Crow Or Raven
Children's sermon
Learning From the Lizard
Bible Animal Object Lessons
Object:
A Purpose In Common Things
"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!" (Luke 12:24 NRSV).
The very first bird mentioned in the Bible is the raven. At the time of the Flood, Genesis 8:6-7 puts it this way: "At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth" (Genesis 8:6-7 NRSV). The raven with tremendous endurance will roam far from its home in search of food. Perhaps we can assume that the raven, some place far from the ark, did find food and had no reason to return. The raven or crow was thought to be able to smell land at a great distance and was often taken on early voyages of exploration for that purpose.
The crow family includes jays, ravens, magpies, rooks, jackdaws, and fish crows. The word "raven" is most often used in the Bible. There are ten references to raven in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word is oreb and literally means "the black one." The one reference in the New Testament is given above.
Mosaic law did not allow the raven to be used as food. But in 1 King 17:4-6 the ravens brought food to Elijah at the beginning of the drought that ravaged Israel. They are mentioned as indications of God's protective love (Job 38:41, Psalm 147:9 and Luke 12:24). The Psalm passage says: "He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry." The black luster of the raven's beautiful feathers is brought to mind in the Song of Solomon 5:11 where the beloved is described: "His locks are wavy, black as a raven."
Crows or ravens are very intelligent birds. They can easily be tamed as pets and can imitate sounds; sometimes they are even taught to speak as well as parrots do. Crows can be destructive to other smaller birds and crops, but are helpful insect eaters. To their credit, scientists have estimated that crows eat nineteen bushels of insects in a single season on the average farm.
Lessons From The Crow
The crow is sometimes considered to be an ugly, dirty, or cruel bird, but even so, we have noted how God cares for and uses them. The common things of life do have a real purpose in God's creative and unique plan.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, you have told us to "consider the ravens" because you care for them. Thank you for reminding us that we don't have to worry about what we will eat or wear. Instead may we seek first your Kingdom, and may we reach out to provide help and care for those less fortunate than we, who do not have sufficient food, clothing, or housing. May we find true areas of service among the least and lost of the world. We pray in the name of Jesus who came to serve all. Yes, Lord! Amen.
"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!" (Luke 12:24 NRSV).
The very first bird mentioned in the Bible is the raven. At the time of the Flood, Genesis 8:6-7 puts it this way: "At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth" (Genesis 8:6-7 NRSV). The raven with tremendous endurance will roam far from its home in search of food. Perhaps we can assume that the raven, some place far from the ark, did find food and had no reason to return. The raven or crow was thought to be able to smell land at a great distance and was often taken on early voyages of exploration for that purpose.
The crow family includes jays, ravens, magpies, rooks, jackdaws, and fish crows. The word "raven" is most often used in the Bible. There are ten references to raven in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word is oreb and literally means "the black one." The one reference in the New Testament is given above.
Mosaic law did not allow the raven to be used as food. But in 1 King 17:4-6 the ravens brought food to Elijah at the beginning of the drought that ravaged Israel. They are mentioned as indications of God's protective love (Job 38:41, Psalm 147:9 and Luke 12:24). The Psalm passage says: "He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry." The black luster of the raven's beautiful feathers is brought to mind in the Song of Solomon 5:11 where the beloved is described: "His locks are wavy, black as a raven."
Crows or ravens are very intelligent birds. They can easily be tamed as pets and can imitate sounds; sometimes they are even taught to speak as well as parrots do. Crows can be destructive to other smaller birds and crops, but are helpful insect eaters. To their credit, scientists have estimated that crows eat nineteen bushels of insects in a single season on the average farm.
Lessons From The Crow
The crow is sometimes considered to be an ugly, dirty, or cruel bird, but even so, we have noted how God cares for and uses them. The common things of life do have a real purpose in God's creative and unique plan.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, you have told us to "consider the ravens" because you care for them. Thank you for reminding us that we don't have to worry about what we will eat or wear. Instead may we seek first your Kingdom, and may we reach out to provide help and care for those less fortunate than we, who do not have sufficient food, clothing, or housing. May we find true areas of service among the least and lost of the world. We pray in the name of Jesus who came to serve all. Yes, Lord! Amen.
