Please read through a portion of any of the Deuterocanonical books, the books included in Catholic and Greek Orthodox Bibles but not ususally included in Protestant Bibles. I recommend especially Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), but the other books are worth looking at as well.Note what you find particularly interesting in the selection you read. Would you ever read through the Deuterocanonicals on your own? Why, or why not?
18 comments:
I read the first eleven chapters in the book of Sirach. The entire book seems to be a lesson on living life. Sirach doesn’t tell a story or give a history lesson. The author doesn’t use parables either. The book is just full of proverbs on how to live life. I found this interesting, and I like that about it. I always thought of the bible as a guide, but have always had problems understanding parables. This book is straightforward. I would read this book on my own, and probably will someday finish it.
Sirach chapter 1
6 To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known her wise counsels?
I have read three books on wisdom recently that have quoted a lot of text from Sirach.
I do not have the catholic bible at home, (I thought I did) but I am definitley going to purchase one. Some of the things that he says are great and well worth the read.
To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed and who has known her wise council?
I pray above all things that I will know her wise council.
I preached a sermon this Sunday on wisdom. One of the most interesting connections that I have made recently about wisdom has to do with her 7 pillars. I have tied these 7 pillars to the spirit that rested on Jesus in Isaiah 11, the gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Cor. 12, and the 7 spirits that issue forth from the throne of God in Rev 1 and Rev 4.
Who has heard her call and how shall receive of her ministry?
She waits to fill us with all the gifts of God. These indwelling gifts are the foundation of her dwelling place which she gave to Jesus and also gives to us.
Donna Baskins
The Prayer of Mannasseh is a very interesting book that deals with asking for God's forgiveness and repentance. The prayer asks humbly for the forgiveness of sins because God will forgive if a person repents despite the fact that people don't deserve it. God knows we are a sinful people that have committed more sins than there are "number of the sands of the sea." (Manasseh). That is why he is merciful when we ask Him humbly for forgiveness.
Another passage I read was the Epistle of Jeremiah Chapter 6. This goes on about idols and why they are no good. "[36] They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty. [37] They cannot restore a blind man to his sight, nor help any man in his distress. [38] They can shew no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless." Idols are useless because they are made of mortal hands and they are no substitute for worshiping the real God.
Finally, in looking at Sirach, I found this passage in Chapter 16:1-3, "[1] Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons. [2] Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them. [3] Trust not thou in their life, neither respect their multitude: for one that is just is better than a thousand; and better it is to die without children, than to have them that are ungodly." So, in other words, parents should raise their child or children in the right way rather than have an abundance of children that are
ungodly and evil. The parents are judged by their children and this passage indicates that parents with one good child are better than parents with multiple evil children.
I probably would read these on my own because they are interesting selections that build upon the concepts in the Bible.
As I read Ecclesiasticus, I was impressed at the amount of practical knowledge and useful proverbs, but I found it slightly odd that there was not a thesis or some major point. Although, I can see the intended effects of the list, it seemed to be an unconnected relationship between each proverb. Furthermore, I liked how he described the divine wisdom. Wisdom is eternal and it not only exists, but it is always present. Ecclesiasticus illustrates wisdom as self created and it is a quality handed down from God. More importantly, I found the passage, “The fear of the Lord brings honour, pride, cheerfulness, and joy and long life” quite interesting. For me, it inspired a sense of foreboding and obviously a sense of omnipotence and greatness. It clearly presents the force of God the Almighty.
There is an obvious division in Ecclesiasticus. First, a commentary on wisdom and her divine greatness and second an obvious shift to a focus on personal triumph and betterment. I felt that many of the wisdom contained in the document is essential today and it would be beneficial to everybody. For example, proverbs such as, “If you love to listen you will gain knowledge, and if you incline your ear you will become wise”, “When you gain a friend, gain him through testing, and do not trust him hastily” and “A faithful friend is an elixir of life; and those who fear the Lord will find him” were some of my favorite. Furthermore, I found it interesting to see how Sirach developed inspiration and faith in the Lord through questions. For example, Sirach asks, “Consider the past generations and see: was anyone who trusted the Lord ever disappointed? was anyone who stood firm in the fear of him ever deserted? did he ever neglect anyone who prayed to him?” He makes an obvious point and illustrates the Lord’s power and grace. It helps conquer doubts about the Lord’s power and presence which was very helpful for me. It allows me to understand the Lord’s presence in every day life and prove His existence.
Kirsten Saunders
I have read all of the Deuterocanical books in Catholic bible before (I myself being Catholic and curious as to the extra books) While Judith and Tobit are by far my favorites, there is something to be said about Sirach. It reminded me of Proverbs and Psalms. It has wisdom and knowledge that lasts above time ("My son, when you come to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials." Sirach 2:1) along with praises and repents ("With all your strength, love your Creator, forsake not his ministers" Sirach 7:30).
I find that it is possible the reason why the Jews felt these books necessary to save was because it is in part a piece of their history- their culture that they did not want to lose. Even if they are not inspired by God, they show morals, traits, virtues that the Jewish people upheld and strived to live by.
"12 Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands." From the book of wisdom. I find this passage important because I see it as message to people to not commit suicide or torture themselves at the moment of failure.
You are going to make many mistakes throughout your life and there will be several failures that you will have to deal with. Just because you have failed at something does not mean you are a terrible person and deserve to die. People who are thinking suicide should read this passage.
Alex Mason
this book really gets you thinking about life and the lessons to be learned along the way...
Kanova williams
I read chapter 20 in the Sirach and I liked the use of short and sweet type sayings. These exact messages of watching one's actions and what one says are found in the Bible but are much easier to remember. I would definitely read this book. I enjoy finding saying that are useful and/or clever to read. These sayings are just that. I liked the practicality as well. In a less biblical sense the book reminds me of a Poor Richard's Almanac, full of catchy, simple sensible advice.
epistle of Jeremiah. The one thing i found interesting was Jeremiah keep referring to all the statues as not gods so dont fear them. I kind of got the sense that he was trying to tell the people that these statues were just a way for the priest of these gods to pad there pocket books and get money to better life. Would i read these books i read some of sirach and the epistle of jeremiah and both were very interesting the book of sirach had god wisdom on how one should live there life so to answer the question yes i think i would read them on my own.
dave potts
The major things that I have with the Deuterocanonicals is that they seem more like proverb books then anything else. I agree alot with what Isaac said as far as they are far more straightforward then the other books of the bible.
John Schirado
I would have to agree with what Downey mentioned. I come from a Catholic background so i am a little familiar with the books. I am particularly found of the book Sirach for reasons already mentioned, but the main idea is that is a book filled with wisdom and knowledge for how to live life. It reminds me of a moral guide oh daily living in the form of proverbs and psalms. the reason why it is easy to keep on reading is because the context is all straight forward. of course i will try to sample each of these "special" books just because all writing that has been preserved through time is usually worth taking a look at. Plus, it is easy to see that reading books like sirach can help one learn how to live and know God.
Kyle
I read the prayer of Azariah. This story reminds me of the story in Daniel about Nebuchadnezzar who tries to burn some men who will not worship idols into a furnace but they do not get burned.
Margaret Schiley
After class last week Thursday, I was interested in reading Tobit, so that is the book that I chose to read. I found this story very interesting and one thing that struck me to be the most interesting is Tobit and Sarah's prayer for death and then the answer to the prayer. I would choose to read this story, because it shows that your prayers can be answered in a very entertaining way. I really liked this story.
Kellie Heier
I read some of the book of Wisdom. I found it particularly interesting, and I enjoyed reading the passages. I think they have an especially good message about death and that it can be just, rather than a bad thing. I probably would not have read this on my own, but now that I started it I wouldn't mind finishing it. I think it is beautifully written.
Alyson Guthrie
I like the description of salvation given for the person who follows God in Deuteronomy Ch. 28. As a historian, I would read whatever was laid in front of me simply because knowledge is power. Much of what people read is fiction and cannot be proven but I prefer to let them make that assessment.
i read through random portions of sirach. the book seems to be written with good intensions but at times i think it can seem some what cynical. i think that it tries to set the bar high at times, almost too high. it tries to say that you almost have to be perfect to gain acceptence. it says at times that temptation is the highest form of evil, but i think that it is god. it test people and at times it can be good to give in to temtation.
I found Sirach a confusing book. What I got from it though, that no matter how rich you are or wise you are, you still end at the same place. The author also views God is eternal.
One conclusion I got from reading it, was that one must learn to appreciate life, because if you don't, it doesn't matter what you do with it.
Kevin Dahlberg
Don't forget Orthodox Bibles as well.
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