There hasn’t been anything really worth watching on the ‘big screen’ in quite some time. Frankly I would rather watch something in my comfortable living room and pop my own popcorn, but that’s just me being me. When I have finally locked-in on a good movie, program, or series… the last thing I want to hear is what’s about to happen. Spoilers really do spoil it. It takes the fun right out of it, doesn’t it? I like to hear the warning— ‘spoiler alert!’ It helps to know when I should shut my ears and walk away.
Solomon, David’s son and writer of three different Bible books, gave us a much needed spoiler alert. A warning that something could spoil a relationship. In reality, the spoiling can be applied to just about any God-given relationship.
In Song of Solomon 2.15 the speaker says, “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.” Here are some points to focus on first: “catch for us the foxes”; “the little foxes”; “that spoil”. The word for “spoil” is to ‘bind, pervert, corrupt, ultimately ruin’—the vineyard. The “tender” form of grapes means the vineyard is blossoming. Notice he said: “us” and “our”. He’s talking to his beloved whom he’s in a relationship with. Here the “foxes” are symbolic. The entire section is dedicated to Solomon and his bride whom he loves. There’s much imagery here, therefore defining and explaining are of an upmost importance. Solomon’s readers considered foxes to be destructive animals that could destroy valuable vineyards. You can compare this to: Judges 15.4; Psalm 63.10; Ezekiel 13.4. As the Shulammite and her beloved Solomon verbalize their love for each other, we are suddenly confronted with the need to: catch the foxes that spoil the vines. Song of Solomon 2.13 refers to the growing romance between the couple. If the blossoming vineyard is spreading its fragrance, then the foxes of verse 15 represent potential problems that could damage the relationship prior to the marriage (which takes place in chapter 5).
Due to the value of the relationship, Solomon makes this imperative. As we all should! If a relationship is of the upmost importance, then we should be intense in the way we protect it. Thus, we have a command. This is scripture so it’s commanded, not suggested. The command is, in essence: take preventative measures to protect this love from anything that could harm it.
In ancient literature, wild animals were often used to represent problems, specifically problems that could separate lovers, friends, and thwart an operation. For example, Egyptian love songs used crocodiles to picture a threat to romantic love. In Israel, crocodiles were not common, but foxes were. And that’s the point—it’s the common things that you didn’t notice. In the Old Testament, foxes are mentioned in Judges 15. Samson ties torches to 300 foxes and releases them to destroy the grain fields of the Philistines. In Nehemiah 4.3, the evil Tobiah mocks the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall, saying, ‘What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!’ Jesus once used the word picture of a fox in a negative way in speaking of Herod. Jesus said, ‘Go tell that fox, I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal’ (Luke 13.32 paraphrased). Jesus calls Herod a “fox” as a rebuke of that monarch’s crafty and worthless nature.
In Song of Solomon 2.15 the vineyards are “in bloom”. The romance is alive and growing and preparing to bear fruit. There is a need then to round up the “foxes”—all potential threats to the relationship must be removed. The foxes are “little”. It’s the little things, the things overlooked, that often spoil things of value. Maintaining a good relationship takes work. The lovers must address potential dangers to their relationship, and remove all threats to their love. As they pay attention to the “little things,” the lovers will be free to continue to pursue marriage and intimacy.
The care given in this warning is to actively prevent an act of division in their relationship. If only we would do the same in our relationship with our first love—Jesus.
For just a moment think of the little things that could be potentially hindering your love-life with Jesus. What is there that doesn’t seem bad, even cute, but nevertheless can kill? Not to be over dramatic, but it can be anything. If it is the little things, then let’s consider some universally potential suspects. Potential fox number one could be: your cell phone. Need I say more? How much time do you spend on it? Not ‘for God’ either, you justifier, you. Potential fox number two: your job. Yes, God gave it to you, but not so you could make it your number one priority. Potential fox number three: money. He owns that too you know. So why make it the main thing you think about? Potential fox number four: leisure time and activity. When the Lord told us to rest or ‘Sabbath’, it isn’t for us to spend it on us, but Him. He is the one we reflect on when we are to be at ease. After all, we love Him the most right? I would refer you to Matthew 22.37-39. The list can literally go on endlessly, because it could be anything. Foxes are everywhere, and sneaky little things.
One application God has placed on my heart in particular are souls. When we have been blessed, as a church to see souls saved through studies and personal evangelism, we can be so caught up in the euphoria of it all. In those moments we forget there is a job to be done… with tender newbies. These are referred to in scripture as “babes” and “little ones”. Would you put a baby on the front porch with no protection when there are foxes around? I think not. When souls are in bloom, God is bearing fruit as promised (John 15). It does not say to just beware of the foxes; it says to round them up (“catch them”). Solomon also said to get assistance in doing so. This is a team effort. Solomon and the Shulamite bride were both to engage this problem and handle it, before spoiling (“us”, “our”) vine. This is a team effort. In a church setting, it’s everyone’s job to see to this. In relation to Solomon and his bride— everything for them is fresh and new, so he says they are “tender grapes”. Forgive me, but why do so many think ‘someone else’ will do that? If it is a relationship thing, then its the whole body’s job to care “one for another” (1 Corinthians 12.25).
When Jesus spoke of the “Wheat and Tares” in Matthew 13.24-30, He spoke of the relational aspect of the story as well. He said even though someone had intentionally sowed tares (foxes and pretenders) among the wheat (saved), we should take care not to yank the tare before harvest. Why? It will hurt the wheat. Meaning— there are those who will choke out the nutrients of those who would grow, and there are those who are growing side by side. Much prayer and attention should be given to this. There is a great need in churches today for believers to help the tender growth of young wheat. If nothing is done, there will be a choking by the foxes.
The word spoiling is: ’mə·ḥab·bə·lîm’ from the root word ‘kawl-bal’. This is a very unique usage. Spoil is the goal—to ultimately ruin it. The root though is to: bind, pervert, and corrupt. When you bind a vine, it will twist it (pervert) and ultimately squeeze it until the limited supply of nutrients going to it, ruins it. Much like the tares with wheat. It’s ruined or ‘spoiled’ because it can no longer bear fruit. Satan is working very hard, inside and out to make it where this branch of ours can no longer bear fruit, or at least not much. We are in bloom… can you feel it?! We must do as taught— “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”
Remember the definition of the “wiles” of the devil? He produces an ordered warfare. Do not be tricked into thinking it’s a stand-alone small thing. It is not. It is a fox sent directly to you, tailored made. It can be deadly to your spiritual life! Here are the acts of the enemy and his agents: Catch for us the foxes—all of us have a responsibility to stop it; The little foxes—small acts and small statements condemn us all; That bind—blow up grace and reinstate legalism and fear; Pervert and corrupt—back to the world and its death-think and death-speak; Ultimate goal—ruin the vineyard.
We have new tender, or newly fresh grapes. We must prevent spoiling! In John 15.1-6 Jesus Himself is the vine in question. We have a lover of our souls. We are saved due to His love for us. We have a love connection here—the reason we are bound together. Love is our bond, and Satan wants to destroy it. Are you willing to cut off the little things to ensure it’s success? Are you willing to get on your face about it? Is this church of that level of value to you? Is your spiritual life that important to you? What about the spiritual life of the ones you are bound together with (church)?
Catch the foxes!