In biblical times, people who owned vineyards had to be careful about pests like foxes that would come into their gardens and ruin their produce. If a person didn’t put the proper defense around the vineyard, they could lose much financially. These pests were so smart though: they would come when the owner wasn’t around, and so a wise owner had to take some other type of precaution.
Catch the foxes for us— the little foxes that ruin the vineyards—for our vineyards are in bloom. -Song of Songs 2:15
In this passage, the writer reminded people to catch the foxes—the pests that get in and ruin the vineyard. The implication is that you must be aware of the things that can damage your marriage and keep them out.
Have you ever contemplated what are those pesky things that can sneak into your marriage and cause damage?
- Is it negativity?
- Are your too-busy schedules hurting your marriage?
- Could your constant attention to your children be robbing your spouse of needed love?
- Have sexual problems entered into the marriage?
- Are you dealing with bitterness toward your spouse for something?
These are just some of the foxes that can come in and ruin a marriage.
If you’ve ever dealt with any type of pest invading your home or land, you know that they adapt. Once you set up one defense, they learn how to get in another way.
The same is true with your marriage. You will never be done with the trials and temptations associated with marriage. You will always have new challenges once you deal with the former ones.
The beauty of marriage is that you don’t have to face them alone. Today, talk to your spouse about some of the foxes that are running lose in your marriage.
Which of these are “Little Foxes” that may be impacting your attention to, and investment in, your marriage? What do you need to do to catch them?
- Being consumed with work
- Neglect
- Emotional erosion
- Obsession with children
- Alienation
- Impatience
- Children out of control
- Finances
- Time management
- Other
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
