The conies are in size and shape much like the rabbit, though they do not belong to the rabbit family. They cannot dig or burrow, so they seek a home ready-made for them. Since they are “a feeble folk” and cannot defend themselves against their enemies, they need a very safe home; so they dwell in clefts and holes in the hard, strong rocks where nothing can touch them.
They have many enemies, but chiefly hawks and eagles. When a hawk catches sight of little coney sitting in his door in the sunshine, he flies swiftly until he gets just over him, and then suddenly dives down in hopes of catching the little animal in his strong claws.
But the sun in the heavens warns the little coney of his danger, and unless he is very heedless or has strayed away from the rock, he can usually escape. When the hawk swoops down, he always hovers for a moment just overhead to make sure of his aim, and the bright sunlight throws his dark shadow on the ground. This warns the coney, unless he has his eyes shut, and knowing what that shadow means he dives into his hole and is safe.
We can just imagine the little coney peeping out at his enemy knowing that he cannot get at him. How snug and safe he must feel and how glad he is to be warned by the sunlight overhead to escape from danger before it is too late.
The Word of God warns us all to flee from the wrath to come. It is the light “that shines in the darkness.” It tells of coming judgment for all who refuse to flee to the Lord Jesus for safety. It throws a dark shadow of coming judgment on the oath of the sinner (2 Thess. 1:99Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:9)), so that unless he just shuts his eyes, he cannot help seeing it. But how sad to think of so many who shut their eyes and won’t see it. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Heb. 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3).
If when he saw the hawk coming the coney tried to dig a hole for himself in the ground, the hawk would have him in a moment. But he doesn’t stop to do anything but just dart at once into the rock, which is ready and waiting to receive him. There are some boys and girls, and older folks too, who knowing that they are sinners and that judgment is coming, try to make a way of escape for themselves. Alas, while they are trying, sometimes death overtakes them and then they are lost forever. But God has a place of safety for all who will avail themselves of it, and that is in the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, who died upon the cross. Whosoever will believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)).
ML-08/05/1973