God’s Providential Care: Elijah, Obedience, and the Sovereign Provision of God

A biblical reflection on 1 Kings 17 and the faithful care of God for His servants.

Text: 1 Kings 17:2-4; 7-9 "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.  And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.  And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there...And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.  And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee."

God’s Judgment and Elijah’s Obedience

The events recorded in the life of the prophet Elijah are both wonderful and significant. They arise directly from Elijah’s obedience in declaring the judgment of a drought upon the land of Israel because of the wickedness of King Ahab. Scripture describes Ahab as the king who "did more to provoke the anger of the Lord God of Israel" than any other king (1 Kings 16:33). He married Jezebel, the daughter of a pagan gentil. Under her influence, Ahab worshipped and served Baal, erecting an altar in a temple dedicated to Baal worship. Twice the Bible describes his reign as wicked above all other kings (1 Kings 16:33; 21:25).

Ahab’s actions and attitudes stirred up the anger of Jehovah to the point that God sent Elijah to pronounce a three-year drought upon the land. This drought brought difficulty to everyone in Israel, including Elijah himself. Yet God did not forget His servant. He provided everything Elijah needed during that terrible time. What stands out is that God’s method of provision was not what human reasoning would naturally expect. The provision came on two separate occasions, and both were miraculous.

The Unusual Means of Divine Provision

On both occasions, God sent Elijah to a specific location to be cared for by a specific means, and in both instances He used the phrase, "I have commanded" in relation to the source of that care. First, God commanded ravens to carry food to Elijah. The raven is a scavenger that feeds on recently dead flesh, berries, seeds, and fruit. These birds were perfectly suited to supply the food necessary to sustain the prophet. They could move freely, go where men could not easily go, and remain unnoticed. Yet for these birds to share their provisions with Elijah required direct intervention by the Creator.

The second occasion involved an unknown and insignificant widow as the source of sustenance for the prophet. In this instance, God gave a miraculous daily supply of oil and meal to the woman whom He had ordained to care for His servant. This woman was chosen from among an entire population that certainly included persons and families who could have provided Elijah with better accommodations and a far greater quantity and quality of food. Contrary to all human logic, God used birds and a simple woman in dire poverty to care for and sustain His prophet.

God’s Ways and Man’s Expectations

The prophet Isaiah records God’s message to Israel concerning how He thinks and acts: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). Using birds and a helpless widow would not be the way man would ordinarily choose to provide for a special representative. On the contrary, businesses often send their representatives to the best hotels, provide meals at the best restaurants, and arrange the best transportation their budgets will allow. God, however, compares the difference between His ways and man’s ways to the distance between heaven and earth.

When we examine both occasions in Elijah’s life, the unusual details emphasize the character and purpose of God. In both cases, the divine authority of God over nature and man is clearly revealed. In both cases, the protection and provision for God’s servant are shown to be divine in purpose and work. In both cases, only God could have accomplished the work through such humble instruments and miraculous means.

The Continuing Comfort of God’s Providence

We must remember that the same God who cared for Elijah has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He has promised to supply all the needs of His servants (Philippians 4:19). He remains the supreme sovereign of the universe, as declared by Jesus Christ when He said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen" (Matthew 28?18-19a).

Elijah confronted the most rebellious king of Israel up to his time, along with that king’s wicked wife, Jezebel. Yet the Lord protected him and provided for him. God may not protect or provide in the way that seems most logical to us, but His way is always best. He cares for His servant in a manner that glorifies Himself, reveals His sovereignty, and strengthens the faith of those who trust Him.