Wise as Serpents

Be ye wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.

That’s pretty straightforward, even though in real life serpents are stupid, they will literally swallow their own tail on rare occasions, and doves aren’t harmless. As my denuded grape vines can attest.

I wonder if there is a symbolic meaning?

The serpent can by a symbol of Christ, both because of the brass serpent and because anciently the snake was a symbol of rebirth and resurrection since it sheds its skin.

The dove can by a symbol of the Holy Ghost.

Be as wise as Christ and as harmless as the Holy Ghost?

Or, alternatively, we could see both as aspects of Christ. The serpent is often sent to chastise but also in the brass serpent to overcome chastisement. The resurrected Christ is the triumphant Christ. Meanwhile the dove was a sacrifice.

So, be as wise as the omnipotent Lord, and as harmless as the humble sacrifice?

Be the lion and the lamb?