Solomon’s Remez
“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, while our vineyards are in blossom.” Song of Songs 2:15 NASB
Catch the foxes – No book of the Bible, except perhaps Revelation, has been the subject of more theological speculation than the Song of Songs. Through the ages both Jewish and Christian commentators have used this poetry to develop elaborate allegories and mystical adventures. Almost no one wants to talk about the erotic nature of the text. Nevertheless, occasionally we discover value in these allegorical departures. Such is the case with one of the most unusual passages in this most unusual book. What does catching foxes have to do with anything sexual or, for that matter, anything religious?
Michael Fishbane describes the remez connected to this particular verse:
The Beloved speaks to the soul as to a partner, telling it to proceed with firmness and seize those elements of doubt that may “ruin the vineyards” it has so arduously cultivated (Immanuel*). Surely the soul remembers its earlier determination to care for itself (deemed a vineyard, 1:6). So perhaps there is a realization that something more profound is involved; namely, that God is implicated in the spiritual development of the human being. . . This suggests that the human soul is not simply engaged in a private spiritual exercise, but that its work somehow engages the divine reality. This realization affects the spiritual task as a whole. The Beloved announces that the soul is not alone—for the soul also belongs to God.[1]
It might be that the Hebrew phrase ‘ehezu-la nu shualim is theological code for the call of the Spirit to the human soul. Only someone with the proper cipher could know. But Fishbane’s remark about the remez is something we all need to consider. We are not alone! How lovely are those words! How often we think that the trials we endure on the road to spiritual awareness are solitary confinement in the prison of life. We forget that God is intimately involved in all the steps toward reconciliation and restoration. We suffer from betrayal like Joseph suffered. We build protective walls like Isaac. We try to take control like Jacob. We listen to seductive advice like Havvah. We start well but end badly like Solomon. We have blood on our hands like David. But in it all, in every twist and turn, every up and down, we are not alone. YHVH’s invisible hand is at work bringing about His purposes, consoling our sorrows, beckoning us to follow, wooing us with impossible love. Yes, we have little foxes to catch. There is work to be done, but at the end we can say,
“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
Topical Index: Song of Songs 2:15, catch, ‘ahaz, Genesis 50:20, remez
[1] Michael Fishbane, The JPS Bible Commentary: Song of Songs, p 77.
Sometimes I need to listen to my own words a second time. Such is the case today. I’m glad to read this even though I wrote it.
I’m also glad!
I think we perceive that we are alone to the extent that we are, in fact, fractured in all our dimensions. That intolerable sense of abandonment is essential for it drives us so that we cannot rest until we rest in Him. Until then, how do we survive without the love that is as essential to our existence as breath or bread?
In Old Testament and New, I find Messiah referenced as our Bread. What does that mean? And what does it mean that His Body was bruised for my healing? Why am I suffering? I suffer because I am fractured and alone. In that place, without love, I would die if Someone was not standing in that gap for me; holding that life-sucking black hole of separation between myself and God, myself and others until it is filled. Until then, He holds my place for me. His Body interposes between me and my own disaster. Grace and mercy are expensive. They are costing Someone right now. My falling short is costing Someone a beating right now, and for me to be healed and restored to fellowship, Someone is going to have to absorb that cost – that fracture with the Throne. This is not a matter of working my way into favor: this is a matter of getting me up to the starting line so that I can even try! I think a whole lot happened at that cross that we cannot possibly know.
I agree with all of this, and I would say the same thing if “Someone” were not capitalized. We need others who don’t carry the royal title just as much (maybe even more) than we need to King. We need someone (small s) to touch us and tell us we matter.
How I need today to hold on to this….desperately….thanks for the push
Thanks Skip for the reminder today, that we are not alone no matter what the trials that we are going through, his outstretched arms are always there ,we just have to reach out and take hold.
I am reflecting this morning on a high school buddy that cared for his wife for fifteen years. A wife who suffered dementia and who literally was losing her mind. Who cared for her the last four years when she could not move or talk. Who chose to do this at home rather then place her in an institution. Fifteen years of chasing foxes to protect a vineyard that would never bare fruit. More courage then I think I could muster. But who knows, I have never been challenged that way. It is good to know that we are not alone, to be reminded as we forget so quickly, distracted by the “windmills of our minds”, as the fox lays siege to the vineyard.
So grateful to know God is in control. For many years, I always justified going my own way! I was betrayed by close relatives, but now I understsnd it is always more than just my ‘perception’ of events. Pain is the universal language!!! I thank God for music and beautiful words such as yours to get me through tough times. And always now His Torah!! Thank you Skip for what you do! Well let me qualify and say I am beginning my journry to learn Torah..
This was a really good follow up to yesterday’s post. 🙂
“But in it all, in every twist and turn, every up and down, we are not alone. YHVH’s invisible hand is at work bringing about His purposes, consoling our sorrows, beckoning us to follow, wooing us with impossible love.” That was the way I grew up, without parents at my side to guide, love nor protect. YET, :- ) somehow I knew and sensed a Beautiful Presence was around me, assuring and protecting me.
I discovered Who that was only when I came to know YHWH at High School.
Then I understood upon looking ‘back’, how blessed I had been, at some awful / horrifying events that I have gone through as a youth.
Thank You, ABBA, for Your chesed, and love.
HIS hand upon my life is an ongoing affair! So much to be grateful for, and rejoicing about!