in the vicinity of the Jordan. The prophet obeyed, and behold, the ravens[1] brought him bread or flesh every morning and every evening for many days: and he drank of the torrent.
Some time after the brook ran dry[2], and the Lord commanded Elias to go to Sarepta (Fig. 48)[3], a city of Sidon. Elias went accordingly, and when he drew near the gate of the city he saw a woman gathering sticks[4], and he called her and said: “Give me a little water in a vessel that I may drink.”
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Fig. 48. Place where ancient Sarepta stood. (Phot. Bonfils.)
As the woman was going to fetch it he called after her: “Bring me also a morsel of bread.” She answered: “As the Lord thy God[5] liveth, I have no bread, but only a handful of meal in a pot and a little oil in a cruse; I am gathering two sticks that
- ↑ The ravens. From whence did they get this food? The Lord who commanded them to bring it provided for that (St. Augustine).
- ↑ Ran dry. Because no rain had fallen for a long time.
- ↑ Sarepta. See map: between Tyre and Sidon.
- ↑ Sticks. To make a fire.
- ↑ Thy God. She recognised Elias to be an Israelite, and swore by the living God; for she believed in Him, though she was living in the midst of the pagan Sidonians.
