I Kings 4:30 records “Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt” and credited with writing the book of Song of Solomon, (SS). In chapter 2 vs. 15 he wrote that it is “The little foxes that spoil the vines.” His words remind me of a story I read of a hunter who shot a fox from a distance, then when he approached the wounded animal, it jumped up on him. While he was scraping with the fox, its paw somehow hit the trigger of the rifle, and the bullet shot the man in the leg. The man’s friend who was nearby witnessed the going’s on and called for an ambulance for him to be transported to the hospital. The last that was seen of the fox was when it was running away, escaping the whole scene!
Reading the entire 2nd chapter of SS, the story behind Solomon’s words are symbolic picturing Israel as God’s engaged bride, and for us in the church today as the bride of Christ. For us in the church, a fence or a wall is better at keeping out the big foxes, but the trouble often comes with the little ones. Those little fellows sneak through, and are often the ones that destroy the grapes and tear up the young vines. This message is for us today, “little foxes” represent both subtle sins and ‘Fox-like’ men who in the last days will be part of end times spreading false accounts of the Bible.
In John 10:12 Jesus refers to as a “hireling…who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, see the world coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.” “Barna reports of these being … in half the country’s Protestant pastors – only 51% – have a biblical worldview.” (Barna.org) All attending church today should desire to go to learn about God and the truth of the Bible, however, the modern picture, almost 50% of pastors are little more than a false teacher simply passing out Kool-Aid. This then leaves those who attend are coming while only hearing a ‘feel-good-message’. There’s much, much more to God’s Word than that! God is a Holy God and is looking for a holy people!
The Apostle Paul warns with words to Timothy recorded in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. In case you may not have your Bible at this moment, look with me from the NLT translation at what Paul had to say about this day you and I are in. “But you need to be aware that in the final days the culture of society will become extremely fierce. People will be self-centered lovers of themselves and obsessed with money. They will boast of great things as they strut around in their arrogant pride and mock all that is right. They will ignore their own families. They will be ungrateful and ungodly. They will become addicted to hateful and malicious slander. Slaves to their desires, they will be ferocious, belligerent haters of what is good and right. With brutal treachery, they will act without restraint, bigoted and wrapped in clouds of their conceit. They will find their delight in the pleasures of this world more than the pleasure of the loving God. They may pretend to have a respect for God, but in reality, they want nothing to do with God’s power. Stay away from people like these!” (Passion version)
Paul tells us these shortcomings will increase in intensity as the final days approach. His list is as if it were being penned this very day and time you are reading this CRA Moment. The world is filled with difficulties, the likes of which have never been known in the history of mankind, and to make clear the urgency of this hour, the Holy Spirit was committed to making sure we understand what will be occurring at the end of the age. As we pause for a moment, we shouldn’t be shocked to consider the events that have shaken the world in the last few years because of his warning. We are living in a generation that faces world threats no other generation has ever known. A time marked by the word “perilous.”
What is it we can be doing as we face these times? Is there an antidote? With confidence I say yes! And it begins in a big way by what our study sessions with the local CRA team has been over past weeks, and that is Paul’s admonition in Romans 12. He writes, “…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Don’t miss his next words! “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
David gave directions in words of Psalm 119: 9 &10 of how a ‘changed life’ takes place. “Only by living in the word of God and walking in its truth…and not straying from your directions!” as he then penned and continued on in following verses; “Lord, don’t allow me to make a mess of my life.” “Give me revelation about the meaning of your ways so I can enjoy the reward of following them fully. Give me an understanding heart so that I can passionately know and obey your truth. Guide me into the paths that please you…cause my heart to bow before your words of wisdom and not to the wealth of this world.” Beware of “the little foxes!”
Blessings, Psalm 20:7 Dale & Jeannie