Some interpreters believe that this address is the language of the Son of God under the name of wisdom, while others believe that wisdom as the Divine attribute specially employed in acts of counsel and admonition is personified in this discourse and represents GOD. Either way this address is extremely impressive and evangelical.
1 Wisdom Calls Aloud in the Streets
Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.
She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate.
In verses 20-21, wisdom is personified to that of the feminine Gender, and one who is making a public invitation to those who are willing to receive wisdom. First and foremost it is seen that God in his great mercy desires us to be wise and as such makes a cry for all to hear. “Wisdom cries aloud in the streets”, according to strong’s concordance, the Hebrew word that is used for calls aloud, is the word (Raw-Nan) which means to make a stridulous sound, or to shout, in the streets; this is a place where everyone can hear. The cry is loudly made in a place where everyone can loudly and clearly hear the call and this is deliberately done so as to give everyone a chance to attain this precious virtue that will save from death.
In the gate way of the streets: this is done so that all who enter will hear and is no doubt an ancient strategy to get the attention of people and was, I believe a good strategy for advertising something. This allegorical and piece of literature painted of wisdom in verses 21,22 clearly reveals implications of the opportunity that all have to shear in the wisdom of God that it made available.
2 An invitation to Change. Vs 22-23
In every case, one does not invite someone for something that they already possess, unless they are being invited for more. God calls to the simple, Mockers and the foolish; it is interesting to note that the Hebrew word for simple (pthy) also means silly, easily seduced, and foolish; and the word used for “fool” (kciyl) figuratively means to be silly, foolish. Wisdom in presented to those who lack it so that the snares of death and the horror of moral deficiency can be avoided and overcome. Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. The reward for heeding the call of God is the Gift of his spirit and a revelation of his divine knowledge; God’s invitation is to bless and the consequences for not heeding the cry of wisdom can be devastating.
3 The price that Fools pay.vs24-33
The reality is that God/ Wisdom personified will not call forever, there is a specific time limit and a grave consequence that is paid for rejecting the divine call for reformation.
To those who refuse to heed the call and invitation to attain the wisdom of God, there is a time when they will call and not be answered, the fact is that by turning away from the divine invitation one can seal the fate of their own soul. The word used for ’turning away’ meshuwbah, turning back, backsliding; is derived from the Hebrew word shuwb which means to turn back, Apostasy. The backsliding of the simple will slay them and the complacency of fools will destroy them, as the Hebrew word (abad) suggests, will cause them to wonder away and will lead to subsequent destruction.
Foot Note: Rev. Robert Jaimeson, DD, Rev. A.R ,Fausset ,A.M and Rev. David Brown, DD. Commentary on the Whole Bible, Grand Rapids Michigan, Zondervan Publishing House. 1974, 460.
1 Wisdom Calls Aloud in the Streets
Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.
She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate.
In verses 20-21, wisdom is personified to that of the feminine Gender, and one who is making a public invitation to those who are willing to receive wisdom. First and foremost it is seen that God in his great mercy desires us to be wise and as such makes a cry for all to hear. “Wisdom cries aloud in the streets”, according to strong’s concordance, the Hebrew word that is used for calls aloud, is the word (Raw-Nan) which means to make a stridulous sound, or to shout, in the streets; this is a place where everyone can hear. The cry is loudly made in a place where everyone can loudly and clearly hear the call and this is deliberately done so as to give everyone a chance to attain this precious virtue that will save from death.
In the gate way of the streets: this is done so that all who enter will hear and is no doubt an ancient strategy to get the attention of people and was, I believe a good strategy for advertising something. This allegorical and piece of literature painted of wisdom in verses 21,22 clearly reveals implications of the opportunity that all have to shear in the wisdom of God that it made available.
2 An invitation to Change. Vs 22-23
In every case, one does not invite someone for something that they already possess, unless they are being invited for more. God calls to the simple, Mockers and the foolish; it is interesting to note that the Hebrew word for simple (pthy) also means silly, easily seduced, and foolish; and the word used for “fool” (kciyl) figuratively means to be silly, foolish. Wisdom in presented to those who lack it so that the snares of death and the horror of moral deficiency can be avoided and overcome. Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. The reward for heeding the call of God is the Gift of his spirit and a revelation of his divine knowledge; God’s invitation is to bless and the consequences for not heeding the cry of wisdom can be devastating.
3 The price that Fools pay.vs24-33
The reality is that God/ Wisdom personified will not call forever, there is a specific time limit and a grave consequence that is paid for rejecting the divine call for reformation.
To those who refuse to heed the call and invitation to attain the wisdom of God, there is a time when they will call and not be answered, the fact is that by turning away from the divine invitation one can seal the fate of their own soul. The word used for ’turning away’ meshuwbah, turning back, backsliding; is derived from the Hebrew word shuwb which means to turn back, Apostasy. The backsliding of the simple will slay them and the complacency of fools will destroy them, as the Hebrew word (abad) suggests, will cause them to wonder away and will lead to subsequent destruction.
Foot Note: Rev. Robert Jaimeson, DD, Rev. A.R ,Fausset ,A.M and Rev. David Brown, DD. Commentary on the Whole Bible, Grand Rapids Michigan, Zondervan Publishing House. 1974, 460.