The Fox Will Fall: Three Enemies, One Spirit of Opposition
Bible Study | Luke
Luke 13:31–33 (TSR2009)
31 On that same day there came certain Pharisees, saying to Him, “Get out and go from here, for Herodes wants to kill You.”
32 And He said to them, “Go, say to that fox, ‘See, I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’
33 But I have to journey today, and tomorrow, and the day following, because it is not fitting for a prophet to perish outside of Yerushalayim.”
Luke 13:31–33, ESV:
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”
32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.
33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.”
Prophetic Reflection: When the Foxes Came
Many years ago I once worked for a woman, as a designer. The job seemingly simple enough and the woman, seemed kind enough—and then one day, as I’m pulling into the drive, a family of foxes emerged from the woods. At the time, I remember thinking they were beautiful, curious little creatures; (their color was amazing). Just one little mama her two little ones—and then as my mind began to drift, something stirred inside me—a feeling I couldn’t quite place. A subtle unease.
I would guess a week or so later, I saw the foxes again. This time, the sense of warning was stronger. Still unspoken, still unformed—but present. Left me unsettled. I couldn’t identify it. It was foreign to me; very unsettling... Are there foxes going to attack me?
Now, with Scripture deeply rooted in my heart, I understand now, what I couldn’t name back then: Adonai was warning me—and it wasn’t about the foxes. He was going before me, using even the appearance of foxes to mark the spiritual atmosphere. That woman I worked for was not what she seemed…
The foxes were never random—they never are—nothing is.
They were a whisper from the wilderness sent forth by the Creators prompt—a prompting to be watchful, a reminder that not every beautiful thing is good, and not every opportunity is from Him.
It would take many more jobs, and many more “opportunities,” to learn this lesson.
And He was right. He always is.
The best thing about learning The Holy Bible, and having intimacy with Adonai on a deeper level, is realizing that He is with us, guiding and promoting us along. When we are His—we are always His.
So, let’s dig in. This one is fabulous—I love the mind of Yahushua!
Foxes in the Bible: A Symbol of Subtle Sabotage and Open Opposition
Throughout Scripture, the fox appears in moments of destruction, deception, and mockery. Though small in stature, this creature is often linked to spiritual threats—whether through overt attacks on Yahweh’s people or through subtle, creeping sabotage that ruins fruitfulness from within. From Samson’s fire-bearing foxes to Yahushua’s rebuke of Herod, each mention reveals a deeper message: the enemy may come sly, mocking, or cloaked in authority—but Yahweh always exposes and overcomes. Below is a chart tracing four key references to foxes in Scripture and the powerful truths they unveil.
“Go and tell that fox…” — Luke 13:32
Throughout Scripture, the fox is more than a sly animal. It becomes a prophetic symbol—an embodiment of cunning resistance to the will of Yahweh, often cloaked in mockery and false authority.
From the days of Samson to the rebuilding under Nehemiah, and into the very steps of Yahushua’s ministry, the fox appears again and again—small in stature, but loud in opposition—indulgent sense of self.
1. The Fox Who Burns (Judges 15:4–5)
“And Shimshon went and caught three hundred foxes, and took torches, and turned the foxes tail to tail, and put a torch between each pair of tails. Then he lit the torches and let them go into the standing grain of the Philistines…”
(Shophetim / Judges 15:4–5)
Samson, a judge of Israel, uses foxes to set fire to the fields of the Philistines—those who sought to rule over and oppress the chosen people. These foxes become instruments of destruction—not by their own strength, but by the fire they carry. Just as the Philistines mocked and warred against Israel, the foxes were unleashed as Yahweh’s answer. In this story, the foxes destroy the fruit of rebellion.
2. The Fox Who Mocks (Nehemiah 4:3)
“Toḇiyah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, ‘Whatever they build, if a fox should go up on it, he shall break down their stone wall!’”
(Neḥemyah 4:3)
While Nehemiah leads the people in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem—a prophetic act of restoration—Tobiah the Ammonite mocks them. He invokes the image of a fox to ridicule their efforts: “Even a fox would topple it.” This wasn’t just an insult—it was the voice of the accuser, trying to make Yahweh’s people doubt the strength of their calling. But the wall stood. The fox's words fell to the ground, not the stones.
3. The Fox Who Rules (Luke 13:32)
“Go and say to that fox, ‘See, I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’”
(Luqas / Luke 13:32, TS2009)
Yahushua calls Herod a fox—a ruler who had no legitimate spiritual authority. Herod was of Edomite descent and married into Jewish influence, but his throne was rooted in Roman politics, not divine covenant. He sought to control the movements of the Messiah, to silence the prophetic voice—but Yahushua was not afraid. He exposed the false power. Herod's cunning could not stop the resurrection.
The Common Thread: Three Foxes, One Spirit
Each fox represents a different face of the same enemy:
The Philistine fox – Destructive fire and bondage
The Ammonite fox – Mockery and discouragement
The Herodian fox – False authority and political power
But the outcome is always the same: Yahweh prevails.
“The Third Day I Finish My Course” / “The Third Day I Shall Be Perfected”
➕ Luke 13:32 – Comparison and Meaning / example of why I’ve switched Bible versions… TSR2009 Is a Messianic Bible, which understands the body of Christ on a fuller richer, FULFILLED, level.
Side-by-Side Comparison
TSR2009 (The Scriptures 2009)“See, I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.”
ESV (English Standard Version)“Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.”
KJV (King James Version)“Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.”
NIV (New International Version) “I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.”
Greek Word Study – “Perfected” / “Finish My Course”
The Greek phrase is:
τελειοῦμαι (teleioumai) – Strong’s G5048
Meaning: to bring to completion, to reach a goal, to make perfect, to fulfill a purpose.
So while the ESV uses “finish my course,” and others use “be perfected,” the heart of the phrase points to:
Completion of a divine mission
Fulfillment of a prophetic purpose
The climax of Yahushua’s earthly ministry through death, burial, and resurrection
Keeping in mind that Yahweh IS Order and His design is ALWAYS perfect, so the right definition is perfection, not “course,” which can imply a period of time, rather than God’s purposeful perfect plan with very specific set outcomes—in other words, nothing happens by accident, i.e., a few sinners in the garden did not thwart His plan. This is order, this is plan.
The Prophetic Power of “The Third Day”
Yahushua isn’t just referring to His literal travel schedule. He is speaking prophetically. In Scripture, “the third day” often signifies:
Resurrection (Luke 24:7 – “...be raised on the third day”)
Covenant and renewal (Exodus 19:11 – Yahweh appears on the third day at Sinai)
Deliverance and restoration (Hosea 6:2 – “On the third day He will raise us up...”)
So when Yahushua says this in Luke 13:32, He’s doing far more than brushing off Herod’s threats. He’s declaring:
“You cannot stop Me. My mission is unfolding. I will heal. I will cast out darkness. And on the third day—the day of resurrection, fulfillment, and glory—I will complete what I came to do.”
The Prophets
Hosea & Jonah, c. 1510
| Raphael
Rooted in the Word:
“Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.”
(Shir HaShirim / Song of Songs 2:15)
Foxes spoil fruit, mock restoration, and challenge truth—but they never win. Whether in ancient fields, on the wall, or in the courts of corrupt kings, the foxes fall when Yahweh’s people stand in faith.
Conclusion: The Fox Still Speaks—Will We Still Watch?
We live in a time where voices are many, but discernment is rare. Commentary is abundant, but reverence for Yahweh’s Word is fading. We must not be content to skim the surface of Scripture or settle for clever interpretations that tickle the ears. We need the kind of understanding that only comes through exegesis—drawing meaning out of the text with fear, humility, and dependence on the Ruach ha’Qodesh.
The fox has always symbolized something more than a clever animal. It is a prophetic sign of resistance—of the enemy's attempts to destroy, mock, distract, and derail the work of Yahweh in every generation. And just like in the days of Samson, Nehemiah, and Yahushua, the foxes still appear. Sometimes in the open, sometimes cloaked in sweetness, subtlety, or influence. But they are never harmless creatures.
This study wasn’t just about ancient stories. It is about now, the present world we live in.
The Word reveals the pattern, the Spirit confirms the truth, and our calling is clear:
Stay watchful. Test every voice. Stay rooted in Scripture. And don’t be fooled by the fox.
This isn’t just a lesson—it’s a charge.
We are not spectators.
We are watchmen on the wall.
GRACE Method Study For The Fox Will Fall…
And Here We Find Grace…
GRACE perfectly encapsulates the transition from striving, to resting, in God's presence—which is at the heart of the message. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, and it's through His grace that we are able to move from struggle to peace. I invite you to pause and reflect on God's presence, how you can connect to God’s grace in a meaningful way.
Our GRACE Method™ is meant to encourage you so you can experience YHWH, Immanuel, and the Holy Spirit, in a deeper way, on a regular basis, through thought provoking Bible Study, Prayer, education, and Worship.
G – Grounded in Scripture
Judges 15, Nehemiah 4, Luke 13, Song of Songs 2:15
Judges 15:4–5 (Shophetim 15:4–5)
“And Shimshon went and caught three hundred foxes, and took torches, and turned the foxes tail to tail, and put a torch between each pair of tails. And he lit the torches and let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Pelishtites, and burned up both the shocks and the standing grain, even the vineyards and olive-trees.”
(Shophetim / Judges 15:4–5, TSR2009)
Nehemiah 4:3 (Neḥemyah 4:3)
“And Toḇiyah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, ‘Whatever they build, if a fox should go up on it, he shall break down their stone wall!’”
(Neḥemyah / Nehemiah 4:3, TSR2009)
Luke 13:32 (Luqas 13:32)
“And He said to them, ‘Go, say to that fox, ‘See, I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’”
(Luqas / Luke 13:32, TSR2009)
Song of Songs 2:15 (Shir HaShirim 2:15)
“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vines, and our vines are all blossom.”
(Shir HaShirim / Song of Songs 2:15, TSR2009)
R – Reflecting on Context
Each story features a "fox" aligned with the enemy—opposing Yahweh’s people during moments of restoration or calling. These foxes are symbols of both literal and spiritual resistance.
Do you have any foxes that need to be defeated in your own calling?
A – Applying to Your Life
What “foxes” are mocking your obedience to Yahweh?
Are you being intimidated by false authority, spiritual ridicule, or destructive voices? Identify them—and know they will fall.
C – Communing with God
Ask Yahweh to reveal where resistance is coming from and how He wants you to respond.
Surrender fear.
Receive His boldness, like Nehemiah, Samson, and Yahushua.
E – Exalting God
Praise Yahweh that no cunning plan of the enemy can undo His will. The wall will be finished. The harvest will be restored. The fox will fall.
Speak This Aloud
– A Prayer of Submission and Power
In the Name of Yahushua, let Yahweh in Heaven decree and declare that every mocking fox, every false authority, every fiery threat against my calling shall fail and fall. I will rebuild, because Yahweh will do it! I believe You will do it!
ABBA, root out every idol, every fox, every single thing that keeps me from fully walking in every abundant blessings You’ve had planned for me since before the world began. I will walk in power, because it’s Your power I walk in. I will speak with authority, because it’s Your authority I speak in.
I am Your child, a daughter of the King of Kings! Fully blessed, fully healed, and I will not be moved by lies, scoffing, eye rolls, intimidation or manipulation, because Yahweh says they will not move me.
Every time there’s an eye roll, threat, scoff, smack talk, manipulation, or word of doubt, let it be a flame to Your fire— embolden the Ruach ha’Qodesh within me to speak louder, always for the glory of Yahweh and the One You sent—ABBA, our Savior, our Messiah, the One True Christ, Yahushua!
The wall will stand, because Yahweh has declared it.
Blessed be Your Holy Name!
Amen ➕ Amen!!
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Has Yahweh helped you silence the voice of a fox?
Has He given you strength to build in the face of mocking or fear?
Share your testimony—your wall might be the encouragement someone else needs!
