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Raven was a carrion eater. They ate the decaying flesh of dead animals. It was considered an unclean animal in Leviticus 11:
Numbers 19:
Now, Leviticus 12:
The unclean ravens did not affect Elijah's credibility. Even before this, he likely had eaten food prepared by unclean people.
What was the significance of Elijah being fed specifically by ravens?
It foreshadowed an unclean Sidonian widow at Zarephath would prepare food for Elijah in v 9.
Also, it foreshadowed Acts 10:
1 Kings 17:13“ ‘These are the birds you are to regard as unclean and not eat because they are unclean: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, 14the red kite, any kind of black kite, 15 any kind of raven
Were the bread and meat clean?2 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 3“Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”
5 So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
Numbers 19:
Applying the above principle, the bread and meat were unclean.22 Anything that an unclean person touches becomes unclean, and anyone who touches it becomes unclean till evening.”
Now, Leviticus 12:
After Mary gave birth to Jesus, presumably, she breastfed baby Jesus while she was unclean.2 "Say to the Israelites, 'A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be unclean for seven days, as she is during the days of her menstruation.
The unclean ravens did not affect Elijah's credibility. Even before this, he likely had eaten food prepared by unclean people.
What was the significance of Elijah being fed specifically by ravens?
It foreshadowed an unclean Sidonian widow at Zarephath would prepare food for Elijah in v 9.
Also, it foreshadowed Acts 10:
The unclean has been made clean. The ravens feeding Elijah weren't just about survival—they were a prophetic act pointing to God's larger plan of breaking down barriers between clean and unclean, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
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