Jeremiah 5:26–31

Be as wise as the serpent but as gentle as the dove. 

Holy Spirit should have the most influence in our life. Without Him we can do nothing. Forever gentle and speaking in a still, small voice we need to tune into His voice and His wisdom to survive evil that in this world. Social justice matters to God. Jesus exemplified this He went against the norm to defend women, the oppressed and the poor. He did not shy away from speaking the truth. His speaking His truth resulted in His death. 

Jesus willingly gave up His life so that through Him we could be set free!

We overcome evil with the fruit of the Spirit in love. We do not fight against man but against the principalities of darkness that seek to destroy him.

Matthew 12:34-35

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks

Man was formed in God’s creativity and every good and perfect gift comes from Him. There is a battle going on in the earth…evil vs good. 

Adam gave up his glory, his covering in God, Jesus bought it back. Joseph Prince

Matthew 11:29 (ESV) "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

When we come and learn from Jesus, He provides the rest and the peace we seek. (Matthew 11:29;  Isaiah 26:3) 

We praise You, Jesus, our King. Because You have loved us first, we can come to You, walk with You and learn from You. Thank You that we can share in Your purposes and can work in Your energy in this world as long as we are yoked to You by faith. Thank You that, in faith, we can experience rest in the midst of lives that sometimes seem out of control. Thank You for the assurance of Your Word, teaching us that You are our King and that You are who You say You are. May we stand firmly on Your Truth as the foundation of our faith. In Jesus' name, amen. First 5

Jeremiah 5:26–31

26 ‘For among My people are found wicked men; They lie in wait as one who sets snares; They set a trap; They catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, So their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become great and grown rich. 28 They have grown fat, they are sleek; Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the fatherless; Yet they prosper, And the right of the needy they do not defend. 29 Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the Lord. ‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’ 30 “An astonishing and horrible thing Has been committed in the land: 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end? The New King James Version

The wicked engage in behaviors that will trap the innocent, foolish, and weak in order to enrich themselves. 

The metaphor of the wicked setting traps is common in biblical poetry. Jeremiah now connects the wicked with the leaders of Israelite society. Criticizing the leaders for failing to observe their obligations for social justice is a common prophetic indictment. The religious leaders have failed just as thoroughly as the civil leaders. Faithlife Study Bible

Those responsible for the welfare of the whole populace had abused their positions by exploiting the lesser elements of Israelite society. The picture presented is one of birds, or the poor, being ensnared by great men who were building wealth at the expense of orphans and the needy. The deterioration of the leadership of the land reached to the prophets and priests, the very people who were to be the mainstays of righteousness among the people. Both offices had succumbed to the temptation of abusing their power, rejecting their responsible roles as messengers and servants of God. The NKJV Study Bible

Psalm 10:9 He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; he lies in wait to catch the poor; he catches the poor when he draws him into his net.

Proverbs 1:11 If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait to shed blood; let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

Isaiah 1:23 Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards.They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them.

Jeremiah 5:9 Shall I not punish them for these things?” says the LORD.“And shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?