The Church - Learning from the Rock Hyrax
Psalm 30:24, 26
24Four things are small on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise:
26The (AG)shephanim are not mighty people, Yet they make their houses in the rocks;
- God allows us to glean lessons from His creation
- A few key words about these verses
- Shephanim is the modern day Rock Hyrax
- Rock Hyrax is small, but exceedingly wise
- Rock Hyraxes are not a mighty people, but build their houses in the rocks
- Rock Hyrax is medium sized mammal around 4kg
- Resembles guinea pig but closer to elephants as they have 2 incisors and
- Rock Hyrax likes to dwell in cliffs, they have soft padded feet that allows them to climb on rocky terrain in the cliffs
- They live in natural rock crevices and dens, their claws are not very conducive to digging homes on their own, so they dwell in pre-existing holes and dig out the dirt
- They live in groups of around 50, usually one male 20 females and the young
- They spend 95% of their time resting
- They spend much of that time sun-bathing to help them regulate their body temperature
- They don’t regulate body temperature well, so they depend on their dens, the sun, and on another to keep warm
- They have sentries (watchmen) that take a high vantage point to warn of dangers
- When they eat, they feed in groups and their heads face outward from the group, allowing them to notice predators.
- In Israel, the rock hyrax is rarely preyed on by terrestrial predators due to the system of sentries and their reliable refuges.
- Rock Hyraxes are very social, and have 21 different vocalizations between howls, squeaks, and gruns.
- They tend to be very noisy as they communicate with each other
Lessons learned
- Live in high places (seated with Christ in the Heavenlies) Eph. 2:6
- Reliance on other members for warmth and safety, alone they are very weak 1 Thes. 5:11
- Reliance on the Lord, our Sun to provide light and heat John 8:12, Psalm 119:105
- Sentries in the Body, Christ is our ultimate sentry Acts 20:28, 1 John 2:13
- Fellowship Phil 2:1, 1 John 1:3
- Alert through the Spirit Acts 20:31, Luke 21:36
- Ought to rest in the finished work of the Lord
- Abide in Christ John 15
- Hide in the cleft of the Rock Matthew 16:13, 18
- Upon this Rock I will build my Church