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