experience at the Brook Cherith challenge your understanding of God's provision in your life? 2. In what ways can you demonstrate faith and obedience like Elijah when faced with difficult or uncertain circumstances? 3. How does the account of Elijah and the ravens encourage you to trust in God's provision, even when it comes from unexpected sources? 4. Reflect on a time when God provided for you in a surprising way. How does this reinforce your faith in His care? 5. How can you apply the lessons from Elijah's reliance on God to your current situation or challenges? Consider other scriptures that speak to God's provision and care. Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 8:6-7The use of a raven by Noah during the flood account connects to God's use of ravens to provide for Elijah, showing God's control over creation. Matthew 6:26Jesus speaks of God's provision for the birds, which parallels the miraculous provision for Elijah, emphasizing trust in God's care. Philippians 4:19Paul speaks of God's provision for all needs, reflecting the same divine care shown to Elijah. Psalm 37:25David's testimony of never seeing the righteous forsaken connects to God's faithfulness in providing for Elijah. James 5:17-18Elijah is mentioned as a man of prayer, whose faith and obedience are exemplified in this passage. People Ahab, Elijah, ZidonPlaces Cherith, Gilead, Jordan River, Sidon, Tishbe, ZarephathTopics Brook, Commanded, Drink, Feed, Ordered, Orders, Provide, Ravens, Stream, Sustain, TorrentDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 17:4 4612 birds 1 Kings 17:1-6 5092 Elijah 1 Kings 17:1-16 4823 famine, physical 1 Kings 17:2-6 4478 meat 1 Kings 17:2-7 4260 rivers and streams 1 Kings 17:2-12 5569 suffering, hardship 1 Kings 17:4-16 5341 hunger Library Elijah Standing Before the Lord
And Elijah the Tishbite ... said ... As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand.--1 KINGS xvii. 1. This solemn and remarkable adjuration seems to have been habitual upon Elijah's lips in the great crises of his life. We never find it used by any but himself, and his scholar and successor, Elisha. Both of them employ it under similar circumstances, as if unveiling the very secret of their lives, the reason for their strength, and for their undaunted bearing and bold fronting of all antagonism. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Inexhaustible Barrel
Though, however, I make these few observations by way of preface, this is not the subject of this morning. I propose to take the case of the poor widow of Sarepta as an illustration of divine love, as it manifests itself to man; and I shall have three things for you to notice. First, the object of divine love; secondly, the singular methods of divine love; and, then, in the third place, the undying faithfulness of divine love--"The barrel of meal did not waste, neither did the cruse of oil fail, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860 Answered Prayer.
"And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah."--1 KINGS xvii. 22. Yes, and He will hear your voice if you are as much in earnest as he was! Why should not God hear the voice of William, or Robert, Sarah or Edith? He is no respecter of persons. Is it not written over the door of mercy, "Knock, and it shall be opened?" Aye, and the knocker is so low a child's hand may reach it. St. James tells us that Elijah was "a man of like passions." He was a human being like you and me, but he had faith in God. …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
WE Are now come to the letter of Mr. W's Jewish Rabby, whom Mr. W. calls his friend, and says his letter consists of calm and sedate reasoning, p. 55. I on the other hand can see no reason in it. But the reader than not need to rely upon my judgment. Therefore I will transcribe some parts of it, and then make some remarks. The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture; or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that account provoked against …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles Whether it is Praiseworthy to Enter Religion Without Taking Counsel of Many, and Previously Deliberating for a Long Time?
Objection 1: It would not seem praiseworthy to enter religion without taking counsel of many, and previously deliberating for a long time. For it is written (1 Jn. 4:1): "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits if they be of God." Now sometimes a man's purpose of entering religion is not of God, since it often comes to naught through his leaving the religious life; for it is written (Acts 5:38,39): "If this counsel or this work be of God, you cannot overthrow it." Therefore it would seem that …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Divination by Drawing Lots is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by drawing lots is not unlawful, because a gloss of Augustine on Ps. 30:16, "My lots are in Thy hands," says: "It is not wrong to cast lots, for it is a means of ascertaining the divine will when a man is in doubt." Objection 2: There is, seemingly, nothing unlawful in the observances which the Scriptures relate as being practiced by holy men. Now both in the Old and in the New Testament we find holy men practicing the casting of lots. For it is related …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Sovereignty of God in Administration
"The LORD hath prepared His Throne In the heavens; and His Kingdom ruleth over all" (Psa. 103:19). First, a word concerning the need for God to govern the material world. Suppose the opposite for a moment. For the sake of argument, let us say that God created the world, designed and fixed certain laws (which men term "the laws of Nature"), and that He then withdrew, leaving the world to its fortune and the out-working of these laws. In such a case, we should have a world over which there was no intelligent, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Importance in Luke's History of the Story of the Birth of Christ
IT needs no proof that Luke attached the highest importance to this part of his narrative. That Jesus was indicated from the beginning as the Messiah -- though not a necessary part of his life and work, and wholly omitted by Mark and only briefly indicated in mystical language by John -- was a highly interesting and important fact in itself, and could not fail to impress the historian. The elaboration and detail of the first two chapters of the Gospel form a sufficient proof that Luke recognized …
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem? A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 17:4 NIV1 Kings 17:4 NLT1 Kings 17:4 ESV1 Kings 17:4 NASB1 Kings 17:4 KJV
1 Kings 17:4 Commentaries
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