The Little Foxes in Our Backyard

“Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.” (Song of Solomon 2:15 NKJV)

This spring, some new residents moved to our neighborhood—a pair of beautiful red foxes. 

It’s such a delight when they appear in the early morning and go scampering across our yard, with their black-stockinged legs and thick-fluffed tails flying.

These foxes are probably attracted to our yard by the abundance of voles (dark gray field mice). I watched this morning as one of the foxes sauntered up to a depression in our yard and promptly chomped on a vole, finishing it off in a few bites.

In folklore and legends, foxes are depicted as crafty, cunning fellows with a penchant for grapes—see Aesop’s fable about a fox’s unsuccessful attempts to dine on grapes just out of reach. While foxes are reputed to wreak havoc on vineyards, they are primarily carnivores with a snacking preference for small mammals. 

There are only a few references in Scripture about foxes—all negative. Foxes represent destruction, chaos, deceit, and selfishness. 

Samson caught 300 of them, tied their tails together with torches, and used them to burn down the Philistines’ grain fields, vineyards, and olive trees (Judges 15:4-5). In the Song of Solomon, the Shulamite’s protective brothers call for a hunt to catch the “foxes that spoil the vines”—to prevent conflicts or attacks that would dampen the happiness of the lovers (Song of Solomon 2:15). In Ezekiel’s time, God called Israel’s prophets “foxes in the desert” for their false divinations (Ezekiel 13:4). Jesus called Herod a “fox” after hearing that the ruler wanted to kill Jesus (Luke 13:32).

I think it’s terribly sad that such gorgeous creatures have been maligned with a despicable reputation! They look as harmless and cuddly as sweet little bunnies. Unfortunately, foxes like to include rabbits on their charcuterie boards. And they can be carriers of rabies.

Isn’t that so much like the evil in our world? Satan likes to package sin in beautiful boxes, wrapped and tied up with a bow so that the real contents are hidden. He himself was “Prince Charming” in heaven, until his pride-infused fall revealed his penchant for demonic activities. 

We’re often deceived by glitzy advertisements for things that promote unhealthy lifestyles or by internet trolls who steal from us. Casinos and lotteries lure people inside with colorful lighting, entertainment, and credit cards options for paying off financial losses. Drugs and alcohol are attractively presented to addict bodies and destroy lives.

With Satan prowling around in our “backyards” like a lion seeking to devour us, we need to discern his tactics so that we won’t fall prey to his snares. We need to be wary of those who are “sly as a fox,” those who seek their own gain at our expense—especially those who desire to lead us away from God’s truth. 

Okay, beautiful foxes. I’ll enjoy watching you from a distance. You can scamper around all you want and have all the field mice you crave out of our yard. But stay away from us and our beloved mini-schnauzer pup. 

If I need to catch you, it will be on my camera! 

Lord, thank You for giving me a glimpse of Your lovely handiwork in Creation. Remind me, by the appearance of foxes, that I need to be careful and discerning in the world around me—since Satan seeks to defy Your purposes and lead me astray. Help me to be aware of his efforts, and keep me joyfully at Your feet in praising You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2025 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #foxes #vineyards #spoil #destruction #crafty