ELIJAH: FED BY A RAVEN - NCCG.ORG Ning Network Archive 2008-10

by Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards

"Hey Elijah, let's race!"

"Well O.K., but you know I'm going to win!"

"Not this time! I've been practicing! I'm
going to win!"

With that, the race was on. What fun they had running and
playing in the dusty roads in Israel.

Then they heard a woman's voice. "Elijah! ELIJAH! It's time
to come inside."

"OH! Why do you have to go in? Why can't you stay and play a
little longer?" The other boys questioned.

"It's almost the Sabbath. It's time for me to get prepared
to go to the temple to worship Yahweh tomorrow. I enjoy it so much.
It is so exciting. I wouldn't miss it for anything!"

"Which Elohim do you worship?" One of the boys asked.

"My Elohim is Yahweh!" Elijah replied with a grin. "In fact,
that is what my name means. My - Elohim - is - Yahweh."

"My family worships Baal."

"At my house, we worship Ashtoreth. You just wouldn't
believe some of the things that happen over on the hill where the
idol of Ashtoreth is set up."

"We worship Molech, but I don't really like it much. It is
too scary."

"Well, I am glad that my Elohim is Yahweh, and I get to go to
the temple tomorrow!"

Then they heard the voice again. "Elijah, you MUST come in
now. Dinner is ready and you need to clean up. There is much that
needs to be done."

Many years passed and Elijah grew to be a strong man. He
also grew strong in the Lord. He never forgot the meaning of his
name. Elijah noticed how sinful and wicked Israel had become. He
noticed all the idols of false elohims that were being placed around
the country. He became sad and angry that more and more people
were worshipping these idols instead of Yahweh, the one true
Elohim.

Elijah thought and thought.

He prayed and prayed.

Then one day he knew exactly what
he had to do.

Elijah prepared to go to the palace to see the king. He
packed the things he thought he needed and got his donkey ready.
At last the time came, and he was on his way.

It wasn't an easy journey. Riding a donkey on the dirt path
wasn't much fun. Sometimes it seemed easier to get down and walk
along beside the donkey! On and on they traveled, leaving a cloud
of dust behind.

Along the way, many thoughts entered Elijah's mind. King
Ahab was a wicked king who did not worship Yahweh-Elohim. He even
helped set up some of the idols of the false elohim.

Would King Ahab want to see him?

Would the king believe what he had to say?

What if the king became angry?

Elijah didn't let these thoughts deter him. He continued on
until, right before his eyes, the palace appeared.

Seeing the palace made him excited and anxious to get inside
and see the king. He tied his donkey to a post, and quickly
brushed the dust off his clothes. He found water nearby and had
himself a drink. He rushed passed the guards explaining that he
had urgent business with the king. Up the steps and down the long
hallway he went. Turning a corner, he heard the voices of many
people and knew that very soon he would be face to face with King
Ahab.

The moment had arrived. Elijah was now standing before King
Ahab. He opened his mouth and said these words:

"As the Master Yahweh of Israel liveth, before whom I stand,
there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my
word."

Then - he turned and walked away.

"Who is that man?" The king asked angrily. "Who does he
think he is? Does he really think he has the power to control the
rain? How foolish! No rain until I say so," he taunted. "HMMPH! I
don't think we have anything to worry about," he said with a
snicker. "No HUMAN can decide whether or not it is going to
rain!" The crowd began to sneer and laugh at Elijah as he was
heading back down the hallway. However, he didn't let it bother
him. He knew he had accomplished his purpose for the day.

Elijah unhitched his donkey from the post and was preparing
for his return trip home. He heard a voice and turned to look,
but there was no one there. Elijah realized he was hearing the
voice of the Lord. Yahweh was telling him to turn toward the east
and hide near the Cherith Brook. Yahweh knew that wicked King Ahab
would become very angry with Elijah and would try to find him to
do him harm.

Elijah would have good water to drink from the brook, but
what would he do for food? Yahweh knew Elijah would need food, and
already had a plan. He told Elijah that the ravens would come
every day to feed him. It sure sounded strange, but Elijah
believed Yahweh. He knew Yahweh would provide for all his needs so he
did exactly what Yahweh told him. He turned east and went to the
Cherith Brook. Then he settled down on the soft grass to rest for
the night.

When morning came, Elijah was pretty hungry. He was
ready for breakfast. He heard the sound of flapping wings
above his head and looked up. There it was! The raven! It had
something in its mouth! Bread! The raven brought bread and
dropped it right beside Elijah. Sometimes the raven brought
bread; sometimes it brought pieces of meat. As long as Elijah
stayed near the brook, he never had to worry about having food to
eat. The ravens brought him two meals every day just as Yahweh had
promised. Elijah thought about his own name. He was so glad to
say "My Elohim is Yahweh!"

THINK!

What does the Bible say about idols and false elohim?
(Exodus 20: 3-5)
Why was King Ahab angry with Elijah?
Did Elijah have power to stop the rain?
How did Yahweh care for Elijah?
What is the meaning of Elijah's name?

BIBLE MEMORY VERSE

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you"
(1 Peter 5:7).

LET'S PRAY

****************************************************
Dear Yahweh, I thank You that You love and care for
me. I don't want to ever love anything or anyone
more than I love You. I pray that You will help me
to obey You and always live for You. In Yah'shua's Name.
Amen.
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CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?
I Kings 17: 1-6

You can view this Bible story in full color with pictures and
resources to go along with the story at
http://www.childrenschapel.org/biblestories/elijah.html

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