Penny Dropping Time

It took awhile for the proverbial penny to drop or was it the Bosnian Dinara… anyway… drop it did!

This un-kosher flying emissary proved to be just the indigenous gatekeeper I`d unknowingly been seeking all along, unlike the Hoopoe`s mortal counterpart who I`d expected to meet   –  but didn’t.

Yet another reminder that life’s ethereal experiences never seem to pan out quite as you expect them too – not too dissimilar from a lot of biblical stories, where individuals launch out into the unknown – such a comfort to know that we are in very good company when stuff like this happens.

Spurred on by these thoughts – I did a little background digging – look what popped up! NBC News Channel from 2008

It may not be kosher….but the Hoopoe was chosen as Israel’s national bird.

President Shimon Peres declared the ink, black and white-crested bird the winner of a public vote timed to coincide with Israel’s 60th anniversary.

The Hoopoe, or “Duchifat” in Hebrew, was listed among the animals that are detestable and should not be eaten

Leviticus 11:13–19 + Deuteronomy 14:18-20

Not Kosher!? Sounds like a major glitch to me – more investigation required. Hold on a mo… I sense a new thread beginning here… Sparking recollections of at least two biblical storylines both with feathered references.

My first thought was the visionary Elijah

We get a peek into his developing story in 1 Kings 17  where it outlines an interesting situation. Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah:

“Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan.  You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”

So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook`.

Sounds pretty straightforward – until you start to unpack the small print. Imagine yourself in this guys sandals, apart from his unswerving hard wired faith in his heavenly boss – it’s quite a call to trust you`ll be fed twice a day especially by of all birds – ravens!

What was the good Lord thinking about sending his kosher observant boy unkosher servants i.e. Ravens – effectively nullifying the food they bring – or can the Almighty change his own script?

Second thought – Simon Peter`s – curveball vision

In the book of Acts, we read:

Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean

”The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

This extraordinary incident proved to be a real door smasher!

As it was the breath taking picture that the Creator Yahweh used to prepare the Hebrew Apostle Peter to receive his new house guests – who were just about to knock at his door ! Can somebody get that!?

– HEADLINE NEWS –

• The really good news about the Saviour known as Yeshua (Jesus) – is that his message includes us, unclean Gentiles too!
• So let’s hear it for the Hoopoes.

Anyone wanna share a cuppa cawfee and a bagel?