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. So he went and did according unto the
word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that [is] before
Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread
and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. And it came to pass after
a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. 1 Kings 17:1-7
In the days of the great prophet, Elijah, the Lord directed him to tell evil King Ahab of Israel that there would be no rain for three years, thus ushering in a severe famine. Why did God do this? To encourage the people to turn their hearts back to Him. Interestingly, during this time, God sent Elijah away to a place called Cherith (which means to cut off), essentially, separating His prophet from the rest of the world. But even though Elijah was tucked away, he was kept safe and provided for with water from the brook, as well as the dead flesh and bread delivered from the talons and beaks of unclean birds.
It might seem strange that God would use these dark, ominous animals to provide for His righteous servant, but He knows best, clearly superseding the requirements of the law. Under normal circumstances, Elijah would never eat such food, but he obeyed the voice of the Lord, knowing that in His majesty and grace, the flesh and bread was declared clean. Isn't that what Jesus did on the cross--make that which was unclean, clean?
Have you ever been in a similar situation in your walk with the Lord, where you were being provided for (either spiritually, emotionally or financially) by people or circumstances that seem unclean? Perhaps it is a job, boss, relative, friend, a nonbeliever or carnal, religious person who has no real heart for God? There is a purpose in that, even though you might not be able to see it. Perhaps you are being tucked away, hidden from the rest of the world so that God can do a work in you, teaching you to learn from Him and trust Him completely? During this time, you may be uncomfortable, but may be able to see great growth in your spiritual walk. The world will not be able to see it, and may call you a failure, but the fruit of spiritual blessings are undeniable. As ordained as that place may be and as dependant as you might become in that situation, you aren't meant to stay there forever. Eventually, this provision will dry up (just like the Brook Cherith did for Elijah) and you will be called to move on to the next season in your life.
If you read further in 1 Kings, you will see that the Lord took the prophet to a place of refining (called Zarephath) where he met a widow woman who sustained him supernaturally until rain was restored to the land. After that, he was able to confront Ahab and the prophets of Baal, causing the people to repent and rededicate themselves to the Lord. Rain fell in abundance and restoration came--the prophet had fulfilled his calling from the Lord.
If your brook has dried up and the ravens in your life are no longer providing food, then it is clear a change has taken place. More than likely, God is behind that change, and it would be best for you not to fight Him. He's urging you to move forward into the next season He has established for your life, just like He planned for Elijah. Yes, it may be scary and uncomfortable, as change always is, but it will always be better than where you are now. Be obedient to what the Lord is telling you and move! Like Elijah, leave your sheltered, sequestered place and dependency on unclean people and circumstances, and press into God. Lean into Him and believe His word and all will be well!
