"Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine" (1 Kings 17:3, NIV).

We enter this 25th day of Teshuvah (Repentance) with the mind of a navi (prophet) as we look at this davar (word) given to me a couple of days ago. As the navi (prophet) Elijah was commanded to "turn eastward" to a brook or ravine known as "Kerith", which means in the Hebrew a 'cut', as in a cut in the rock, so the overcoming believer with his eye on Sukkot must likewise look east and hide himself in that 'rock of ages' cleft especially for him, which Anglican minister Augustus Montague Toplady wrote of in that famous hymn in 1763 that rates as one the Church of England's top Four.

In the Scriptures qedem or qedmah, 'eastward' or the 'east', is always a symbol of blessings and divine salvation. It's an interesting word that also means 'anciently' and 'everlasting', itself coming from a primite word qadam meaning 'to meet someone for help'. When Elijah was commanded to "turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine (Brook)" the inner meaning was that he should go to the 'cut' or 'wound' inflicted on the Rock of Ages, Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) for help, "the Ancient of Days" (Dan.7:9,13) for:

"The Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favour of the qodeshim (saints) of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom" (Dan 7:22, NIV).

Elijah, as a servant of El Elyon (the Most High God), had to be taught the value of the hidden life but leaving whatever position he had and to assume a lowly place. For Elijah, at Kerith, it meant slaking his thirst on a brook until it dried up and on "bread and meat" brought twice daily to him by ravens (1 Ki.16:6). Why ravens? Because they symbolise that which is base, commonplace and repulsive. And yet did not Yahweh make even these qodesh (holy, set-apart)? For the task of sustaining the navi (prophet) in the wilderness, yes, and because Yah loves His creatures, providing food for young ravens (Ps.147:9). They may be unkosher to eat, and be otherwise portrayed as bringers of judgment against mockers (Prov.30:17), but for Elijah they were life-savers. Do not, therefore, disdain that which is base, commonplace and repulsive for Yahweh may well use such to nourish you in the days of your training. And this was training time for Elijah, as it is now for the remnant-elect in our day.

We have a whole flock of ravens that live in a large tree next to our property. I have grown rather fond of them even if the dogs are provoked and bark at them all the time. They're extremely clever.

The message is that this is the beginning of your training, if you decide to stick it out. And when the brook dries up, then it will be time to move on for the next assigment and lesson. Are you contemptuous of the base, commonplace and repulsive? Then go back to the beginning and start your lesson again, until you are grateful, for you must take that low place of solitude which lovers of the world shun.

Far too many believers speak blithly of wanting "power" in the Kingdom. They don't know what they are asking for, for power comes to none that do not first agree to the company of ravens. And if they refuse this company, and still seek power, they will get it alright, but not from Heaven - they will be served a counterfeit to consume upon their fleshy lusts.

Every one of the elect has an appointment at his or her Kerith, a lonely spot eastward where Yahweh is to be found in the first lesson of anyone claiming to be a navi (prophet). Paul said:

"Follow the way of ahavah (love) and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy" (1 Cor.14:1, NIV).

But do not suppose you will obtain it without going to Kerith for a spell. And if you refuse to go into the wilderness to be tended by the base, commonplace and repulsive, then you will get the spirit of prophecy alright, but not the one from Heaven - you will be served a counterfeit to consume upon your fleshy lusts.

The brook dried up "because there had been no rain in the land" (1 Kings 17:7, NIV). I have spoken to you about drought 2½ years ago and reminded you of it again recently. But there's more than one type of drought just as there is more than one type of famine:

"'The days are coming', declares Yahweh-Elohim
'when I will send a famine through the land - '
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the devaraim (words) of Yahweh. Men will stagger from sea to sea
and wander from north to east,
searching for the Davar Yahweh (Word of the LORD),
but they will not find it" (Amos 8:11-12, NIV).

Such a time is now. You will get drought and famine in plenty soon but so also will there be a drought and famine of the Davar Elohim (Word of God). And in that day:

"'The lovely young women and strong young men
will faint because of thirst.
They who swear by the shame of Samaria,
or say, 'As surely as your god lives, O Dan,'
or, 'As surely as the god of Beersheba lives' -
they will fall,
never to rise again" (Amos 8:13-14, NIV).

Have you understood when this will be, and why? The 'when' is in 14 days' time and the 'why' is because is is the end of the Teshuvah (Repentance) season, when Yom haKippurim and the Mishpat (Judgment) comes.

I see in vision a drunken man swaying and singing with slurred speech - he is oblivious to his impending fate (Lk.13:3). Such are those who refuse to make teshuvah (repent) because they will not get into regular communion with Yahweh that they may find out what they must do. Cease your anxious commotion, climb down from your pedistal, and go to your Brook Kerith now.