The raven is classed among the unclean by the law, (Leviticus 11:15) Notwithstanding, we have an account in Scripture of the ministry of this bird upon two remarkable occasions. The former from the ark of Noah, (Genesis 8:7) and the other feeding the prophet Elijah at the brook Cherith. (1 Kings 17:4-6) Some have supposed that the word Orebim, which our translators render ravens, means the inhabitants of Oreb, near to Bethshan. But in this case the prophet would not have been hid; and this was the reason wherefore the Lord bid him go to Cherith. Besides, if any human beings brought the prophet bread and flesh, so they might also water. But the Scriptures have uniformly held forth this history of Elijah as miraculous, which would not have been the case but in the supposition of his being fed by ravens. The church sets forth the headship and beauties of her husband Christ under the similitude of the fine lustre of the gold, and the rich black shining gloss of the raven. "His head is as the most fine gold; his locks are bushy and black as a raven." (Song of Solomon 5:11) And to those who know Christ, and eye him as the Head of his body the church, he is all this, and infinitely more.