Catch us the little foxes that destroy the vines: for our vineyard hath flourished.
אֶֽחֱזוּ־לָ֙נוּ֙ שֽׁוּעָלִ֔ים שֽׁוּעָלִ֥ים קְטַנִּ֖ים מְחַבְּלִ֣ים כְּרָמִ֑ים וּכְרָמֵ֖ינוּ סְמָדַֽר׃
12 Church Fathers comment on this verse
When God safeguards us as though He envelops us in hidden assistance, we become impervious to unclean spirits. We no longer present a suitable opportunity for them, nor do we serve as prey for wild beasts or a tempting morsel for foxes. This is echoed in the Song of Songs: "Take us the little foxes that spoil the vines." It is also noted that some will be numbered among the foxes (Psalm 62:11).
What does it signify to apprehend? In other terms, to grasp the concept, to expose, to counter, ensuring that the vineyards of the Church remain untarnished. The act of capturing foxes reflects the suppression of heretical teachings through the authority of God's Law and the witness of Holy Scripture, akin to weaving bonds that confine and restrict them. He seized the foxes and tied their tails together, then ignited them (Judges 15:4-5). What do the tails of bound foxes represent? Are not these tails indicative of the rear aspect of false teachers (with their front appearing amiable yet deceitful), ensnared and marked with condemnation that brings forth fire to consume their fruits and the works of those who yield to their temptations?
Desiring to reveal Himself to her, He first directs that the trappers capture the foxes, ensuring the grapes are not obstructed in their ripening. "Take us the foxes," He says, for although small, they can ruin the grapes; and once free from harm, the grapes will flourish. "Take us the little foxes, which destroy the grapes, and our grapes shall ripen." Can we fully grasp the profound elevation in these thoughts? Such astounding Divine majesty is intertwined in these words! The significance of what is communicated displays a remarkable expression of God's power. Regarding the one to whom so much is attributed, this "man-slayer" (Jn. 8:44), "strong in wickedness" (Ps. 51:1), his tongue is exceedingly sharp, "like a razor" (Ps. 51:2) and "with coals of desolation" (Ps.
119:4), he "catches like a lion in his den" (Ps. 9:30), this "great serpent" (Ezek. 29:3), "apostate" (Job. 26:13), and "hell" that expands its mouth (Abb. 2:5), this "ruler of the world of darkness" (Eph. 6:12), who holds "the power of death" (Heb. 2:14). In prophecy, he is referred to as one who defines "the bounds of tongues" he has established, just as the Most High is "according to the number of his angels" (Deut. 32:8), encircling "the universe like a nest" and claiming "like abandoned eggs" (Is. 10:14), who states that He will elevate His "throne" above the clouds and be "like unto the Highest" (Is. 14:14). Many fearful and monstrous descriptions of him are found in the Word, stating that "his ribs are brass, his backbone iron fused" (Job. 40:13), and his insides "as he humbles the stone" (Job 41:6), illustrating the fearsome essence of this being—this formidable leader among countless demonic forces—what title does he receive from the true and sole Power? This "little fox," alongside the army under his dominion, is equally humiliated and is called to catch their captors. This may refer to angelic powers, who solemnly precede the Lord at His coming, heralding the King of glory and declaring to the unknowing, "Who is this King of glory," strong and mighty "in battle" (Ps. 23:8). Moreover, others may interpret these as "ministering spirits, sent to serve those who are to inherit salvation" (Heb. 1:14), while still others may view them as the Apostles, sent to capture these beasts, to whom the Lord proclaimed: "I will make you fishers of men" (Matt. 7:4). For those who secure the souls of the redeemed cannot succeed in capturing humanity unless these beasts—these little foxes—have first been driven from their burrows, that is, from the hearts where they have nested, thus providing a place for the Son of God to rest His head when the fox family has vacated the hearts. Whomever the Word designates as fishers, the command given to them reveals the vast and indescribable power of God. The Word did not instruct them to catch "a wolf from the oak-tree," which has devoured God's grapes, or "a solitary divya" (Psalm 79:14), or a roaring lion, a great whale, or an underwater serpent. Such commands would demonstrate to the fishers the power of their adversaries. Conversely, all earthly authorities—beings with which men contend, along with the origins, powers, and spirits of darkness—are labeled "little foxes," crafty and feeble compared to our might. If you overcome them, your grace will be bestowed. Our grapes represent human nature, and the fruit of life commences with the blossoms of a virtuous existence. Hence, "Take us the little foxes that destroy the grapes: and our grapes shall ripen." The vine—concerning which David states, "Thy wife is like a fruitful vine" (Psalm 127:3)—heard God's edict. Witnessing her liberation from the destruction wrought by these beasts through the power of Him who commanded her, she instantly surrendered herself to her Creator, who had broken down the barriers; for there is no longer any obstruction in the law against union with the One desired.
Prepare your endeavors for the approaching time; arrange all aspects of your life, for this life serves as your field. Equip yourself with an effective tool – the New Testament; surround your possessions with protective barriers – prayer, fasting, and contemplation. With such defenses in place, the adversary, known as the devil, will not trespass. Tend to your soul like a well-cared-for vineyard. Just as vineyard keepers raise their voices and make a commotion to deter intruders, so too should you lift your voice in praise and song, driving away the sly deceiver – the fox, identified in Scripture: "Take us the little foxes," and so forth.
The Lord likens heretics to foxes. By calling to the Gentiles, He expels the heretics, for the fox is cunning and digs a burrow in which it seeks to conceal itself. This is akin to heretics, who, despite their inability to create a stable home, attempt to mislead others through their craftiness. Jacob remains in the household. The heretic, on the other hand, lurks in his den like a sly fox, scheming against the hen, as expressed in the Gospel: How often have I desired to gather your children as a hen gathers her chicks, yet you were unwilling. Behold, your house is left desolate. Hence, it is just that they dwell in their dens, having forfeited the home they once had.
Such a creature cannot be tamed, which is why the apostle advises: A heretic, after a first and second warning, should be avoided. The fox serves no purpose and is not fit for nourishment. Contrary to this, Christ states: My nourishment is to accomplish the will of My Father, who is in heaven. Furthermore, He seeks to rid His vineyard of foxes, declaring, Catch for us the foxes; they devastate the tender vines. This signifies that they harm a small vineyard rather than a large one. Samson tied torches to the tails of foxes and allowed the invaders to harvest, for heretics aim to incinerate others' harvests, barking louder than they speak eloquently—those who reject the Word lack authentic voice. While their mouths are currently unrestrained, they will ultimately be imprisoned, with the torches attached to their tails symbolizing the fire that will consume them in the end.
Let us catch the small foxes that spoil the vineyards. Some earlier interpreters have linked the term 'little ones' to vineyards, but the specific interpretation is not critical. When referring to foxes, He is pointing to those who engage in deceitful practices, corrupting the congregations of the Lord and scheming against them. Thus, it is noted that our vineyards are in blossom. The mention of foxes symbolizes heretics who prey on the souls committed to the Church, employing secretive malice and cleverness to lead away those who are yet to establish a strong foundation in their faith. They ensnare the more naïve with alluring speech, manipulative arguments, and cunning logic, thereby contaminating the vine.
Consequently, He urges those endowed with the gift of teaching to seek them out and dispel their influence through the truth, safeguarding the flourishing grapes from their destruction. Let us catch the little foxes that spoil the vineyards. When these words were heard, He declared:
The bridegroom is now speaking to the souls who are friends of the bride, those on their journey to purification: - "Capture for us the little foxes, the foxes that ruin the vineyards, for our vineyards are flourishing." (Restrain your desires and recognize how they are incited by malevolent spirits—these foxes, despite their deceptive appearance, are ultimately powerless against your free will. Capture them for Us, the Holy Trinity, as they threaten the vineyards—those innocent souls.)
Those labeled as heretics are individuals whom the Lord, with grave concern, described as false Christs and misleading teachers. They commit blasphemy against the Spirit of grace and show disdain for His gifts following grace, and they are condemned to be unpardonable both in this age and in the age to come, representing the most depraved among the Jews and the most ungodly among the Greeks. They speak ill of YAHWEH, the Almighty, dismiss the Son of God, reject the teachings of the Spirit, and either deny or shamelessly feign acceptance of divine truths to provoke God and mislead those around them. They dishonor the holy scriptures, lack understanding of true righteousness, and ravage the Church of God with the cunning of little foxes in a vineyard.
Heretics damage the Church of God much like little foxes plundering a vineyard. We urge you to steer clear of them, so your souls are not ensnared in their traps, as it is written: "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm" (Proverbs 13:21; LXX).
It is significant that he refers to them as foxes, particularly because there are mature foxes as well. The mature ones represent the firstborn of this present age; they are capable of sustaining heretical falsehoods rather than eliminating them. While both types exhibit harmfulness, the severity of their influence differs: heresy lures individuals towards destruction, while paganism aggressively seeks domination. The one who engages in persecution is harsh, whereas the other, though seemingly peaceful, employs deceit. The Lord instructs that the vinedressers—specifically, the leaders of the Church—should address such matters appropriately.
Certainly, this shrewd creature, the fox, symbolizes those who oppose the Church of God, including Jews, Gentiles, and heretics, who constantly conspire against it while openly voicing their intentions. It is concerning these individuals that the church leaders are instructed: "Catch us the foxes that spoil the vineyards" (Song 2:15).
It is clear that the foxes damaging the vineyards represent heretics and those who create divisions within the Church. Through the corrupting influence of false teaching, they devastate the flourishing fields of Christ, which signifies the developing faith of the believers. If only we could fully grasp the destruction they inflict!
When thoughts of pride and greed invade your good deeds, proclaim, “Take away the foxes that ruin the vines” (Song of Songs 2:15); we wish to offer to the Lord a harvest that remains untainted by others.
The cherished one, upon hearing the call of her beloved, sings his praises for his quick arrival. She recounts how he reached her abode and, while painting a picture of the enchanting beauty of the springtime in Palestine, invited her to the mountain gorges and the vineyards so they could revel in his presence and voice. Now, she invites him to come to her, sharing how she sought him in the city's streets during the night, inquiring with the watchmen about his whereabouts, and ultimately, once she found him, brought him to her mother’s house. Once again, the beloved implores her companions not to disrupt her serenity.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS