Jacob’s praise is the foundation for his prophetic counsel, spoken through his prophetic authority and therefore part of his prophesying. He mentions the destruction of the wicked, using it to call for repentance. His message is that the repentant may lift up their hearts in hope. That hope, however, is only for those who follow Yahweh. Jacob sees conditions among his people that are leading them away from strict obedience to Yahweh’s way, so he uses this ultimate division between good and evil to exhort them to be found on the side of good.
The allegory locates this event in the last days, and Jacob certainly understands it as far in the future. Nevertheless, he personalizes and makes immediate his message of repentance. The allegory describes the eschatological future of the house of Israel, but individuals must make immediate decisions. No one who has received the gospel can assume that judgment comes only at some far-off point or happens to far distant peoples. Each of us must face our individual judgment, regardless of how the timeline of our individual lives matches the great timelessness of eternity. It is to our own individual salvation that Jacob turns, reminding his people (and through them, us) that we are personally accountable.