Yiredu

Yiredu-Are we overlooking a gift of communication from the Holy Spirit?

In the photo above (taken from my last hiking trip), my grandson's face lit up with the glory of God when that little chipmunk gently ate from his hand unafraid.  He communicated a “knowing” of trust to Judah, perhaps even that God, too, trusted him and that he should not fear coming close to Him.

How does God speak to us? Scripture tells us that God speaks through His Son (Hebrews 1:1). This means that everything Jesus said and did was the Father communicating with us. God is always speaking, but often we fail to hear Him. Then, ironically, we complain that He doesn't speak or that we can't hear His voice. We may expect God to only speak audibly—though that does happen, it's rare. More often, He speaks to us in other ways.  He speaks constantly. The problem is, we rarely quiet ourselves enough to hear His voice.

 Let me list a few of the ways He speaks to us.

• Through His Word-the most common.
• Our thoughts, dreams, visions, and our sanctified imagination.
• Through a sense of peace; an inner knowing.
• Through others speaking into our lives. Often with prophetic words or words of knowledge

Gen 1:28 
Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." 

Yiredu-A refreshing way to hear His voice

Today, I want to address a communication that I believe has been lost to the church.  The Hebrew word “yiredu” is translated in most bibles as “dominion, to subdue, rule over, to tread like in a winepress”.  Originally, Hebrew was not written with the vowel dots.  This would make this word mean something different.  Instead of meaning to rule over, it means to lower oneself.   Instead of being instructed to dominate and subdue, we are to lower ourselves to them and listen.

We are the “shields of the earth” (Ps. 47:9). To be a shield means we are the guardians and protectors.  Many scriptures criticize those who mistreat animals, viewing them as foolish, while those who care for their animals are seen as wise and honorable.

There are numerous stories of rabbis, sages, early church mystics, and Franciscan monks who have communicated with animals through yiredu. Lowering themselves from their lofty position, to listen to the message of the lowly animals.  Also, in reverse the animals understand them. Not necessarily through an audible voice but a knowing—a communication that transcends our five senses. 

The following is a story about St. Anthony a Franciscan monk. (see photo(L) above)

St. Anthony preached in the city Rimini for many days without results.  The people were very hard hearted and had no interest in the gospel.  Frustrated, St. Anthony went to the river. “Hear the word of God, you fishes of the sea and of the river, since the infidel heretics refuse to hear it.” When he had said this, there came to him on the riverbank so vast a multitude of fishes... All of them held their heads out of the water and gazed attentively on the face of St. Anthony, remaining there in great peace and gentleness of order. The longer St. Anthony preached, the more did the multitude of fish increase. The people of the city began to run there to see the miracle this marvelous and clear, they were pricked in their hearts, and all cast themselves at the feet of St. Anthony to hear his words. W. Heywood, The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi. Arrow Books Ltd (1998).

It is not known exactly how the communication is achieved but it is likely through a “knowing”.  The animals came two by two to Noah’s ark.  They knew.   Holy Spirit speaks to us often that way as well. Not through literal words but we know within our inner man.   This method of communication is often dismissed. 

God speaks to us through creation (Ps. 19).  Rom. 1:20 tells us that people are without excuse because His eternal power and divine nature is revealed through His creation.  Are we dismissing the value of yiredu by not listening to creatures who are considered below us?
 

Here are few examples from the bible of animals communicating with man.

• The serpent speaks to Eve. She does not act as if an animal communicating with her is unusual.
• Balaam's donkey--again he also does not act as if this is unusual.
• Elijah was brought food by the ravens. (1 Kings 17:6)
• Peter is brought a coin by a fish.(Mat.17:27)

The Talmud teaches that when a little bird lands near you and starts to sing and dance, he reminds you that the Holy Spirit is very near to your heart.  Stop and listen to what the Holy Spirit is trying to say to you. (see (R) photo)

Even Job tells us to yiredu.

Job 12:7 
"But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; 8  Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you. 

Are you ready to ask and listen?
Pray:  Lord, teach me the way of Yiredu—to listen.  Teach me to be a guardian, not a conqueror; to be tender, not forceful. Let even the animals and the earth speak to me of Your glory. I long to hear You, in every way You choose to speak.   

Help me not to overlook Your beautiful creation, which longs to speak on Your behalf. Teach me to embody trust, so that Your creatures feel safe in my presence and are free to reveal glimpses of Your glory." Amen