7 things to Learn from the Rock ConiesProverbs 30:24-28

This study will help us to see why the Lord calls the rock conies an exceedingly wise creature. In the past, we had a discussion on ants and learn in many ways how we should consistently follow the pattern of how ants live. In each of these four creatures mentioned in proverbs 30:24-28, the positive side of them represents the new man in each of us.  In the study, I will be using the names interchangeably rock badger, hyrax, or conies. They are all the same name for this animal.

Let's begin...

Proverbs 30:24-28[24]There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

[25]The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

[26]The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

[27]The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

[28]The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

Here is a photo of how these rock conies look.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_hyrax#/media/File%3ARock_hyrax_(Procavia_capensis)_2.jpg

All of these creatures with their wisdom that God has given them represents his body that are died to sin and who now put their hope and trust in Christ by denying/crucifying the passions of our flesh of the old world. This is the old world is within our hearts and minds that must be cleanse first.

Psalms 51:10 KJVCreate in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Matthew 23:26 KJVThou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Before we discuss the Rock badger; as a refresher, one thing we learned about the ants is that they store up food to prepare for the winter months. The winter months are the times when it's hard to search for food because nothing grows during these times. This can be observed in natural during the winter months when most of the plant life die because there is little or not direct sunlight.

Just like the ants understand, when the winter comes, symbolized by our times of trouble, it will take everything we have to get through those hard months. Having a lot stored up make it easier to get through those months. The less we have stored up for the winter makes it extremely hard.

2 Corinthians 9:6 KJVBut this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

When we store up the word of God or his spirit in our hearts, we put all our trust in him with all our hearts and we love our neighbors as ourselves. The bread of life is Christ and these are the treasures we should store up by walking by his faith in the spirit. 

Proverbs 10:5-6 DARBYHe that gathereth in summer is a wise son; he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.  Blessings are upon the head of a righteous man, but the mouth of the wicked covereth violence.

This study will look at the physical creation regarding the rock badger and see how we can apply this to our walk now. The Lord tells us to observe the ants, conies (aka rock badger), locust, and the spider. The Lord always reveals his image through the shadows and parables of the things that are made. His invisible qualities are seen also in the cosmos, farming, the fish is the seas, and all of creation so that we are all truly without excuse.

Romans 1:20 KJVFor the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

We will look at what the scriptures say about these small creatures of the world, then we will compare spiritual with spiritual to see how we can learn from this rock badger.  Today, what we hope to learn is getting wisdom and then applying it to our lives by sowing to the spirit. These things will help us if we believe and do them. They are truly healing for us now.

1 Corinthians 2:13 KJVWhich things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Proverbs 4:7 DARBYThe beginning of wisdom is, Get wisdom; and with all thy getting get intelligence.

Here are 7 wise things we can learn and apply from this small creature known as the rock badger. We will go through each one by one.

1. They take refuge in the rocks2. A weak and feeble creature3. Chew on the cud4. They spend a lot of time sun-bathing5. Live as one body, many members6. The whole family keeps a lookout for enemies7. Able to adapt and be content

Take their Refugee in the rocks/mountain

According to the scriptures and other outside research from online sources, the rock Badgers also called Hyraxes are preyed upon by leopards, pythons, large birds, and many other wild animals. They protect themselves from smaller predators by biting, but escaping to hiding places among the rocks is their best defense.

If we noticed that last statement, their best defense to predators is to hide among the rocks from them. This is extremely wise to do and has a lot of spiritual significance. What this tells us in the spirit is that we must also take our refuge in the rock of Christ in the high mountain where it is exalted on high. 

Psalms 104:18 KJVThe high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies [Rock Badgers].

Psalms 62:7 KJVIn God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

The predators are the fowls of the air that are always trying to attack us for trusting in Christ because we no longer follow the desire of the flesh. It is these fowls and predators, symbolized by the devil, that is always trying to snatch the word of Christ from our hearts. These schemes

to draw us away from following Christ include the lust of the flesh and causing extremely troubles to make us turn away. This is how our faith is tried and tested. Brethren with any one ounce of faith we have, we must not let these things deter us because Christ has already overcome.

Mark 4:16-19 KJVAnd these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;   And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.   And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

John 16:33 KJVThese things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

We have to remember that these are the ways the evil one turns us away from following Christ. We take our refuge in him by knowing the devil schemes and no longer following those desires of the flesh. Like the Rock badger, let us take our refuge in the Rock. The Lord is merciful to help us do this because he is our refuge in times of trouble.

Ephesians 2:2-6 KJVWherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Psalms 9:9 KJVThe Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

A People weak not mighty

Just like the rock badger who is weak and small, the Lord has chosen a weak and small people to serve him. The scriptures say not many of us were high born nor mighty.  The Lord has chosen the foolish things of the world to despise the wise. Just like the Lord has chosen to call the conies (rock badger) who are weak in nature to be exceedingly wise, he has chosen many of you also to despise the wise of this world.

Proverbs 30:26[26]The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

1 Corinthians 1:25-29 KJVBecause the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many

mighty, not many noble, are called:  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

The reason our Lord chooses the weak things of this world is that so no flesh can boast in his presence.  We all were once a proud people wise in our own eyes, but because of God's mercies, he has humbled us and made us poor to this world, but rich in faith.   

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 kjv[9]And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.[10]Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

James 2:5 kjv[5]Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

While this truth is manifested outwardly in each of us being the least important in this physical world, what this means in the spirit is that the Lord has chosen the poor humble spirit of christ within each of you to despise the rich old proud man that once ruled our hearts. 

Ephesians 4:17-19, 21-24 KJVAThis I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Chews the cudIn the scriptures, it tells us that the rock badger cheweth on the cud. Online sources also confirm that rock badger has bacteria-laden three-chambered stomach lets it digest leaves and grasses, but it will also eat birds’ eggs, lizards and insects. Interesting, the babies aren’t born with the bacteria they need for digestion, so they eat the poo of adult hyraxes.

Leviticus 11:5 KJVAnd the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

We know that chewing helps break down the food we eat to make it easier to digest. In the spirit, chewing food is meditating on Christ's laws and judgements day and night. This helps us to grow stronger and mature as we learn more from all the trials the Lord gives us. Suffering is also a part of learning.

1 Timothy 4:13-16 KJVTill I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  Neglect, not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.  Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Joshua 1:8[8]This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

It is nothing that we experienced now that our lord himself did not experience. He is able to help us even now.

Hebrews 5:7-9 KJVWho in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;  Though he was a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

They Love the light from the sun

Rock badger spends several hours sunbathing. They love being in the sunlight. The sunlight in its positive application typifies the righteousness of Christ that shines in our hearts. This is the true light that helps us walk in love.

2 Corinthians 4:6 KJVAFor God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Spiritually, this light helps us to see the enemies coming from afar. The light also reveals the evil in our own hearts so it can be reproved.

John 3:20 KJVFor every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

1 John 2:10 KJVHe that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him

To apply this wisdom to our hearts we should always desire to seek the light and stay in the light because we are the children of the light.This helps us to stay humble and also helps us be compassionate to others as God is to us.

Ephesians 5:8 KJVAFor ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light;

Lived as one body, many members

According to online research, these mammals live in colonies of up to 50 individuals. They’ll sleep together, look for food together and even raise their babies together (who then all play together).  This is also what the Lord desires of his body. To also share and help one another in wisdom and love. We all suffer together and we all rejoice together.

Acts 2:43-47 KJVAAnd fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men , as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

1 Corinthians 12:26 DARBYAnd if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it ; and if one member be glorified, all the members rejoice with it .

As the body of Christ, we are many members with different functions. The difference in function is not for the purpose of boasting but for each other to supply the needs of the one body. 

1 Corinthians 3:3-7 KJVFor ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

To apply this wisdom now, if one of you have the gift of encouraging, please continue to encourage others. If your gift is showing gratitude, please continue to do so. If your gift of prophesying or speaking in tongues, do not neglect your gifts. The whole body needs all these things to function as one. 

Romans 12:3-13 KJVAFor I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.   Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

The whole family keeps a lookout for enemies

The rock conies are also said to eat quickly with the family group facing out from a circle to watch for potential predators, feeding on grasses, herbage, leaves, fruit, insects, lizards and birds' eggs. After biting off a mouthful of grass or leaves, the hyrax looks up and cautiously checks the vicinity. 

This is important to us as the body of Christ. The Lord wants us all to remain sober and watchful for one another. If we are not good watchmen in our homes then thieves can break in hurt us our our children who are weak.

1 Peter 5:8-9 KJVBe sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-8 KJVYe are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Christ is the good Shepherd in us all; therefore, with his spirit we must be constantly looking out for the spirit of the wolf in sheep's clothing. If this spirit manifests in any of us, we are too gentle correct one another in love. 

John 10:11-12 KJVI am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.   But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

2 Timothy 2:23-26 KJVBut foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Able to adapt and be content

And finally, the rock badger is very adaptable. It is said, in East Africa, they live at sea level and up to altitudes of over 14,000 feet and in habitats ranging from dry savanna to dense rainforest to cold Afro-alpine moorland. 

In the spirit, we should learn to have godliness with great contentment because we know and trust in the amazing outcome that has been revealed to us.  We live in times that are evil and in a body of sin the despises the truth of Christ. 

Ephesians 5:14-17 KJVAWherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

What we are to learn from this is that we are to be content with every situation that we are in and never forget, nothing can separate us from his love. While these things are hard to do in these times, keeping our heart on the things above if the key to redeeming the time.

Philippians 4:11-13 KJVNot that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

1 Timothy 6:6-11 KJVBut godliness with contentment is a great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

If times get hard, remember and convict your hearts that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

Romans 8:38 KJVAFor I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

I pray that we can learn from the creation of rock conies and apply these things now more to help us.

Romans 13:11 KJVAnd that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.