Song of Solomon 2:14-15
“For you are my dove, hidden in the split-open rock. It was I who took you and hid you up high in the secret stairway of the sky. Let me see your radiant face and hear your sweet voice. How beautiful your eyes of worship and lovely your voice in prayer. You must catch the troubling foxes, those sly little foxes that hinder our relationship. For they raid our budding vineyard of love to ruin what I’ve planted within you. Will you catch them and remove them for me? We will do it together” Song of Solomon 2:4-15.TpT
As Christians we are all at various levels of loving God. Our love relationship with Christ is “alive”. When something is living it will grow, mature, and evolve – so it is with our living relationship with Christ-always alive and growing.
In Song of Solomon 2, the relationship between the Shepherd, (representing Christ) and the Shulamite maiden (representing God’s people) had evolved into a passionate, affectionate, and loving two- way bond. At this point, in their connected oneness, the maiden’s heart was able to reciprocate and respond to the drawing of her shepherd’s loving heart – she was not afraid of her shepherd’s intimate closeness. Then the loving shepherd gave an important warning to His beloved Shulamite, as He cautioned her about the danger of the troubling foxes, “Lest they spoil our love”. These “little foxes” represent the compromises that are hidden deep in our hearts. These are areas of our lives where we have not yet allowed the healing and victory of Christ to shine into. The foxes keep the fruit of his spirit from growing within us. We need endurance and faithfulness, conquering and obedience to overcome the duality of our inner and outer “self-life “. This isn’t overcoming by works, but requires an on-going relationship with God’s powerful love, mercy, and grace. As Jesus Christ is revealed to our heart, mind, and spirit -the foxes are driven out, and replaced by His better Way, Truth, and Life. Because Christ is the vine and we, His people are the branches; the vineyard is the place where our living connection with Him will bring forth fruit. What fruit of the Spirit will a growing relationship with the “living” Lord produce? The beginning blossom if allowed to mature and escape spoil from the “foxes” will grow into- Love that never fails- Joy that overflows- Peace that subdues- Patience that endures- Kindness in action- A life full of virtue- Faith that prevails- Gentleness of heart- and Strength of spirit.
Like the Shulamite maiden, let us desire to go on with the Lord Jesus, growing in a living relationship that brings forth fruit to His honor and glory!
