"The Little Foxes"

“The Little Foxes”

The story of hens and their fox visitor described in the previous article triggered some other thoughts about foxes. Our New Hampshire condo’s back deck faced a wooded area. One day when Karen and I were feeling down for some reason I looked out and saw a red fox among the trees which reminded us of the variety of God’s creation (Karen calls an event like this a “God hug”). But these beautiful animals can be dangerous as evidenced by the screeching of a mallard duck when it was caught for dinner. And occasionally we’re told that one with rabies has been discovered so extra caution is advised.

Foxes are mentioned eight times in Scripture. Of these occurrences seven are literal and one symbolic: Jesus’ description of Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, as a “fox” in Luke 13:32 because of his penchant for treachery. He ruled Galilee and Peraea as a puppet of Rome from 4BC to 39AD, was responsible for the execution of John the Baptist and had a hand in the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion. Other incidents in his long reign show his cunning and crafty nature.

An obscure passage uses these wild canines to give a warning. In Song of Solomon 2:15 we read, “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards…that are in bloom.” (Emphasis added). The Hebrew word carries the idea of the youngest or most insignificant. So it wasn’t the adult animals which were destroying the blossoming grapevines—rather it was the smaller and less mature ones.

During my pastoral years I brought a message on this verse (actually I preached it in all four of my churches with appropriate adaptations and updates). My main point was that the “major” sins don’t give us as much trouble as do the more “subtle” ones because they can sneak up on us and escape our notice until we’ve been impacted by them (“…a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.”—Ecclesiastes 10:1). Some of the “little foxes” that can cause big problems are criticizing others (“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”—Matthew 7:1), complaining over our lot in life (“Do everything without complaining or arguing.”—Philippians 2:14), pride (“…The Lord hates…a proud look….”—Proverbs 6:16-17), gossip (“Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.”—Proverbs 26:20, NLT) and spiritual complacency (“{People’s} ways seem right to {them}, but the Lord weighs the heart.”—Proverbs 21:2).

We can avoid the “elephant” sins fairly easily but the “little foxes” must be unmasked and dealt with (“{Those} who conceal {their} sins {do} not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”—Proverbs 28:13). And always remember, “{God} forgives all my sins….” (Psalm 103:3, emphasis added)—and yours too!

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan