Photo and reflection contributed by J. Nelson Kraybill

Several years ago I drove to Beersheba, southern-most city of biblical Israel. I remembered that after Elijah’s confrontation with prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), Queen Jezebel vowed to kill him. Exhausted and spiritually spent, Elijah fled a day’s journey into the desert south of Beersheba. He lay down under a solitary broom tree, and wanted to die. He slept, but was awakened by an angel who said, “Get up and eat.” In front of Elijah was bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water. With that physical and spiritual nourishment Elijah walked forty days to Mt. Horeb (Sinai) to meet God.

So after visiting Beersheba, I drove “a day’s journey” (about fifteen miles) south looking for Elijah’s broom tree. There it was! Of course, not the same tree. But that became my holy tree, where I recalled times in my life when I was spent, discouraged, or afraid. In such low moments I too have received the bread of angels.

— J. Nelson Kraybill