Observation: A famine comes to the land. The god Baal is supposed to be the god of the thunderstorms and weather. As Elijah predicts the famine because of lack of rain, we are intended to hear that the Lord is the God who is actually in command of the weather. This is also intended to be heard as punishment for King Ahab because of his idol worship of Baal. Yet the Lord provides for the prophet by bringing him to kedish brook and he is fed during the drought by ravens.
Application: God provides everything. One of my favorite stories in scripture, I have had several observations and applications over the years. Having benefited from God's provision during times when the well (or brook) runs dry is one application I can continue to thank God. However, more recently I have seen this story in the greater narrative. What if God is responsible for drying up the brook? God did stop the rain after all. The brook at kedish is intended to be a pitstop for the prophet not the destination. At times we can believe that God has brought us to the brook as the place where we are to stay. God intends that time of provision as food for the journey ahead. The brook and the ravens nurture Elijah so that he can go from there and resurrect the widows son and then go on to defeat 850 prophets of Baal.
At times, it is hard to see that in what God is doing in our life. We like the brook after all!
Where are you in your journey today, resting at the brook or realizing God dried up the brook for something bigger? Who are the agents that are feeding you from God?
Prayer: Lord, when the brook drys up, help us to see that you are in control and that you have called us to greater things than the pitstops your provide.