Song of Solomon 2:15

“Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.“

Beginning in verse 10a, we saw the Bride’s Beloved as her “Commander.” Then in verse 10b, we saw her Beloved’s “Command.” Verses 11-13, showed us her Beloved’s “Consideration” as to the “Why” of his command to her. In verse 11, he gives the first reason as to why the time is right, the hindrances are gone. In verses 12-13, he continued with the second reason, the signs of life are here; thus it is time to, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.” Next, we saw the Beloved’s Concern for his Love (verse 14). The “Why” is continued here in verse 15, with the Challenge.

“For our vines have tender grapes.” Here the Beloved concludes his attempt to bring his Bride out from hiding. He says: There are enemies that try to spoil the vines; for our vines have tender grapes. Therefore, “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”

First he deals with the enemy, “the foxes, the little foxes.” The Beloved is speaking figuratively, or metaphorically, of that which has the capability of spoiling the vines, even the harvest of the grape. It could be a worm, an insect, or whatever. The thought is “Take us”; this is a joint venture to attack the enemy of the vine. We together are going to destroy the “little foxes”; those things that seem so insignificant to the eye, yet have the power to stop the harvest of the fruit by destroying the tender grape.

This is the last reason given to the Bride for her to come out from her hiding place after the winter and the rains are past, come and gone.

To attack the enemy, we must be one; we must be unified. As one, we identify the enemy and his power; and then attack the enemy; and destroy the enemy to preserve our fruit.

In the spiritual sense, Christ uses this warning to His Bride to show the reality of the fruit being destroyed by the enemy. To keep this from happening, there must be a testimony of the Bride that she is walking in the Power of Christ, as One with Christ.

1. She knows she can do nothing in her own sufficiency; for our Sufficiency is of God (1 Corinthians 3:5).
2. She knows that divided, she cannot stand. But when she is One in Christ, she can do all things (Philippians 4:13).
3. She knows that the Victory is in Christ; and in Him alone (1 John 5:4; Colossians 3:1-25; Romans 8:8-16).
4. She knows she has been chosen and called to bear fruit; and that this fruit remain (or come to harvest) (John 15:15-16).
5. She knows that she has been ordained to fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. But to do this; she must be pruned, and dwell (or abide) in Christ (John 15:1-10).
6. She is aware of “the foxes, the little foxes.” They are things such as works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21); compromise, fellowship with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14-18); the power of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17; Ephesians 2:3; Genesis 3:1-4); unforgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24; 6:15; 18:22, 35); and even family in some cases (Luke 14:26-33). This list is endless. But for the sake of space, this short list will suffice.
7. The Church knows that these “little foxes” must be identified and destroyed. The “How” is the exercise of your spiritual muscle developed in the Valley of Resistance, or of Baca (of tears).

That spiritual muscle is Truth living in you; Christ is The Truth. This development lies in our Surrender to Him; our Submission to His Word; our Obedience to His Word; and our Endurance to His Word in the Power of the Holy Spirit of God.

When we come into agreement with The Truth (or Christ), then we come under His Control in body, soul, and spirit. We have a desire to please Him and to honor Him. We desire to walk by faith and not by sight. We know He is our Strength and without Him we can do nothing (Philippians 4:13, 19). We know He has already defeated the devil (Hebrews 2:14), proven by His Resurrection (Romans 1:4).

Therefore, being raised in Him (Romans 6:4); having been made His Temple (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Ephesians 2:20-22); we are included in His Victory over death (experienced in regeneration) (1 John 3:24; 5:4, 20). We are indwelt by His Power (Romans 8:8-16). And we then can do all things in Christ (Philippians 4:13).

The Challenge is to “Rise up…and come away.” Come out from hiding in the secret places of the stairs; reveal yourself in the comeliness of your countenance, in the sweetness of your voice (your words). Show yourself strong in the Captain of the Hosts, in the Lord of Sabaoth, in the Victorious Lamb of God; for there is work to do. “Take us (Christ and you; you and Christ) the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”

Put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Bring your body and your mind into subjection (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Romans 12:1-2) and do battle in His Power and in His Resurrection Power (1 John 5:4; Philippians 4:13). Crucify the flesh daily, by yielding your members unto righteousness daily (Romans 6:4-12). Take and stay the enemy in the Power of His Might and in His Love (Ephesians 1:19-20). Walk as He walked (1 John 2:4-6; 3:11-24; 4:7-21).

Wake up. School is over.

It is time to reveal yourself in the Garments of Salvation and in the Robes of Righteousness.