Proverbs 10:3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casts away the substance of the wicked.
‘Will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish.’ Examples are Elijah (1Kin. 17:1-24) and David (2Sam. 17:1-29).
Elijah is considered one of the greatest of the prophets. He is not called a writing prophet because he didn’t leave a book like the ones from Isaiah to Malachi, but he did write four verses (2Chr. 21:12-15). No prophet has been more vividly described as he has been, nor have any been so counterfeited. Many throughout the ages have claimed to be Elijah since he is clearly predicted to return to the earth to help restore Israel just before the second coming of Christ (Mal. 4:5-6; Rev. 11:3-12). Elijah is also revealed as one of two anointed men who now stand before God, symbolized by two olive trees and two candlesticks (Zech. 14:11-14; Rev. 11:3-12). He is the only prophet whom people tried to identify with John the Baptist (Matt. 16:14; Mark 6:15; 8:28; John 1:21-25), and the only one whom John the Baptist imitated in spirit, power, and ministry (Matt. 11:14; 17:11-12; Mark 9:12-13; Luke 1:17).
Three times Elijah was miraculously fed: By ravens – many meals, twice daily for several days (1Kin. 17:4-7) – an amazing miracle for creatures of limited intelligence who are afraid of man and have no obvious means of providing food. By a widow (1Kin. 17:9-16). By an angel (1Kin. 19:5-6).
David was provided for – fourteen kinds of supplies – by others (2Sam. 17:28-29) through God’s provision when he hid from Absalom in Mahanaim.
‘Casts away the substance of the wicked.’ Four examples of destroying goods of the wicked: Israel (Jdg. 6:1-4); Samaria (1Kin. 18:2; 2Kin. 6:25); Jerusalem (Lam. 5:10; Zeph. 1:18); Chaldeans (Hab. 2:8).
Living the Word 