Raven

The raven is a large, intelligent, black bird that feeds on carrion, which made it ceremonially unclean under the law. It was the first bird Noah released from the ark, and it flew “to and fro” without returning, content among the floating remains.

Despite its unclean status, the raven becomes a striking emblem of God’s care. When Elijah hid by the brook Cherith, “the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening” — God using the least likely servants to feed his prophet. God himself “giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.”

Jesus pressed the point against anxiety: “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap… and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” If God provides for a scavenger he declared unclean, his children need not fear being forgotten.