Catch the Little Foxes

 From Our Daily Bread...

Read: Song of Songs 2:8-15

"Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyard." (Song of Songs 2:15)

"It's the little foxes that spoil the vine," my grandmother use 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 influences 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. 

- Brent Hackett

What little things do you need to catch before they cause harm?

How can you warn others to watch for "little foxes"?

Dear Father, please help me to be alert for and deal with the little stuff that causes great damage.