Chapter 3 first gives us some familiar instructions about honouring parents. Clearly this is aimed at grown up children honouring their elderly parents and, although not stated explicitly, it derives from the fact that this command when first given in the 10 commandments was accompanied by a promise, that those who obeyed it would live long in the land.
Then there is the injunction to be humble. Don’t concern yourself with matters that are beyond you. Have quiet faith, sit back and trust that God will do what is right. This is hard to swallow in today’s culture, when we all believe we have the right to know everything, and to be told that something is “none of your business” is an insult. Would it have been the same then? Plenty of people in the Bible questioned God - the Psalmist asked repeatedly why his prayers were not answered, or why underserved suffering came his way. If he’d listened to Sirach, we’d have had a shorter Psalter.
Friday, 20 April 2012
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Day 57: Sirach Chapter 2
More on the ultimate prize for a devoted Jew - the gift of Wisdom.
First, a plea for patience - something that Jewish people have always needed. Familiar words about gold being tested by fire are used again: if any race should be pure and valuable surely it is the Jews, who have been through the furnace more times than most.
So hang in there! Has anyone ever trusted in the Lord and been disappointed? asks Sirach. I’m tempted to reply, “Yes!” but he responds with a blast against those who give up and lose heart.
He finishes with a lovely verse: “Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, but not into the hands of mortals.”
If you’re going to fall, make sure God catches you.
First, a plea for patience - something that Jewish people have always needed. Familiar words about gold being tested by fire are used again: if any race should be pure and valuable surely it is the Jews, who have been through the furnace more times than most.
So hang in there! Has anyone ever trusted in the Lord and been disappointed? asks Sirach. I’m tempted to reply, “Yes!” but he responds with a blast against those who give up and lose heart.
He finishes with a lovely verse: “Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, but not into the hands of mortals.”
If you’re going to fall, make sure God catches you.
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Day 56: Sirach Chapter 1
Another Wisdom book to begin - and this one is unusual in that it begins with a helpfully informative Prologue.
The Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach, a book which I previously knew as Ecclesiasticus, starts by explaining where it came from. It is a translation by a Jewish exile living in Egypt, of his grandfather’s book. he translated it from Hebrew into Greek. This man is a fan of Wisdom, that Jewish concept that is part knowledge and understanding, and part personification of attributes of God. Let’s see what his granddad had to say.
Verse 1 sums up my definition of Wisdom above: “All wisdom comes from the Lord,
and Wisdom is with him forever.”
Wisdom was God’s first creation, and understands the mysteries that puzzle human minds. God pours her out on people - a little to everyone, but a lot on those he favours. So, fearing God is the first step to Wisdom, because she is a gift from God. Those who approach God with a sincere heart will receive their reward.
The Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach, a book which I previously knew as Ecclesiasticus, starts by explaining where it came from. It is a translation by a Jewish exile living in Egypt, of his grandfather’s book. he translated it from Hebrew into Greek. This man is a fan of Wisdom, that Jewish concept that is part knowledge and understanding, and part personification of attributes of God. Let’s see what his granddad had to say.
Verse 1 sums up my definition of Wisdom above: “All wisdom comes from the Lord,
and Wisdom is with him forever.”
Wisdom was God’s first creation, and understands the mysteries that puzzle human minds. God pours her out on people - a little to everyone, but a lot on those he favours. So, fearing God is the first step to Wisdom, because she is a gift from God. Those who approach God with a sincere heart will receive their reward.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Day 55: Wisdom Chapter 19
The story continues, with the Egyptians enraged pursuit of their departing slaves. Another chance for gloating as the writer pictures the Israelites skipping with glee across the dry bed of the Red Sea.
The Egyptians are being punished for not showing hospitality to strangers, because although they initially welcomed the family of Jacob, later they enslaved his descendants.
To release them from slavery, God plays a new chord on the harp of Creation. A wonderful way to finish this thought-provoking book - a very rich and inventive metaphorical description of miracle.
The Egyptians are being punished for not showing hospitality to strangers, because although they initially welcomed the family of Jacob, later they enslaved his descendants.
To release them from slavery, God plays a new chord on the harp of Creation. A wonderful way to finish this thought-provoking book - a very rich and inventive metaphorical description of miracle.
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Day 54: Wisdom Chapter 18
Meanwhile, the light was shining for the Israelites. While they were on their journey through the wilderness, God led them by a pillar of fire.
In poetic terms, the writer revisits the last plague of all - the death of the first born. As Egypt’s sons died, they realised finally that Israel was God’s son.
In the midst of this terrible fear and grief, a hero stood up. Aaron confront the angel of death and faced him down with his prayers. Clad (anachronistically) in his priestly robes, he claimed God’s promises and drove away the fearful instrument of God’s wrath.
All very dramatic and not to be taken too literally. Firstly, Aaron was not that much of a hero. Secondly, this account makes it sound as if God’s anger would have spilled over onto the Israelites were in not for the prayers of brave Aaron. What about the lamb’s blood splashed on the lintels of their doors? That part of the story is forgotten. Never mind, We’ll allow the writer his dramatic license.
In poetic terms, the writer revisits the last plague of all - the death of the first born. As Egypt’s sons died, they realised finally that Israel was God’s son.
In the midst of this terrible fear and grief, a hero stood up. Aaron confront the angel of death and faced him down with his prayers. Clad (anachronistically) in his priestly robes, he claimed God’s promises and drove away the fearful instrument of God’s wrath.
All very dramatic and not to be taken too literally. Firstly, Aaron was not that much of a hero. Secondly, this account makes it sound as if God’s anger would have spilled over onto the Israelites were in not for the prayers of brave Aaron. What about the lamb’s blood splashed on the lintels of their doors? That part of the story is forgotten. Never mind, We’ll allow the writer his dramatic license.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Day 53: Wisdom Chapter 17
The writer returns to the plight of the Egyptians, cowering under the impact of the plagues. There is a certain delight in the way he dwells on their suffering, relishing the enemies of God getting their comeuppance. This is a common theme in the bits of the Apocrypha I’ve read so far. A small and persecuted people would enjoy any tales of their enemies being put to shame, wouldn’t they?
But the psychology is spot on - someone with a guilty conscience will always imagine things to be worse than they really are. I could add that the view of the world at 3am, in the middle of a sleepless night, is a lot more bleak and comfortless than at 3pm in the afternoon sunshine.
But the psychology is spot on - someone with a guilty conscience will always imagine things to be worse than they really are. I could add that the view of the world at 3am, in the middle of a sleepless night, is a lot more bleak and comfortless than at 3pm in the afternoon sunshine.
Monday, 9 April 2012
Day 52: Wisdom Chapter 16
Continuing his attack on the Egyptians, the writer calls to mind their punishment in the plagues, and sets it against the mercy God showed to the Israelites - feeding them in the wilderness, saving them from the attack of snakes. We’ve been here before in this argument, but coming round to it a second time after the profound thoughts about idolatry makes it more convincing.
Rise tinted glasses affect the opinion of manna. The writer calls it food for angels, conveniently forgetting how fed up the Israelites got with it. What precipitated the snake attack was their moaning about having to eat this disgusting stuff day in day out. According to Wisdom. the manna tasted different to each person who ate it. Exodus never mentions that. I think that manna took on some legendary qualities as the years passed. Nevertheless, the writer uses it as a powerful example of God’s provision for the world.
Rise tinted glasses affect the opinion of manna. The writer calls it food for angels, conveniently forgetting how fed up the Israelites got with it. What precipitated the snake attack was their moaning about having to eat this disgusting stuff day in day out. According to Wisdom. the manna tasted different to each person who ate it. Exodus never mentions that. I think that manna took on some legendary qualities as the years passed. Nevertheless, the writer uses it as a powerful example of God’s provision for the world.
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