King Solomon shares in his song between the bride and the bridegroom the following chorus, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil and ruin the vineyards [of love], while our vineyards are in blossom.”1
In ancient times, the bride would live with her family while the bridegroom was with his family, building a future home for them to live in. Usually, their future home would be attached to the groom’s father’s house. While separated, the bride and the groom needed to “catch the little foxes” that would try and spoil their relationship.
Just as the vinedresser would “prop up the branches so the foxes could not reach and feed upon the grapes,”2 likewise, the bride and groom needed to cultivate love by protecting their love. The New Testament refers to this process as “taking our thoughts captive,” which conveys the same principle as “catching the little foxes” so the fruit of love is not destroyed.
“We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” ~2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB
The Apostle Paul encourages us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Christ gives us the strength to love others, take our thoughts captive, and believe in the best of other people. When we follow Christ’s example to cultivate love, our love does not spoil but bears ripe fruit that nourishes others.
“Love is patient, love is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.” ~1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEB
Christ leads us by example, for God is love and calls us to love one another just as He loved us.3
Recommendations
https://strengthwithdignity.com/consume-me-with-your-all-consuming-fire/
3 Ways of Cultivating Love in Your Life – Strength with Dignity
References
1 Song of Solomon 2:15 AMP
2 Wiersbe, Warren B. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: The Complete Old Testament. Published by David C. Cook, 2007, page 1148.
3 1 John 4
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
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Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We receive a one-word prompt and write whatever comes to our mind. The one word prompt this week is spoil.
18 thoughts on “Catch the Foxes that Spoil the Fruit of Love”
Beautiful message today. I shared it. Rhonda
Thank you, Rhonda!
Lisa, while we used the same verse, we went in somewhat different directions. I so appreciated your post and especially this: “When we follow Christ’s example to cultivate love, our love does not spoil but bears ripe fruit that nourishes others.” Praying this to be so in my life with those around me.
Yes, Lord, may Your love flow through us to those around us.
I love love love that song! Sometimes we sing it in church. Blessings on your day! FMF#3
I’m so glad you enjoyed the song, Rachel! Blessings on your day!
This is a great post, Lisa! It is important to pay attention to the little things if we want to love others well.
So true, Lesley! It is the little things that make a big difference in our lives.
Beautiful explanation of the meaning of the passage.
I appreciate your encouragement, Sandra!
you have me wondering if there are foxes I need to catch that might spoil my love with “my people”. FMF17
Awareness with diligence can keep the little foxes away, Annette. 🙂
Do not let love chill and spoil,
for too soon, life is through.
Keep the kettle on the boil
for the one who’s dear to you
and don’t neglect to pour it out
in lassitude or pride.
Don’t learn that love’s what life’s about
when someone close has died,
for tears upon the coffin
are a waste of salt and time,
performance that too often
has been dusted off to mine
that which might well have been given
when everyone involved was livin’.
So true, Andrew! Love is meant to be shared with others.
I love that image of catching the little foxes that spoil the vineyard. I’d never connected it to the idea of taking thoughts captive, but it makes a lot of sense. Thank you.
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Dawn!
I love this Lisa. I didn’t know how the bride and groom lived at first in ancient times. Or how the viner strung the crop up out of reach of the foxes. I can see the message and lesson Solomon was talking about and I get it now.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful lesson with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
Thanks for hosting us, Paula!