by Keith Sharp
“Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes” (Song of Solomon 2:15).
Song of Solomon is unique among the books of the Old Testament. Since the book deals exclusively with marital love, several of its passages are quite sensual. It is the only book in the Bible which consists entirely of poetry and conversation. The book is filled with Hebrew figures of speech.
Keil & Delitzsch comment on Song of Solomon 2:15: “… the foxes, the little foxes, which might destroy these united vineyards, point to all the great and little enemies and adverse circumstances which threaten to gnaw and destroy love in the blossom.” The Shulamite maiden, the heroine of the book, was concerned that little problems arising in the relationship with her lover/friend/spouse would ruin the relationship, even as little foxes could damage the grape vines at the time they were ready to bear fruit.
Little problems can arise, sometimes simply through thoughtlessness or carelessness, that can irreparably damage a marriage. God made the husband and wife one flesh (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). It is the closest of all earthly relationships, a precious tie, and must not be neglected, taken for granted, or foolishly, carelessly ruined.
The husband and wife have an inviolable claim to one another’s loyalty that must never be compromised (1 Corinthians 7:2-5). In what I view as her wedding vow, the maiden says to her spouse:
“Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy as cruel as the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire,
A most vehement flame” (Song of Solomon 8:6).
The seal upon her spouse’s heart and arm marks him as belonging exclusively to her. He must never give his heart to nor put his arm around another woman. The one human emotion that is as strong as death itself is love. But the jealousy arising therefrom can be as cruel as the heartless grave. It can be as fierce as a raging inferno.
Don’t let little foxes hurt the tender vines of marital love. Husbands and wives, your behavior toward those of the opposite sex should be above suspicion. “Have regard for good things in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17), “… providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Corinthians 8:21).
Don’t put yourself or allow yourself to be put in compromising situations that lead to temptation or even suspicion. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). I’ve heard the terrifying roar of the lion in the bush of Africa. Treat temptation like a ravenous lion. Don’t see how close you can get without being harmed; run away!
I knew a young married woman, a Christian, who went without her husband with a singing group including men away from home to perform. I have no reason to think she committed adultery, but she eventually divorced her husband. Another young married woman, also a Christian, went places with a single, young man. People in the community thought they were boy friend and girl friend. She also eventually divorced. I believe sin preceded and led to each divorce. They were not “providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” They hurt their reputation, hurt the church, and ruined their marriages. “Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.”
