What’s so Special About the Raven?

Have you ever wondered why the Bible refers to the lowly raven in several places? Today, AWSA sister Kathy Collar Miller and her husband Larry offer some insight on this from their new devotional God’s Intriguing Questions. Don’t miss the chance to win your own copy by commenting after the blog. Now here are the Miller’s.

Who provides for the raven its prey?” Job 38:41

By Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller

As God continues his questioning of Job to bring him to the end of himself, God points out the animals he has made, indicating his sustaining nature.

One example is the raven God uses as a visual aid in Job 38:41. God asks Job, “Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?”

We might wonder why the raven is mentioned instead of other birds, but commentators point out the raven was typically considered an inferior bird, which was unclean and dirty because it eats dead flesh. Supposedly, people believed ravens didn’t care well for their young in the nest, and babies were on their own to find food. Plus, humans tended to think of them as ugly and common.

Jesus refers to the raven in Luke 12:24: “Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!”

I doubt many of us really wondered why Jesus would choose the raven for his example. It just represents any bird, right? But when we take into account how the ancients viewed the raven the reference takes on more meaning.

In the story of Elijah when he hides by the Cherith brook, he is on his own without food, yet God tells him, “You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there” (I Kings 17:4). The dreaded birds seem to be one of God’s favorite messengers even if people don’t value them.

God chooses the least regarded bird for the purpose of helping his prophet continue serving his creator. God entrusts the raven with the important task, not because the raven has anything to offer, but because God takes the small, weak, and ill-regarded and uses them for his purposes to show he is massive, strong, and worthy to be glorified. His nature includes sustaining life in whatever way he desires.

God takes the small, weak, and ill-regarded and uses them for his purposes to show he is massive, strong, and worthy to be glorified. #BigGod, #Faith Click To Tweet

Just these three biblical appearances of the raven emphasize the point of God’s question to Job: If God is willing and able to sustain the lowliest of creatures, neglected by men for care, and criticized for not caring for their young, how much more is he a sustainer of all things. We can absolutely trust him to keep our planet turning until the very instant he has determined it will stop.

Job originally fails to submit himself to God’s care in the midst of all his disastrous problems. His physical, emotional, and mental pain overwhelms his confidence in God’s sustaining nature, which can strengthen Job’s peace and trust.

Certainly, there are few who have gone through such intense loss. Each of us find it difficult to trust God for challenges far less intense. We can’t judge Job. But God does want us to learn as Job did. God will sustain every single one of us because of his love, even if every other person thinks ill of us. Not because we deserve it, but because God is sustaining in his character.

  • Is it meaningful to you God uses a raven to point to his sustaining nature?
  • Can you reflect on a time God surprisingly sustained you?

God of the universe, I praise you because you are beyond comprehension in so many ways, especially your sustaining attribute. Thank you for reminding me you intend to even take care of your humble creation like me.

Want to know God better? 

Have you noticed the many times God and Jesus ask questions in the Bible? Doesn’t it seem rather unusual? After all, God knows everything. To His glory, God Almighty doesn’t lack information, discernment, or understanding.
Therefore, why does He ask questions? For whose benefit does He ask questions? In God’s Intriguing Questions: 40 Old Testament Devotions, husband and wife team, Larry and Kathy Collard Miller share insights from examining 40 questions God asks in the Old Testament. 
Their goal is to help you unearth a fascinating spiritual exploration of who God is, in all the amazing aspects of His nature–His love, grace, faithfulness, mercy, kindness, wisdom, and so many other incredible pure qualities. He desires to draw us into more intimate connection with Him by learning the truth about Him.
 
The Millers have been in ministry since 1978 as speakers, authors, and lay counsellors. They married in 1970 and God empowered them to overcome the dysfunctional marriage and family they had developed early in their marriage. Larry is a retired police lieutenant from Huntington Beach Police Department. Both individually and as a couple they have authored over 55 books and spoken in nine foreign countries. They live in Southern California and are parents and grandparents. Visit them at www.KathyCollardMiller.com

Give Away

Kathy is making a copy of God’s Intriguing Questions: 40 Old Testament Devotions Revealing God’s Nature available to the winner of a book drawing. Enter to win by commenting below by March 15. (US addresses only can win.)
This guest blog is adapted from God’s Intriguing Questions: 40 Old Testament Devotions Revealing God’s Nature

Order God’s Intriguing Questions: 40 Old Testament Devotions Revealing God’s Nature.

The Millers have been in ministry since 1978 as speakers, authors, and lay counselors. They married in 1970 and God empowered them to overcome the dysfunctional marriage and family they had developed early in their marriage. Larry is a retired police lieutenant from Huntington Beach Police Department. Both individually and as a couple they have authored over 55 books and spoken in nine foreign countries. They live in Southern California and are parents and grandparents.

Connect with the authors at:
Twitter: @KathyCMiller and @LarryMiller
Pinterest/Kathyspeak

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16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Melissa Henderson

    Yes, God uses the weak to show others His love and strength. I am thankful for God and how He loves us.

    • Debbie Wilson

      Me too, Melissa. Thanks so much!

    • Kathy Collard Miller

      Thanks for stopping by, Melissa. I’m rejoicing with you in God’s ability to use us though weak. Blessings to you and thanks for entering the drawing!

  2. J.D. Wininger

    Always love Ms. Kathy Collard Miller’s posts; and this one is no different Ms. Debbie. Wonderful insights shared. When I think on ravens, I think of them as “scavenger birds” such as turkey vultures and buzzards. I abhor these animals because I’ve watched them pick clean the bones of animals who have died in my care. While I always try and bury calves, donkeys, etc., it’s inevitable they other scavengers (e.g. coyotes) will dig part of them up. I am angered when I see them gathering around a recently deceased animal, but then God reminds me of some of these verses. I am given to think that without them, our world would most surely be an even more disease-filled, stinky environment. They too have a purpose, to help clean up the refuse of this world and its death. Enjoyed this new perspective. Thank you!

    • Debbie Wilson

      J.D. your insights from living on a ranch always enlighten this city girl. Thanks so much!

    • Kathy Collard Miller

      Great insight, J.D. Yes, God has a purpose for everything. Thanks for giving us the insights from a rancher. Your world fascinates me. And thanks for entering the drawing.

  3. Bethany McIlrath

    I didn’t know anything about how ravens were regarded in the Bible. This makes me smile and gives me such hope! Thank you!

    • Debbie Wilson

      Me too, Bethany! How encouraging.

    • Kathy Collard Miller

      Thanks so much for commenting, Bethany. I’m so pleased our post was meaningful for you. I also was given hope when studying about the raven. God is indeed creative, isn’t He? Thanks for stopping by and entering the drawing.

  4. Laurie

    I enjoyed reading about how ravens were thought of in biblical times. Today, we know they are extremely intelligent, adaptable, playful birds who mate for life. We can learn a lot from the lowly raven. It is amazing how God uses them to teach us about His love.

    • Kathy Collard Miller

      Thank you, Laurie, for those insights! I should include those too! LOL But really, I so appreciate you sharing and also entering the drawing. God bless you!

  5. Ann Musico

    This was fascinating and I just love things like this. The book sounds fascinating as well. God always has a reason for anything He says or does and it is so comforting and encouraging to me that He cares for even the ravens. How then can I doubt He will care for what matters to me? Awesome!

    • Debbie Wilson

      Ann, that was my takeaway too. I’m so glad He reminds us of His care repeatedly.

    • Kathy Collard Miller

      Ann, thank you for your comments. I had the same feelings as we wrote the book. Finding fascinating things underneath the obvious is one of my passions. Thanks for entering the drawing!

  6. Juli Bishop

    I love this couple and have read several of their books. I can’t wait to read this one.

    • Kathy Collard Miller

      Thanks so much, Juli, for stopping by Debbie’s blog and entering the drawing. And we sure appreciate your encouragement about our books! Blessings to you!

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