Song of Songs 2:15
“Catch us the foxes,
the little foxes,
that ruin the vineyards—
for our vineyards are in blossom.”
In the Song of Songs, the Bible presents before us a story of two people in relationship. There are many ways of viewing this book of the Bible, which we won’t go into. What I want to share with you today is taken from chapter 2:15. Some scholars say this verse is an enigma because of the voicing change that occurs in the middle of the invitation by the “Bride.” Also, there are some different ways of translating some of the words that might impact the meaning. However we will follow the NRSV translation and briefly look at the verse.
The “Bride” invites the “Groom” to draw close to her. The two are growing in their love for one another and the seeds of intimacy have sprouted and are finally flowering. Yet, before they move forward, little things arise that are at work to destroy the blossoms of their love. We don’t know exactly what they are but the tenderness, the newness, and the beauty of their flowering relationship is under attack. It requires decisive action.
If we take this metaphorically and apply this to our own lives we are faced with this question:
What are the little things in your life that are attacking the intimacy with Jesus that you are beginning to experience?
We all have them. They work behind the scenes to hinder growth and fruitfulness. They hinder the community of God from progressing as one in the corporate relationship with and surrender to Jesus. They are the little things that we don’t spend time on or notice or think about that always seem to undermine our passion and desire for intimacy with Jesus.
What are yours?
What are mine?
What about in our community of Christ-followers?
As love blossoms in us and in our community that takes us deeper in our walk with Jesus, we must begin to take notice of the “foxes” that try to destroy this. As we learn to walk more in the fullness of Jesus, we have to be more vigilant to catch these “foxes” that want to destroy us and we must destroy them. We, individually, need to take time to discover the “foxes” that plague us, in our personal walk with Jesus, before we talk about or engage the “foxes” that we think plague others in our community.
Practical Steps:
—Put on the full armor of God and take your stand
—Take a quiet moment today and pray Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
—If and when God reveals something to you about the “destroying foxes” in your own life, confess them as wrong, repent of them, renounce them and surrender to Jesus asking for a filling of the Holy Spirit in those areas.
—Ask God to help you understand how these “foxes” got into your life and what their root is. The more you understand how and why you do something, the more you can surrender it, find freedom and fullness of the Holy Spirit in that area of your life.
—Ask God to show you throughout the day when those foxes want to come back and to help you remain vigilant in your surrender and commitment to not let those “foxes” into the garden.
—Share with a trusted prayer partner what foxes you have and ask them to pray for you that you’d remain lovingly faithful in surrender to Jesus.