Our family has been very privileged to live in beautiful Northwest Montana and over several decades to enjoy spending time together exploring God’s amazing creation.  We chose to spend most of our vacation time hiking in the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness and have many fond memories (and a few not so fond!) of our time together hiking the mountain trails (and occasionally making our own) and camping at mountain lakes, watching the sun come up and reflect off the rock walls of the mountains behind the lakes–what an amazing experience! I love the quote from Theodor Seuse Geisel (a.k.a “Dr. Zeus”): “You’ll never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”  Well, as we move into our “golden years” (not sure why they are called that?), we now have lots of memories from those special moments in the past.

     It is a treat to get to see some of God’s creatures in the high country that you don’t see down in the valley. On several of our outings we had the privilege of seeing one of His special little creations called pika  (also known as “rock rabbits” or “coney”).   They are small, mountain-dwelling mammals related to rabbits and hares and are known for their high pitched calls and for gathering and storing vegetation in “haystacks” for survival in the winter. Since they do not hibernate, they need a stash for winter when the mountains are covered by many feet of snow. They are only 7-8 inches long, with big round ears but no visible tail. Their thick brown, black and gray coat of fur keeps them warm in the winter and camouflages them among the rocks in the summer. They are herbivores and love grasses, weeds, and the wild flowers that grow at high elevations. 

     Solomon, in his wisdom book of Proverbs, includes the “rock rabbit” in his list of four small creatures common in Israel that are “exceedingly wise” despite their small size (Prov. 30:24-28). He lists “ants” that embody disciplined planning and hard work to provide for their future (v. 25 cf. 6:6-8), “rock rabbits” which, though weak and defenseless, wisely make their home high in the rocks where they are safe from predators  (v. 26), “locusts” which, though lacking a leader, remain unified and organized, making them  formidable despite their size (v. 27 cf Joel 2:7),  and “lizards” (probably geckos) which can easily climb walls and ceilings, and though small and vulnerable enough to be captured in one’s hands, yet because of their physical skill and tenacity can even gain access to kings’ palaces (v. 28). 

     The word Solomon uses in Pr. 30:26 for “rock rabbits” is shaphan (shaw-fawn’), and most likely refers to a species of rabbit-size mammals that live and hide in the rocks, such as are often spotted by tourists on the rock cliffs about David’s hideout at Engedi near the Dead Sea. They are also called “coney,” “hyax,” or “rock badgers.” The Today In the Word devotional from Moody has as its theme this month, “Animals in the Bible,” and included the “Coney” on Saturday, June 28.  They stressed how the little “rock rabbit” is lacking in physical strength and speed to enable it to escape from predators and yet it “survives and thrives in the rugged terrain by making its home among the rocks.”

     Since we who follow Jesus are referred to in Scripture as “the sheep of His pasture” (Psa. 100:3b), we can easily relate to the “rock rabbit” of Prov. 30:26. We, like sheep, are weak and helpless and need of the guidance and  protection of our “Good Shepherd” who laid down His life for the sheep (Jn. 10:11). “Wisdom often involves recognizing our limitations and seeking protection and security in a place of strength” (a refuge). The pika understands its vulnerability and strategically uses the natural fortresses provided by its home in the rocks. The Psalmist David wrote: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies” (Psa. 18:1,2). “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken” (Psa. 62:6 cf Psa. 89:26). 

     We are no match for Satan and his evil forces. But, as believers, we happen to be indwelled, through the Holy Spirit, by Jesus, the “rock of our salvation.”  He is our refuge from the predators in this world. “Not that we are adequate in ourselves, to think anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God” (II Cor. 3:5), “…because greater is He (Christ) who is in you than he (Satan) who is in the world” (I Jn. 4:4).  That is why, as Jesus pointed out in a parable, we are to build our house (our life) on the rock, not on the sand (Mt. 7:26-27). 

      Thank you, Lord, for the practical life lessons we can learn from observing your creation and your creatures (Job 12:7), even little “rock rabbits”!

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N

     “The LORD lives, and blessed by my rock; and exalted be God, the rock of my salvation” (II Sam. 22:47).