ELIJAH’S PROVIDER - Louis Gervais

Elijah was introduced in the canon of Scripture with these words: “Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before Whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.’” –1 Kings 17:1 

This is especially significant because it would prove to Ahab that God would keep His word (He said in Deuteronomy that He would withhold rain if Israel turned to worshiping false gods) and because worshipers of Baal believed that their idol was the god of rain. It wouldn’t be long before King Ahab, son of Omri, would start to look for Elijah in order to kill him, so the LORD told Elijah, “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.” –1 Kings 17:3-4 

I just want to draw your attention to the obvious: when the LORD told Elijah, “I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there,” He meant, “there.” (The brook Cherith.) In order to be provided for and to escape execution, Elijah had to obey God’s specific instructions and do exactly as He said. “So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook.” –1 Kings 17:5-6 

Elijah showed prompt obedience to God’s specific leading, and each of us should do the same. And, while the prophet was inside the will of God, his most basic needs were provided. Plus, God protected him from his persecutor. “Elijah” means “my God is YHWH.” The Lord did not only give Elijah food and protection, but there were also instances were God provided His prophet with housing (1 Kings 17:17-18), with a public victory over the powers of darkness at Carmel (1 Kings 18:38-39), with rain (1 Kings 18:45), with His presence (1 Kings 19:13), with work (1 Kings 19:15), with a successor (1 Kings 19:16), with the privilege of proclaiming the Word of the LORD—which Elijah then did with authority (1 Kings 21:20-24), with God’s seal of approval (2 Kings 1:10) and lastly, the LORD provided him with a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Praise the LORD!

ELIJAH’S PROVIDER Louis Gervais