Bible Question: What was so special about the raven That God used it both with Noah and Elijah ?1st kings 17 vs 4 |
Bible Answer: I have asked this same question myself, so I don't think I will have a good answer, but to further the interest.... I have read very old Jewish commentaries that equated the Raven during the flood with the Devil, flying to and fro over the waters. Else where in scripture Satan is described as going to and fro (Job 1:7). Also, the bird is unclean and would have fed on the dead, not needing to re-enter the Ark. Also, Noah may not have wanted it to re-enter considering that which is symbolized, death, while the dove would symbolize life. Most likely the raven did return to the ark from time to time to rest and it would not have had a shortage of food. The raven is never seen as a positive creature when seen symbolically, so the question still remains, WHY DID A RAVEN FEED ELIJAH? After all, we know what the raven feeds on and symbolizes. So why would God have a Raven feed Elijah at this time. ...I do not know. But one thing I am certain of, there is a purpose and meaning that I do not see yet, but it is there and the original readers would have known it at least in part. God doesn’t produce His word without every word and even every letter being significant (Matt 5:18) MJH |