Catch the Little Foxes

Today's Scripture Song of Songs 2:8-15

Insight

First Kings 4:32 tells us that Solomon’s songs “numbered a thousand and five.” The very first verse of Song of Songs attributes the book to this wisest of kings (1:1). Also called Song of Solomon, the song differs substantially from Solomon’s other wisdom writings (Proverbs and Ecclesiastes). It isn’t a collection of proverbs; it’s a love poem. Solomon extols romantic love, and he does so in poetry so passionate it may cause some to blush (see ch. 7 for a case in point). Perhaps because of this frankness, some early church leaders tried to interpret the song allegorically (and some still do). They see it as a picture of God’s love for His church. That’s a possible interpretation, but the theme of the song is undeniably about sexual love. Importantly, this Song of Songs presents sex as God intended—within the context of a loving marriage between a man and woman. And as we live out what God has intended, we’ll also catch the “little foxes” (2:15) that can destroy us and others.

“It’s the little foxes that spoil the vine,” my grandmother used to say. Then my mom repeated the same thing. And now I say it to my own children. But what does it mean to beware of “the little foxes”?

After planting grapevines, it can take several years before they bear fruit. The vines require a lot of patience, care, watering, pruning, and protection. Foxes—even though small—can cause major damage by destroying the roots, eating the grapes, or chewing the stalk.

In the poetic love story of the Song of Songs, Solomon warns, “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards” (2:15). Some scholars believe this refers to seemingly small problems or behaviors that could threaten the young man and woman’s relationship if left unchecked.

Likewise for our spiritual journey, little things like bitterness (Hebrews 12:15), “unwholesome talk” (Ephesians 4:29), or even harmful influence from others (1 Corinthians 15:33) can slip into our lives and hardly be noticed.

My grandmother understood that little things can cause great harm, and her wisdom spoke volumes to her grandchildren. As we spend time in prayer and reading the Scriptures, the Spirit will help us “catch the little foxes”—the temptations or habits that might spoil our relationship with others and our walk with Christ.