I’m caught in a game
Of hide-and-seek…
Where the run-from One
Haunts my every thought,
And calls out to me
With seductive roars
[And I know her too well;
I know her too often]
While the chase-after Other
Graces my every dream,
And dances upon the earth
With footsteps as soft as a whisper
[And, oh, this Other I long to know;
Oh, this Other I long to hold]
I’m caught in a game
Of hide-and-seek…
.
Inspired by Ecclesiastes 7
As other wisdom teachers have done (see Proverbs 1-9), the author of Ecclesiastes depicts folly and wisdom in terms of two women: one a pernicious seductress and the other an elusive virtuous bride.
Humanity is caught in a crazy game of seeking and finding. People are constantly chased by Folly, a dangerous “woman” from whose deadly snares they must try to escape; but only those favored by God can do so, while others inevitably are caught (7:26). At the same time, one tries desperately to find Wisdom, the “woman” who could save one from danger, but she is elusive (7:24, 28).
