In the second half of this chapter, wisdom is personified as woman (:20). She addresses the simple, mockers and fools (:22) and calls on them to repent and receive what she has to offer (:23).
Then comes our two verses. She doesn’t mince words here.
Lady Wisdom says, “I call” and “I stretch out my hand” with some help. She offers “advice” and even gives a “rebuke” to help them experience a different way of life.
But she also notes – “you refuse to listen,” “no one pays attention,” “you disregard” and “do not accept” what she offers.
These verses are a sad indictment of the way many of us have struggled over the years. And our problem is not that we didn’t know or never heard.
Pure and simple we’ve just haven’t wanted to listen, learn or do better. Somehow, we thought we had a better plan.
I wish I could say that I’m cured from ever living this way again – but I do relapse back into it every now and then! Way too often I still find myself not open to hear the real issues or answers.
When I’m like that, I generally just want to do what I want to do. And that is never a good idea!
But, if wisdom is the ability and opportunity to “see life from God’s point of view” (our definition of wisdom), then I would be no smarter than those simple, mockers or fools. And I can expect the same kind of results that they got (see :26-31).
It’s always going to be my choice and it will always be one day at a time!