In a land called Israel, there was once a courageous prophet of God named Elijah. Elijah often talked to God and told people what God told him. At that time, there was a king named Ahab in the land who did things that were not pleasing to God. Because people did not listen to God and worshiped other gods, Elijah told the king that there would be no more rain for a few years until Elijah proclaimed it again. The land would become very dry.
God then spoke to Elijah and said, “Go away from here and hide by the brook Crith. I will take care of you there.” Elijah trusted God and set out on his way. He wandered through the dry land until he came to the brook Krit. There Elijah sat down to hide.
Elijah was not alone. God had sent miraculous helpers: ravens! These black birds had bread and meat in their beaks, which they brought to Elijah. Every morning and evening the ravens flew in to provide Elijah with food. Elijah drank the fresh water from the stream and felt safe, knowing that God was with him and caring for him.
Every day the ravens came on time. They flew to Elijah and dropped the food, just as God had said. Elijah thanked God for all he had and trusted that God would provide for him in a miraculous way.
Elijah learned that God always cares for His children, even when times are difficult. God had a special way of protecting and helping Elijah, and Elijah felt safe in God’s presence, even in the wilderness.
Message of history
God took care of Elijah even when there was no rain in the land. We can trust that God will also take care of us and provide for us in a wonderful way, no matter how difficult the circumstances.
Bible passage
The story of Elijah and the ravens is found in 1 Kings 17:1-6:
“And Elijah the Tishbiter, of the companions of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whose face I stand, neither dew nor rain shall come in these years unless I say so. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Get out of here, and turn to the east, and hide yourself by the brook of Critus, which flows against the Jordan.” And it shall come to pass that you shall drink from the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to take care of you there. So he went and did according to the word of the Lord; he went and stayed by the brook Krit, which flows towards the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.”
