The Raven and the Dove

After many days inside the ark, Noah looked out and started to see the tops of mountains. It was the first sight of land in over 150 days. Thrilled, Noah sent a Raven out. The bird traveled the land, never returning to report its discoveries. Afterwards, Noah sent a Dove, who returned after having found nowhere to refuge. Eventually, that same dove was sent out again, this time returning with an olive branch. On his third expedition, the dove found a place to call home and didn’t return again.

  Ravens have an interesting role in biblical history. The raven is released by Noah to see the desolation of the land. In Elijah’s day, ravens were sent to him to keep him nourished during a time of famine. Christ used ravens as an example of the lowest creatures being taken care of by God.

“Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?”

  Ravens have mixed symbolism. They can represent wisdom, knowledge, transformation, and death. Biblically, they are seen as unclean and symbolize God’s ability to use unclean vessels to fulfill His righteous works. This is represented by their feeding of Elijah, the prophet. Yet, in other cultures, they are seen as delivering heavenly messages. I can’t help wonder if Noah, growing up in a culture with many beliefs, chose a raven so if anyone was still out there they would see the raven as a message God had fulfilled his word. Furthermore, the raven not returning to Noah could be the reason it status among the jews became so low.

The dove is seen universally as a symbol of peace, purity, hope, and new beginnings. Not only was it the one to pioneer Noah to the world again, it also represented the Spirit of God at Christ’s baptism.

“I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove,”

In none a non-Christian format doves represent love, fertility, and the feminine aspects of the Divine. It’s interesting because I have always seen the spirit as the most motherly of the God head. It’s the Spirit that speaks peace to each soul. The Spirit is a still small voice of comfort.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The raven is a lot like the prodigal son. You could say the prodigal son left his father’s house and went to and fro until the lands were all dried up. The dove is symbolic of the loving father who welcomed the son back, allowing him to live the rest of his days in peace. We are all of us doves and ravens. God has sent us out of the protection of his ark to brave the world. Some of us return often, others travel too and fro. All of us have an ark ready for our return, and no matter who we are, we are welcome home.