E-Message Bible/Commentary

 
Yes, winter is past. And spring is approaching. That's why we use the word "Lent" because the days are "lengthened." Actually, "Lent" means "spring." Spring is the time when nature renews herself, and we, too, are renewed in our hearts. During these forty days of Lent, we should embark upon self-examination and evaluate our covenant relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
 
Why forty days of Lent? The season of Lent is paralleled to the forty days Jesus spent fasting before He started His earthly ministry. Moses was called to lead the Israelites at age 40 after spending 40 years on the backside of the mountain. He then led the Israelites through the wilderness for 40 years and died at the age of 120. When He received the Ten Commandments he fasted twice, 40 days each. Forty is a number of probation. Therefore, put yourself on probation for the next forty days. Spend time REFLECTING on the goodness of God and REMEMBERING that it was through His Son that we have eternal life. During these forty days, make personal sacrifices as you obey the words of Jesus when He said, "In order to come after me, you must deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). Let this be the season you focus on the suffering, death, and RESURRECTION of Jesus.
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In the Song of Solomon, the lover tells about small foxes that attack and destroy the vines when they are in bloom, the time they are the most tender. "Little foxes" apparently like to dig around the blossom-covered vines. The lover's warning was that little things could creep into a beautiful relationship, gnawing at it until the love vine lies in ruins. The lover wanted those little things caught before serious damage was done.
 
"The little foxes" are an example of the kinds of problems that can upset, disturb, or even destroy any relationship. It is often "the little foxes" that cause the biggest problems in our lives. These irritations must not be minimized or ignored, but identified so that, together, the persons involved can deal with them. Those "little foxes" are sometimes not recognized until they have eaten away bit by bit all the precious vines in the vineyard. Recognize those "little foxes" in your life and remove them immediately before they destroy you.
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