Ecclesiasticus or Sirach is a masterpiece of wisdom literature, organised into teachable units. Many subjects are contained in this work including faith in God as Creator and Sustainer of life, love of wisdom and ethical conduct, virtue and good deeds, the value of tradition of the past, proper behaviour and teaching, poverty and wealth, and health and sickness. It is written by Jesus Ben Sira, a Jew living in Jerusalem around 190 B.C.
Ben Sira is the last canonical representative of Jewish wisdom in Palestine.He is an outstanding example of those 'hasidim' (the 'devout') of Judaism - 1Macc. 2:42 -who were soon to defend their faith against the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes and preserve little islands of faith in Israel in which the teaching of Christ could later take root. Though Ecclesiasticus was not accepted into Hebrew Canon, it is frequently quoted in the rabbinical writings; in the New Testament, the Epistle of St.James borrows many expressions from it and it is, next to the Psalms, the Old Testament book most frequently quoted in the Christian liturgy.
The author of Ecclesiasticus upholds Israel's traditions as a channel through which God's Word is communicated. His essay on the great people in Israel's history gives the person an appreciation for the kind of people who make our world pleasant and worthwhile. The righteous person receives a reward from God while the sinner and unbeliever in God will be punished. The final chapter 51, contains a very beautiful prayer.
I will give thanks to you, Lord and King,
and praise you, God my saviour,
I gave thanks to your name;
for you have been protector and support to me,
and redeemed my body from destruction,
from the snare of the lying tongue,
from lips that fabricate falsehood;
and in the presence of those around me.......
And my plea was heard,
for you saved me from destruction,
you delivered me from that time of evil...
Come close to me, you uninstructed,
take your place in my school.
Why complain about lacking these things
when your souls are so thirsty for them?
I have opened my mouth and spoken:
Buy her without money,
put your necks under her yoke,
and let your souls receive intruction;
she is not far to seek.
See for yourselves: how slight my efforts have been
to win so much peace.
Buy instruction with a large sum of silver,
thanks to her you will gain much gold.
May your souls rejoice in the mercy of the Lord,
may you never be ashamed of praising him.
Do your work before the appointed time
and he in his time will give you your reward. - Chapter 51 -
BARUCH - This book is a collection of materials written during the period from 150 B.C. to 60 B.C. Set in the period of the prophet Jeremiah, it actually speaks to Jews who were living during the period of 142-63 B.C. It was originally written in Hebrew and later was translated into Greek.
Baruch contains a letter - 1:1-14 - a prayer-sermon - 1:15-3:8 - a hymn - 3:9-4:4 - and a lament - 4:5-5:9 - Jerusalem had fallen into the hands of the enemy but this book declared that God will not forget His people. The refrain, "Take heart, my children! Cry out to God and he will rescue you from tyranny and from the power of your enemies" echoes throughout Baruch.
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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