“Consider the ravens: for they neither

sow nor reap; which neither have

storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth

them”

 

(Luke 12:24)

 

 

 

 

 

 

There could be no greater contrast than between last month’s bird and this month’s. The splendid peacock has all the colours of the rainbow - while the raven appears all in black! The peacock is greatly valued but the raven is often associated with evil.

 

This tells the story of man. When he was created man bore the image of God in his soul. He had knowledge, righteousness and holiness. He loved and enjoyed God. In his original state we could say that man was “as proud as a peacock” - though all his glorying was in God alone. Then sin entered and what a change took place! Death came and man lost all that made him great. His soul became as black as a raven. Now he boasts in himself. But God has not abandoned him.

 

Ravens belong to the Crow family which includes magpies and jays. They have powerful wings and a strong bill and feet. They will eat almost anything and are scavengers, sometimes seeking out sick animals and waiting for them to die. They have a keen sense of smell which enables them to find their prey or ‘carrion’. Their call is a distinctive ‘croak’. They are found on the hills and cliffs in the north and west of Britain. Their large nests are made of sticks and may be seen high in trees.

 

 

By providence we mean God’s care of the world. God preserves all things and directs everything according to His great purpose, which is to glorify Himself and to save His people. God often intervenes in our lives, particularly when we are in need and call upon Him for help.

 

The raven is the first bird mentioned in the Bible. In Genesis a notable providence takes place. A great flood carries away millions into eternity. Only Noah and his family are safe inside the ark. Eventually the ark comes to rest. The waters are receding and many mountain tops can be seen through the window. But how is Noah to know when the lower land is dry again? “And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth” (Gen.8:7). Wise Noah knows that if there is dry land then the raven will find it, for this bird will be attracted to the animal carcases covering the ground and will not be seen again. But the raven keeps coming back to the ark. We must learn to wait for the Lord’s time.

 

 

God can provide for His people in unusual ways too. He once used ravens to provide food for His servant Elijah. It was a time of great drought and severe famine. The Lord told Elijah to go to a certain river. “And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there” (1Kings 17:4). Perhaps many of us would think, “I can’t believe that! It couldn’t happen. I won’t go!” Elijah though was obedient, and God’s promise was fulfilled. “And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook” (v.6). The birds served Elijah his breakfast and supper! A remarkable providence. This was surely the hand of God because ravens, of all birds, would hardly take up food without eating it themselves! In His providence God may work against the natural course of things. Truly God governs all His creatures and all their actions.

 

 

Consider the ravens!