Author: Hollisa Alewine

The expressions clarify the verses in the Song of Songs concerning the Vineyard Israel’s (Is 5:7) need to mature in the fruits of repentance and its identity as the ripe figs of Passover repentance.There is a lack of people of righteousness among the Vineyard and Fig Tree Israel. Knowing that the “fruits” are works reflecting repentance, this is dire. The foxes have ruined the fruits of repentance, so they did not ripen. The Artscroll commentary is more specific, saying that there is a lack of teachers who will teach integrity. (The Prophets: The Twelve Prophets to Micah 7:1)

The preservation of the fig trees and vineyard is usually through watchmen [and women!] who build secure fences and stand guard on the walls for predators such as foxes. Ezekiel explains the problem: “I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.” (Eze 22:30)

Lack of care for the physical land explains the lack of care for the spiritual land’s destruction, its Vineyard.