Introduction to the Book of Sirach

After several years of silence in this blog space, I'm rising out of the mist again to share with you excerpts from a book of the Biblical Apocrypha. As a former Roman Catholic, I grew up with the Apocrypha as part of Scripture, but when I moved to the Protestant side of the aisle, I lost track of these fascinating writings. I'm learning that most Protestants, including UU Christians, are unfamiliar with this text.

My Christian Fellowship is now reading and reflecting on Ecclesiasticus, or the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach, or the Book of Sirach, or The Instruction of Ben Sira. As you see, it has many names due to its creation in Hebrew and subsequent translation to Greek and Latin. The writing and the advice of this book have caught my attention, and I felt a strong call to share it with you.

Ben Sira, the author, has been described as a scribe, that is, a Jewish teacher of the Law. Scribes were known to study the Torah and re-interpret it for the general public. Ben Sira was considered to be a wise and perceptive teacher who established a school, and his book of wisdom was read and widely used as a handbook in educational settings. He wrote between 200 and 180 BCE.

Later, in 132 BCE, his grandson (unnamed) translated the text into Greek and admits bringing some of his own stamp to the text since "...the fact is that there is no equivalent for things originally written in Hebrew when it is a question of translating them into another language;" (Sirach Foreward:21-22) Good to remember in any day and age. The grandson also says he undertook this project "for the benefit of those too who, domiciled abroad, wish to study, to reform their behavior, and to live as the Law requires." (Sirach Forward: 34-35)

What strikes me most as I read Sirach is the ability of the author to use a variety of literary forms to present the core wisdom of the Law of Moses and Proverbs, a combination that he refers to as "the fear of the Lord". The phrase "the fear of the Lord" refers not only to the Old Testament scripture, but also to the underlying principles of daily living. I prefer a suggested alternate translation "the awe of the Lord", but the thought is the same. Live with a healthy respect for the divine power and creativity that contains mysterious, unknown elements.

Sirach gives us the answer to the questions, "So what does life look like under the Law of Moses? How should I act?" He provides examples, poems, stories and experiences to show us how to live.

So moving forward, I'm going to drop some pearls from the Wisdom of Sirach onto this blog. Let's see what we both learn.

For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction,
and what pleases him is faithfulness and gentleness. (Sirach 1:27-28)

Friendship

I just got back from a week visiting my sister-of-the-heart in Alabama. I've heard several writers and speakers talk about the different types of friends we have in our lives. In one of these descriptions, we can have "Friends for a Reason, Friends for a Season, and Friends for Life." I've know this friend for over 25 years, and we are definitely friends for life. We bonded during two years shared in Kansas and when our families separated, we promised each other that we would visit at least once every year. During this year's visit, we compiled a "Visit Journal", recording the dates, locations and memories of all our visits. We discovered that we had missed only one calendar year, but there were many years when we were able to arrange more than one visit.

I have as many reasons as there are stars to feel blessed by this friendship.

So today, I share a few verses from Proverbs because nobody says it better.

A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity. (17:17)

Some friends play at friendship, but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. (18:24)

One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disuputes will alienate a friend. (17:9)

Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts, but profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (27:6)

And I close with that powerful verse from John (and for this, I love King James):

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.(15:13)

If you have a friend like this, give thanks this day. If you do not, give thanks for the friends for a reason or a season that you do have and keep your heart open for that friend for life.

May it be so. Amen.