I think the word ‘Fox’ became very popular after the brothers from Norway put a significant effort of making a groovy song, ‘What does the Fox say?’ Now the word ‘Fox’ in Norwegian simply means Marijuana, and I assume if anyone takes the ‘fox’, they go ringa-dinga-ringa-dinga, but let’s not get too much into that song or its appealing music. In the internet world, ‘fox’ also means an attractive woman. It is always interesting to know and to learn that there are quite a lot of metaphors used to express and widely communicate.
Now you may ask why ‘Fox’ has become the centre of our devotional.
To understand it better let’s read Nehemiah 4:3: “Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, ‘What they are building–even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!'”
Nehemia,h who heard from God, had initiated the work to repair the desolated walls of Jerusalem. At first he found favour in the eyes of the King, and then he was released to do the work what God intended him to do. In Nehemiah chapter 2 he takes the second step to inspect the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:12 says: “I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem.” He was just satisfied with what he heard from God. He did not heed to any man’s opinion or schemes. With much spirit and boldness Nehemiah instructs the builders to rebuild the wall but there strikes the opposition to the reconstruction.
Tobiah, who was at his side, insults him by saying: “if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!”
Here are some interesting Fox Facts:
A fox’s den is normally a burrow underground. The sharp, high pitched screaming noise can sound very terrifying. Apparently a fox weighs between 12-14kgs.
The scenario is much beyond humiliation, embarrassment and insult. Now the questions to ask are: Can a 12-14 kg animal bring down a wall of stones? Can a Fox destroy a wall that was asked to build by the Almighty God? No, absolutely not! He is a powerful God.
Nehemiah could have easily retaliated and fought against Tobiah’s words of insult. He could have easily proved that Tobiah was wrong that he could not merely do anything.
But what touched my heart was that Nehemiah did not retaliate. Rather in vs 4 we read that he went back to God and prayed, “Hear us O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads.” (Nehemiah 2:4)
Take away:
Do you have times at your office, school, college or even at church where people insult you, humiliate you to the core and you are smacked by scoffers? Don’t strike back! All that you have to do is get back to God and pray for those who insult you. The Lord will turn it in your favour. Nehemiah always prayed, “Remember me with favour O my God!” I think that should be our heart beat. Cheer up! Because God’s favour is on you!
Thanks,
Sam