"Be wise as a serpent, but gentle as a dove."1
The nature of a serpent in scripture has a duality about it; its symbol is of evil but also of life and healing. The Hebrew word Nachash, "snake", is also associated with divination. Think of the serpents God sent among Israel to poison them and also of the serpent God told Moses to lift up for salvation.2 One serpent brought death and the other life. This bronze serpent was later destroyed because they worshiped it, "they exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator."4 Jesus was lifted up and through His Spirit all men are drawn to him and those who look unto him will be saved.5 Jesus brought life for all men but some loved darkness. Jesus brought Grace and Truth but some love the flesh, some chose religion over the Son of God. This that was lifted up brings life and death, we can choose death but we are told to look into this life for salvation. That which was lifted up, was a light unto all the world.
A dove is gentle and is used to represent the Holy Spirit. The Bible says for us to be wise as a serpent, but gentle as a dove. Be wise and gentle, like God. Wisdom without gentleness is without the dove, without the spirit. It is God's Spirit that brings life and it is not a spirit of fear, nor condemnation, nor death, nor worldly sorrow, it is of power, love, and a sound mind. Godly wisdom is life; "the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."6 Wisdom is to be desired as gold and silver, but without God's guidance it puts heavy burdens on people. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit.5 And wisdom is to be guided by His Spirit. This is speaking truth in love. Jesus came in Grace and Truth. He spoke truth on this foundation of Grace. The Son of God dwelt among people, surely without Grace his requirements for righteousness would have brought his wrath.
"Bless is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful"3 The idea is one of influence, if we seek wisdom or counsel or are influenced by the ungodly, then we will walk with them, and stand with them, and at last sit with them, in the seat of the scornful. This Hebrew word for of the scornful has a political meaning as in a counselor, ambassador, interpreter.4 It speaks to, a mocker, an ambassador who is; "proud and haughty Proverbs 21:24, delights in scorning Proverbs 1:22, is incapable of discipline Proverbs 9:7, or reproof Proverbs 9:8; Proverbs 15:12, or rebuke Proverbs 13:1, cannot find wisdom Proverbs 14:6"8 The idea of scorn is that of looking down, laughing at others, mocking, ridiculing. An antonym of scorn is favor. They scorned the Son of God, but He manifested wisdom of God, grace, unmerited favor.
Beware of ungodly counsel.8 Godly wisdom and influence will bring division, but when the peace leaves and the sword divides, in the seat of scornful we are not to sit. We are to stand firm in our confession of Jesus, as ambassadors of Christ, though it divide or bring death, from a worldly perspective. We are to reward the righteous with cool water.9 We can bring godly influence, by how we reward the righteous with our material possessions. Brilliant, innovative, or godly which do you reward. God desires people of all three. Godly leaders are to seek wisdom from God and counsel from wise, godly men. An element of leadership is influence, it is a matter of who influences who. The religious leaders of Jesus's day were mockers.9 They mocked Jesus on many occasions, accusing him of being different, breaking their beliefs and Laws, but Jesus said they nullified the commandments of God by their traditions. "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God."10
We are not to be scornful ambassadors, but wise and gentle ambassadors of Christ,4 "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us,"11 This reconciliation (restoration) as the resulting of Christ precisely exchanging His righteousness (blood) for our guilt.12 Christ was the ambassador of God whose message was of peace, a restoration to favor, grace, this was good news. God is not keeping account of our sin, holding it against us. If Christ was an ambassador of reconciliation and we are His ambassador then we are ambassadors of reconciliation as if he is making His appeal through us. If I sit in the seat with the scornful I have allowed ungodly wisdom and men to influence me.
A dove is gentle and is used to represent the Holy Spirit. The Bible says for us to be wise as a serpent, but gentle as a dove. Be wise and gentle, like God. Wisdom without gentleness is without the dove, without the spirit. It is God's Spirit that brings life and it is not a spirit of fear, nor condemnation, nor death, nor worldly sorrow, it is of power, love, and a sound mind. Godly wisdom is life; "the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."6 Wisdom is to be desired as gold and silver, but without God's guidance it puts heavy burdens on people. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit.5 And wisdom is to be guided by His Spirit. This is speaking truth in love. Jesus came in Grace and Truth. He spoke truth on this foundation of Grace. The Son of God dwelt among people, surely without Grace his requirements for righteousness would have brought his wrath.
"Bless is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful"3 The idea is one of influence, if we seek wisdom or counsel or are influenced by the ungodly, then we will walk with them, and stand with them, and at last sit with them, in the seat of the scornful. This Hebrew word for of the scornful has a political meaning as in a counselor, ambassador, interpreter.4 It speaks to, a mocker, an ambassador who is; "proud and haughty Proverbs 21:24, delights in scorning Proverbs 1:22, is incapable of discipline Proverbs 9:7, or reproof Proverbs 9:8; Proverbs 15:12, or rebuke Proverbs 13:1, cannot find wisdom Proverbs 14:6"8 The idea of scorn is that of looking down, laughing at others, mocking, ridiculing. An antonym of scorn is favor. They scorned the Son of God, but He manifested wisdom of God, grace, unmerited favor.
Beware of ungodly counsel.8 Godly wisdom and influence will bring division, but when the peace leaves and the sword divides, in the seat of scornful we are not to sit. We are to stand firm in our confession of Jesus, as ambassadors of Christ, though it divide or bring death, from a worldly perspective. We are to reward the righteous with cool water.9 We can bring godly influence, by how we reward the righteous with our material possessions. Brilliant, innovative, or godly which do you reward. God desires people of all three. Godly leaders are to seek wisdom from God and counsel from wise, godly men. An element of leadership is influence, it is a matter of who influences who. The religious leaders of Jesus's day were mockers.9 They mocked Jesus on many occasions, accusing him of being different, breaking their beliefs and Laws, but Jesus said they nullified the commandments of God by their traditions. "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God."10
We are not to be scornful ambassadors, but wise and gentle ambassadors of Christ,4 "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us,"11 This reconciliation (restoration) as the resulting of Christ precisely exchanging His righteousness (blood) for our guilt.12 Christ was the ambassador of God whose message was of peace, a restoration to favor, grace, this was good news. God is not keeping account of our sin, holding it against us. If Christ was an ambassador of reconciliation and we are His ambassador then we are ambassadors of reconciliation as if he is making His appeal through us. If I sit in the seat with the scornful I have allowed ungodly wisdom and men to influence me.
We are born again as little children, spiritually, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation"9 While meat is good, feeding meat to a baby can be deadly. Food is to be fed based upon maturity, an infant doesn't possess the ability to eat meat. Wisdom is like food and its purpose is to bring life. Some principles or wisdom from God must be taught appropriately based upon maturity, like discipline and obedience for example. To learn obedience we must first build on a foundation of grace. Trust is a foundation which allows one to accept discipline, for the right reason. A child trusts the Father, because he is good, thus the child decides to be like him. The foundation for discipline is love; a father will discipline a child whom he loves and a child will allow discipline in love. If we take away the heart issue of love and trust, discipline becomes poisonous. In an ideal situation spiritual maturity matches physical but we are in a broken generation, today like no other is the message of grace needed.
Our heavenly Father builds a foundation with us on love and mercy, forgiveness, peace, unity, gentleness, the spiritual milk of His kingdom, the glory of his riches in Christ, so that our hearts trust His. This is the purpose of His Church, to build up His body into the manifestation of His Glory with its eternal purpose of fellowship as One. This is a stumbling block to some, but he chose such foolishness to confound our wisdom. There is a time when a child must grow up, but without this foundation it will develop into an adult physically, acting out as a child. Trying to teach and discipline an adult child is more difficult. "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." -- Frederick Douglass. There are cases of children being abandoned and raised by animals, these children are called Feral children, this one girl barks and acts like the parents that raised her.3" As a child a strong foundation is important, the love and nurture by parents.
"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."8 The righteous were the Law abiding citizens of Israel but it was an outward show of piety, their hearts were far from God. He beforehand planned new requirements, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, a new covenant by Grace through faith. He calls those which worldly wisdom deems unclean, unwise, "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant."8 learn what that means. It is to have such a strong identity in Christ as to be a servant. If I give wisdom and this person slaps me, I turn the other cheek, I love you. I do not become a punching bag, but I am sound in wisdom, identity, my wisdom and gentleness will persuade them. When giving wisdom there are two ways someone will walk away; they will walk away changed or feeling attacked. It depends on God's Spirit and He says use my Spirit of gentleness. If they walk away angry, condemned, you have just given pearls to a pig, you haven't given them something they value.
Our heavenly Father builds a foundation with us on love and mercy, forgiveness, peace, unity, gentleness, the spiritual milk of His kingdom, the glory of his riches in Christ, so that our hearts trust His. This is the purpose of His Church, to build up His body into the manifestation of His Glory with its eternal purpose of fellowship as One. This is a stumbling block to some, but he chose such foolishness to confound our wisdom. There is a time when a child must grow up, but without this foundation it will develop into an adult physically, acting out as a child. Trying to teach and discipline an adult child is more difficult. "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." -- Frederick Douglass. There are cases of children being abandoned and raised by animals, these children are called Feral children, this one girl barks and acts like the parents that raised her.3" As a child a strong foundation is important, the love and nurture by parents.
The wisdom of God is available to anyone. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach." We are to seek it, as if it is a person, or as one would seek gold and silver. Our heavenly Father says if we just ask believing we will receive, he is no distinguish-er of persons. Oh the glorious riches in Christ, "come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."10 But wisdom comes at a cost, the lesson is in learning gentleness and humility, these are attributes of love and fruits of the Holy Spirit, "take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." He is wise and gentle, rest for our souls.
Be Still My Soul
Be Still My Soul