There is a social media post going around recently that has captured the amazement of many people. In this post is a compilation of pictures showing various sheep and goats climbing up or walking along sheer-faced cliffs upwards of 60 degrees or more where no one else is able to go!
The secret of these animals lies in their feet. They have hooves with a hard and pointed exterior that allows them to get into tiny crevices while the convex-shaped bottom, consisting of soft, rubber pads help the feet stick and conform to the rocky surface. Because of this, they can traverse dizzying ledges like it’s a breeze! The same could be said of similar hoofed animals like deer and elk, who can run straight up a mountain side with no problem (and while I’m hunting them and they’re running away from me!).
You may have never thought of it, but the hooves of these animals have great spiritual significance. For one, they are a reminder of who our God is. For example, the angelic living creatures around the throne of God have symbolic characteristics that point to the infinite and invisible God they surround. A familiar description is that their wings are covered in eyes around and within (Rev. 4:8), a reference to God’s all-seeing omniscience. Another description, though often overlooked, is that their feet are “like a calf’s hoof” (Ezek. 1:8). This is likely a reference to God’s omnipresence – He is all-present. Not even the mountain goats can escape His presence!
But secondly, they are a reminder that when God is with you, and He is in Christ, He gives you the ability to do amazing things! Things you never dreamed you could do and go places you never dreamed of going. He gives you a sure-footed strength and ability over sin, Satan and circumstances that want to pull you down, and allows you to walk on the victorious mountaintops with Him. Habakkuk 3:19 says, “The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places.”
You may never look at that verse or hoofed animals the same again!
Pastor Justin
The secret of these animals lies in their feet. They have hooves with a hard and pointed exterior that allows them to get into tiny crevices while the convex-shaped bottom, consisting of soft, rubber pads help the feet stick and conform to the rocky surface. Because of this, they can traverse dizzying ledges like it’s a breeze! The same could be said of similar hoofed animals like deer and elk, who can run straight up a mountain side with no problem (and while I’m hunting them and they’re running away from me!).
You may have never thought of it, but the hooves of these animals have great spiritual significance. For one, they are a reminder of who our God is. For example, the angelic living creatures around the throne of God have symbolic characteristics that point to the infinite and invisible God they surround. A familiar description is that their wings are covered in eyes around and within (Rev. 4:8), a reference to God’s all-seeing omniscience. Another description, though often overlooked, is that their feet are “like a calf’s hoof” (Ezek. 1:8). This is likely a reference to God’s omnipresence – He is all-present. Not even the mountain goats can escape His presence!
But secondly, they are a reminder that when God is with you, and He is in Christ, He gives you the ability to do amazing things! Things you never dreamed you could do and go places you never dreamed of going. He gives you a sure-footed strength and ability over sin, Satan and circumstances that want to pull you down, and allows you to walk on the victorious mountaintops with Him. Habakkuk 3:19 says, “The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places.”
You may never look at that verse or hoofed animals the same again!
Pastor Justin
RSS Feed