I’ve spent the past week reading large portions of the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha.  This refers to documents written by Jews between 200 BC and 100 AD that were generally ascribed to well-known biblical characters, such as Enoch, Moses, and Job.  I’m not going to share my thoughts on that now (or maybe ever), with one exception.  In both the Apocrypha and the Pseudepigrapha, I have been impressed with 1) how well the ancient writers knew Scripture; 2) how they interpreted it generally in line with conservative approaches today.  In other words, I didn’t read anyone suggesting that the sun didn’t stand still in Joshua’s day but that what really happened was ______ (you fill in the blank).

The last section of Sirach is a lengthy review of Israel’s history.  Think of Stephen’s speech in Acts 7, only longer.  If you read it only so that you can pick it apart by finding discrepancies with Scripture, you won’t enjoy it very much.  But if you read it with an eye to understanding how this wise man who lived much closer to the events than we do (c. 200 BC) interpreted Scripture, you might have some fun and gain some insights.  Here are a few things that I noted.

Concerning Joshua: Sirach 46:4 (NRSV) “Was it not through him that the sun stood still and one day become as long as two?”

If there was a literary device, it was long lost by Sirach’s time and he thought it meant what most who don’t deny supernatural events believe.

Concerning Samuel: Sirach 46:20 (NRSV) “Even after he had fallen asleep, he prophesied and made known to the king his death, and lifted up his voice from the ground in prophecy, to blot out the wickedness of the people.”

I’ve long thought that the witch wasn’t making it up.

Sirach 48:17 (NRSV) “Hezekiah fortified his city, and brought water into its midst; he tunneled the rock with iron tools, and built cisterns for the water.”

Hezekiah’s Tunnel even merits a mention here.  I have to think that it was still known in Sirach’s day.

Sirach 48:22-25 (NRSV) “For Hezekiah did what was pleasing to the Lord, and he kept firmly to the ways of his ancestor David, as he was commanded by the prophet Isaiah, who was great and trustworthy in his visions. 23 In Isaiah’s days the sun went backward, and he prolonged the life of the king. 24 By his dauntless spirit he saw the future, and comforted the mourners in Zion. 25 He revealed what was to occur to the end of time, and the hidden things before they happened.”

Several good things here, but don’t believe that bit about Isaiah seeing the future, ‘cuz we know that he really didn’t.  Later people like Jesus made his words mean something different.

Sirach 10:9 (NRSV) “How can dust and ashes be proud? Even in life the human body decays.”

Pride can only grow in the soil of forgetfulness; as soon as you remember who you are and what you are made of, pride dies.

Sirach 18:33 (NRSV) “Do not become a beggar by feasting with borrowed money, when you have nothing in your purse.”

This applies to college graduates who have school loans and nice cars.

Sirach 19:24 (NRSV) “Better are the God-fearing who lack understanding than the highly intelligent who transgress the law.”

Grades in seminary do not recognize this.

Sirach 20:12 (NRSV) “Some buy much for little, but pay for it seven times over.”

Did Sirach shop at K-mart?

Sirach has some advice on raising children:

Sirach 30:1 (NRSV) “He who loves his son will whip him often, so that he may rejoice at the way he turns out.”

Sirach 30:9 (NRSV) “Pamper a child, and he will terrorize you; play with him, and he will grieve you.”

And here are a couple of other things that I wouldn’t say either:

Sirach 31:21 (NRSV) “If you are overstuffed with food, get up to vomit, and you will have relief.”

Sirach 42:14 (NRSV) “Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good; it is woman who brings shame and disgrace.”

So maybe there is a reason that this book didn’t quite make the cut.  (Actually more thoughts about that soon…)

Remember, the author of Sirach is an old wise guy.  His picturesque language concerning the use of the tongue may help you to remember.

Sirach 11:7-8 (NRSV) “Do not find fault before you investigate; examine first, and then criticize. 8 Do not answer before you listen, and do not interrupt when another is speaking.”

How many times have you done this today?

Sirach 28:24-25 (NRSV) “As you fence in your property with thorns, so make a door and a bolt for your mouth. 25 As you lock up your silver and gold, so make balances and scales for your words.”

As we might say, put a lock on it.

Sirach 20:18 (NRSV) “A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue; the downfall of the wicked will occur just as speedily.”

Last year Kelli slipped on the pavement and broke her ankle.  It was horrible.

I told you before that Sirach is good and that you need to read it.  Have you yet?  I continue to recommend it to you with a few verses about success from a wise man who lived in Israel in 200 BC.  Words in italics are mine.

Sirach 9:11 (NRSV) “Do not envy the success of sinners, for you do not know what their end will be like.”

Well, we do know how much money Michael Jackson took to the grave and the kind of lifestyle Bernie Madoff will have until he dies.  But it wasn’t long ago that they were the envy of many.

Sirach 11:11 (NRSV) “There are those who work and struggle and hurry, but are so much the more in want.”

The hamster wheel may turn faster, but the destination never gets closer.

Sirach 11:25 (NRSV) “In the day of prosperity, adversity is forgotten, and in the day of adversity, prosperity is not remembered.”

What day are you in? Remember the other, and act accordingly.