shrewd as snakes, gentle as doves

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16 NLT

Have you ever thought of a snake as shrewd? I haven't! I have heard the term when used in the phrase: 'she was a shrewd old woman!' This usually refers to money handling. So what does shrewd actually mean here? The footnotes in my study bible talks about snakes fleeing from danger. I was out walking a few weeks back and came across a deadly brown snake (Australia's worst) and it was fleeing the road I found it on. It was not planning an attack, as we mostly assume they do. It was flicking its long tail to climb the gutter of a footpath. It knew that danger was approaching in the form of my dog and myself. 

The disciples were also told to be harmless as doves. Doves do not retaliate or plan their defence, they are harmless, gentle, quiet and beautiful, they are usually welcome by good people.

So, know when to flee  and be gentle about it. Amen!