Bible Study?20250118 Sir 8:1-19
Bible Study?20250118 Sir 8:1-19
Book of Wisdom of Yeshua Ben Sirach (Ben Sira)
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??New American Bible, Revised Edition. (Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011), Sir 1
??CHAPTER 8
Prudence in Dealing with Others*
1?Do not contend with the mighty,
lest you fall into their power.
2?Do not quarrel with the rich,
lest they pay out the price of your downfall.
For gold has unsettled many,
and wealth perverts the character of princes.a
3?Do not quarrel with loud-mouths,
or heap wood upon their fire.* b
4?Do not associate with the senseless,
lest your ancestors be insulted.
5?Do not reproach one who turns away from sin;c
remember, we all are guilty.*
6?Do not insult one who is old,
for some of us will also grow old.
7?Do not rejoice when someone dies;
remember, we are all to be gathered in.
8?Do not neglect the discourse of the wise,d
but busy yourself with their proverbs;
For in this way you will acquire the training
to stand in the presence of princes.
9?Do not reject the tradition of the elders
which they have heard from their ancestors;
For from it you will learn
how to answer when the need arises.
10?Do not kindle the coals of sinners,
lest you be burned in their flaming fire.
11?Do not give ground before scoundrels;
it will set them in ambush against you.*
12?Do not lend to one more powerful than yourself;
or if you lend, count it as lost.e
13?Do not give collateral beyond your means;
consider any collateral a debt you must pay.
14?Do not go to court against a judge,
for the case will be settled in his favor.
15?Do not travel with the ruthless
lest they weigh you down with calamity;
For they will only go their own way,
and through their folly you will also perish.
16?Do not defy the quick-tempered,
or ride with them through the desert.
For bloodshed is nothing to them;
when there is no one to help, they will destroy you.
17?Do not take counsel with simpletons,
for they cannot keep a confidence.
18?Before a stranger do nothing that should be kept secret,
for you do not know what it will produce later on.* f
19?Open your heart to no one,
do not banish your happiness. 1
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? The prudent will be circumspect, avoiding conflict with the powerful, the rich and insolent, the impious, the irascible, and judges (vv. 1–3, 10–12, 14, 16). They will not associate with the undisciplined (v. 4) or the ruthless (v. 15), with fools or strangers (vv. 17–19), but with the wise and the elders of the people (vv. 8–9). Caution is a recurring theme in Ben Sira.
a?a Sir 31:5–6; Dt 16:19.
b?b Prv 26:20–21.
c?c 1?Kgs 8:46; 1?Jn 1:8.
? We all are guilty: cf. 1?Kgs 8:46; 2?Chr 6:36; Jb 25:4; Eccl 7:20; Rom 3:9–10; 5:12; 1?Jn 1:8.
d?d Sir 6:34–36.
? Giving in to the wicked only encourages them to take advantage.
e?e Sir 29:4–7; Prv 17:18.
? To keep a secret, or a confidence, is a major concern of Ben Sira; cf. 1:30; 22:22; 27:16–21; 37:10; 42:1.
f?f Prv 25:9–10.
1?New American Bible, Revised Edition (Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011), Sir 8.
Revelation From God
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Author
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The author of Sirach is self identified in Sirach 50:27 "Instruction in understanding and knowledge I have written in this book, Jesus son of Eleazar son of Sirach of Jerusalem, whose mind poured forth wisdom." But most know him by his common name as Ben Sira. His grandson transcribes the book from Hebrews to Greek.
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Date
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Sirach is believed to be oral tradition of more than 30 years that the Grandson son transcribes. The original work by Ben Sira is believed to be completed around 180BC and the Grandson completing the transcription around 132 BC.
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Structure
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Sirach is written in several literary forms including proverbs, hymns, prayers, and teaching narratives, (almost like a parable).?We must keep these in mind when reading through Sirach.
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We must also keep in mind that the text takes a gendered, heterosexual perspective regarding the acquisition and benefits of wisdom, which is feminine both in Hebrew (h.okma) and Greek (sophia). Sirach Sir 4:14?"Those who serve her minister to the Holy One; the Lord loves those who love her. Sir 4:15?Those who obey her will judge the nations, and all who listen to her will live secure." Both occupations described, the priest and judge, belong to men in second century Palestine. Wisdom is also the mother whom teaches her sons how to prosper (Clifford 326). We must keep in mind that Ben Sira views the Holy Spirit, (Wisdom) in a feminine manner, with all the attributes of a Female, Gal 5:22?But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gal 5:23?gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Gal 5:24?Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal 5:25?If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Rom 8:1-12 !!!! This is the goal of Ben Sira that we walk by the Spirit!!!!
Sir 8 which stands for (8) A new beginning in Christ Jesus, 2 Cor 5:17-21, Eph 4:1-32, or {(2) YHWH the Son, Christ Jesus, Yeshua Joh 1:1-5, Rev 22:1-5, times (4) YHWH the Church, Qahal, Ecclesia, Joh 10:30-38, John 14:1-31, John 15:1-27, John 17:20-26}!!!! It has (1) pericope, (Theological Idea), YHWH the Father, YHWH Ab, Gen 1:1, Exo 3:14-17, Ex 20:1-11, Lev 18:1-6, Lev 22:30-33!!!! There are (19) verses whose sum is (10) whose sum is (1) YHWH the Father, YHWH, Ge 1:1, Rev 22:13, ?and is the embodiment of the perfect fulfillment of the Law Mat 5:17-20, Rom 13:8-10, Christ Jesus in You 2 Co 5:17-21, Eph 4:1-32.?(19) is the product of (4) YHWH the Church, YHWH Qahal, Ecclesia, Wis 2:23, Eze 1:1-28, Eze 10:1-22, Eze 40:1-49, times (4) YHWH the Church, YHWH Qahal, Ecclesia 1 Co 3:16, 1 Co 6:12-20, 1 Co 12:1-31, 2 Co 5:17-21, 2 Co 6:14-18 plus (3) YHWH The Holy Spirit, YHWH Ruach Wis 1:1-15, Wis 3:9, Wis 6:17-20, Wis 7:22-30 !!!!
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Purpose
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The over all purpose of Sirach is to demonstrate to Jews and Gentiles that wisdom comes from God and not Athens or Jerusalem. God is the source of all wisdom and God gives wisdom to all whom seek it, Jews and Gentiles alike. Col1:9!!!
The Purpose of Sirach 8 is to teach us how to listen and obey the Lord and live righteously for Him Pro3:5-6, Psa25:4-5, Psa86:11!!!?
Exegesis / Hermeneutical
Application
YHWH, teach me to seek and share Your wisdom, understanding, knowledge, in all manner of workmanship, teach me to seek Godly counsel and fellowship that we sharpen one another in THEOPHILUS at all times. In YHWH Yeshua Holy and precious name I pray and I claim this petition Amen Amen Amen Amen !!!!
Conclusion
Sirach 8 teaches us how to listen and obey the Lord and live righteously for Him Pro3:5-6, Psa25:4-5, Psa86:11!!!
Bible Study Question
How do you live righteously for God??
For myself, I need my daily prayer, meditation, and study time, if I am not with God daily I feel lost, and I do not mean just a few minutes, I need hours with God. I love growing daily in God and learning how better to share God's Love, Grace and Mercy with all, Mat22:39, 1Jn4:20-21!!!