Usually if a 'move of God' is questioned or if someone with the gift of discernment raises concern about the spirits behind the move, 'The Gamaliel Approach' is often quoted: do not assess it or criticise it or take action about it, and if it is not of God it will die out by itself in time and fail. Do not 'judge', wait to see what kind of fruit is produced!
Is this biblical?? Lets look at where this occurs in scripture.
"When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them (the apostles) to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God. " (Acts 5:33-39)
We see that Gamaliel was not a Christian, he was a zealous Jew opposed to Christianity on the persecutor's side. Gamaliel was not inspired by the Holy Spirit or a friend of God.
So is this sound advice??
Gamaliel had the apostles flogged and ordered the apostles not to speak in the name of Jesus in the very next verse 40! Also consider the foxes.
Song of Solomon 2:15
Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, while our vineyards are in blossom.
I was thinking about little foxes when I noticed that they ruin the vineyard not when there are grapes on the vine -- but when the vineyards are in blossom or bloom. This struck me because I'd always thought these foxes wanted to 'eat' grapes. Vineyards in blossom have no fruit!
I found an explanation in the following commentary ...
| Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15. Transition to the vineyard, often formed in "stairs" (So 2:14), or terraces, in which, amidst the vine leaves, foxes hid. foxes-generic term, including jackals. They eat only grapes, not the vine flowers; but they need to be driven out in time before the grape is ripe. She had failed in watchfulness before (So 1:6); now when converted, she is the more jealous of subtle sins (Ps 139:23). In spiritual winter certain evils are frozen up, as well as good; in the spring of revivals these start up unperceived, crafty, false teachers, spiritual pride, uncharitableness, &c. (Ps 19:12; Mt 13:26; Lu 8:14; 2Ti 2:17; Heb 12:15). "Little" sins are parents of the greatest (Ec 10:1; 1Co 5:6). Historically, John the Baptist spared not the fox-like Herod (Lu 13:32), who gave vine-like promise of fruit at first (Mr 6:20), at the cost of his life; nor the viper-Sadducees, &c.; nor the varied subtle forms of sin (Lu 3:7-14). |
The time to prepare for the harvest is when the vineyard is in bloom, before the fruit becomes visible.
Little Foxes Become Full Grown
Some observations
* Song 2:15 is about 'Little Foxes'
These foxes 'eat' grapes
The time to deal with them is when they are small -- before the fruit appears
If they are not dealt with, they grow up and become full grown foxes
* Ezekeil 13 is about full grown Foxes
Full grown foxes are false prophets who propesy out of their own
... imaginations
They have grown unchalleneged and undealt with to such an extent that
... they are no longer connected to the Head Col 2:18-19 :(
Instead of dealing with the error or false teachings/prophesies, a whitewash has occurred.
Ezek 13:10-12
... when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, 11 therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth. 12 When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, "Where is the whitewash you covered it with?"