I like ravens. They’re not a particularly attractive bird, and their singing voice leaves much to be desired. Yet, they are smart, can be very friendly, and are generally interesting. They can even be taught to mimic human speech.
They even play Games. One day, Kathy and I watched a trio of them play a raven version of kick the can using a discarded pop can. It was quite amusing.
Our culture often depicted ravens as symbols of evil. They are cast as creatures of corruption and chaos. They are shown to be omens of darkness and death.
Yet the Bible treats them differently. They are admittedly not kosher because they are both scavengers and birds of prey. Still, Noah sent ravens to search for dry land after the flood.
The Lord also used ravens to bless and nourish Elijah in his time of depression and need.
Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tisbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” And the word of the Lord came to him: “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of 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. 1 Kings 17:1-6
I think that tells us more about God than it does ravens. God used something despised by the world for His glory and service.
His love for the broken, weak, ignored, despised, and abused is what caused Him to send Jesus to come in our stead. We were lost in a world of darkness with no hope of ever being redeemed, yet He came to save us.
How marvellous is that?
The next time you see a raven, be reminded of how much God loves you, too.
Be blessed
Kevin
On a related note
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2026 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, “Gleanings From The Word.”
Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved
From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.