Wisdom is personified, a common ploy in ancient middle-east literature (20). Wisdom is beseeching the simple people going about their daily routines in the populated cities’ markets, restaurants, and forums (20,21). The simple people from wisdom’s perspective are those who rejected its call thus becoming mockers, hating knowledge, and not choosing to fear the LORD (22,28).
Wisdom’s oration contrasts the results of accepting and rejecting its implementation. Executing wisdom promises total enlightenment (23), life in safety (33), an easy set of mind (33), and life without fear of harm (33). The results of applying wisdom to daily decisions are inward in spite of what happens without.
Rebuffing wisdom promises self-imposed disaster (26), calamity (26), distress (27), and overwhelming trouble (27). The results of dismissing wisdom in daily decisions are self-fulfilling destruction and death (31,32). Lifestyle choices have results that come to a point where no matter what happens the results of decisions made cannot be avoided (26,28).
Jesus called out with words similar to verse 28. He told those in the temple, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” (John 7:33-34) And, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.” (John 12:35-36)
