Sirach: Its Relevance to Jesus' Teaching and Christian Spirituality

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SIMON55

Active member
Feb 15, 2019
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MO,OK,AR
#81
Did he? During His ministry years, the Bible and Jesus tell us this:

John 7
14 When it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach.
15 The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?
16 So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

If He actually entered into rabbinical studies with one of Hillel's disciples (for instance) .. perhaps even with Hillel's grandson, Gamaliel .. then why would the teachers have asked/wondered what they did about Him (in v15)? .. and why would Jesus have said what He did (in v16)?

No doubt in choosing to temporarily set aside the full use of some of His Divine attributes (such as omniscience) .. Philippians 2:5-8, He, as a now human Child (as you just pointed out), needed to grow physically & mentally & spiritually ~but~ .. did He do so under the tutelage and "wisdom" of men, or under the tutelage His Father and the HS ... just like He told us that He did?


So, it's your belief that Jesus was listening to what they had to say and asking them questions for 'His' benefit, rather than for theirs (that He needed them to teach Him about God, His word and His ways)? It's possible I suppose (but how can we know :unsure:). Then again:

Luke 2
47 All who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.


Does it? Do you also believe that the, "spotless Lamb of God", dishonored His parents .. even once? If He did, could He still rightly be understood to be innocent? Rather, I find this exchange to be both telling and amazing (as Jesus Himself seemed amazed at His parents' reaction and lack of understanding, as well).

Luke 2
49 He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
50 But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.


A Jewish "wisdom" teacher??

I am sure that He was familiar with the non-Biblical wisdom literature of the day (that was written between the end of the OT and the beginning of the NT), but neither He nor the Apostles quoted any of it (nor did they say things like, "it is written" about any of it). Fortunately, the "wisdom" that He brought us in the Bible was from a much higher Source (y)(y) than that which is contained in the Apocrypha.

The Jews taught/believed that they had two inspired sources from God/through Moses that were binding upon their hearts/consciences to draw upon, the "written" Torah, and the "oral" Torah (this belief is remarkably similar to that of the Roman Catholic Church and what they teach about their "Tradition", save the fact that it came through Moses).

It should also be noted concerning the Jewish (oral) "Tradition" that Jesus had things like this to say about it:

Matthew 7
6 He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS,
BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.
7 ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,
TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’
8 “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”
9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.
10 “For Moses said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER’; and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH’;
11 but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’
12 you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother;
13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

Sirach seems to have a number of wise sayings in it, and some of what it says may have even be "inspired" (so to speak) by the words of the Bible, but I believe that Sirach remains, nevertheless, nothing more than the words and wisdom of men, ~not~ the breathed/inspired words of God Himself. Like other wisdom literature of the day, some of the statements made in Sirach line up with the Scriptures (or at least do not directly contradict what the Bible has to say), but it does contain heretical statements as well, statements that contradict, and therefore invalidate, the word of God (it should also be quickly noted that Sirach was never part of Jewish oral or written Tradition).

~Deut
p.s. - again, one of the problems with all of the Apocryphal books/literature is that while some of the teaching found there may not contradict/invalidate what the Bible says and may, in fact, repeat what the OT says word for word, or come close to doing so anyway (cf honoring one's parents can result in a prolonged life, for instance), it also teaches .. sometimes within the very same passage .. heresy (that obviously does contradict what the Bible says).

Where, for instance, does that Bible, OT or New, even insinuate that honoring one's parents is a way that our sins can be atoned for? (or in a lesser way, that a blessing will come from our parents as a kind of payment for doing what the Bible commands us to do?)


Sirach 3
1 Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.​
2 For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.​
3 Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins.​
4 And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.​
5 Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.​
6 He that honoureth his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother.​
7 He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.​
8 Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them.​
9 For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations.​
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Informative post 😀
But......ya know.....he could have read their stuff in his spare time......like a comic book......lol...to note the errors in there ways.....😀😀😀😀😀
 

MadHermit

Junior Member
May 8, 2018
388
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#82
Nehemiah: "PURE SPECULATION AND NONSENSE."
On the contrary, it is established by significant parallels in contemporary parables and Jewish writings. You are ducking the evidenee for the scholarly consensus I cite.

Neheniah: "I guess you have ignored the fact that the boy Jesus was teaching the teachers.
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. (Luke 2:46,47)

Rubbish! Jesus needed to learn by listening and had to ask questions to educate himself. Luke is saying no more than that Jesus was rather impressive for a 12-year-old. Josephus makes a similar claim about how impressive he as a 12-year old. In fact, Mary rightly scolds Jesus for deserting the Galilean entourage on the long walk (60 miles) home from Jerusalem without having the courtesy to inform them about where He was going. As a result, Jesus' unthoughful decision forced a desperately anxious 3-day search to track the boy down. The family feared that he had gotten lost and was the victim of a crime. Reflecting on this immature act, Luke consoles himself with the observation, "Well, Jesus grew in wisdom... and favor with God." Jesus was fully human and, like all humans, He had to learn by trial and error. But a boy's learning curve in itself does not imply sinfulness.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
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#85
Who here believes our Savior needed a teacher in any regard? If His Twelve, though uneducated, spoke in all known languages by the Holy Spirit, and all knew they were uneducate men, how much more their ow leader and God knew and knows all for He is the Maker of all that is, including knowledge that is important and wisdom?
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
6,722
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#87
It seems oft times we are accosted by individuals who do not read the Word, that is, what they pretend to be capable of discussing. It is either this or they do not understand much of what is written Either way they should not put their chins out so far. It can only lead to their own hurt. God bless them and all, amen.
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#88
garee: "Why would Jesus pick up the private interpretation of another when he himself was the interpretation of God clothed with temporal flesh? (the word became flesh covered)."

FIrst, because the evidence demonstrates that Jesus did learn from His Jewish heritage and surrounding teachers.
Second, because He was fully human and therefore limited in knowledge and wisdom. True, He received prophetic revelation from the Father. But He also incorporated the best of available parables and Jewish insights (e. g. in Sirach) into His own teaching.
No such evidence. Looks like someone is trying to widen the authority of God's word.

Christ is the word of God he has the wisdom of God. He received prophetic revelation from the Father fr m birth . He was not born with a temporal corrupted Spirit .. It is His mind that we are to let know by ours. We have the mind of Christ. Not the mind of some Rabbi.
 

MadHermit

Junior Member
May 8, 2018
388
145
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#89
I know of no Bible scholar, conservative or liberal, who disagrees with me. My claims on this thread are a respond to this typical seminary dialogue I heard from my solidly evangelical Fuller professors:
Student: "But I can't teach that to my congregation!"
Professor; "You must! They really need to hear it!"
Student: "No, I can't; I might lose my job!"

And so it is that much seminary learning is suppressed to keep the flock in darkness at the expense of avoiding controversy.
No one has an answer to the texts from God's Word that I have posted in my defense. Posters really need to meditate on the reasons why Jesus' family was disillusioned with His public ministry and teaching after He received the Holy Spirit at His baptism. They knew Him best and had witnessed how ordinarily human he was as a boy growing up and as a carpenter. He emptied Himself" of His divine prerogatives to become fully human. Precisely for that reason He is an excellent and authentic model for faith! One of the reasons I worship Him and love Him so much is that He has experienced life with the same limitations that I have, and yet, overcome all obstacles to His redemptive mission. Don't ruin your testimon to non-Christians by making Jesus out to be an inhuman cartoon superhero!
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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#90
Posters really need to meditate on the reasons why Jesus' family was disillusioned with His public ministry and teaching after He received the Holy Spirit at His baptism. They knew Him best and had witnessed how ordinarily human he was as a boy growing up
Again, why does God have to demonstrate omnipotent power and omniscient wisdom to men else His divinity is called into question?
Why is the measure of His godhood whether unbelieving humans comprehend who He is?

Matthew 16:17
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

All you've shown is that to certain humans, flesh and blood did not reveal Him. However to another human, the only testimony he required to believe was that Christ had seen him under a fig tree.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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#91
Don't ruin your testimon to non-Christians by making Jesus out to be an inhuman cartoon superhero!
Don't ruin yours by making Him out to be nothing more than a man with strong willpower and noble aims.

He is fully human and fully divine.
God is never not God
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#92
I know of no Bible scholar, conservative or liberal, who disagrees with me. My claims on this thread are a respond to this typical seminary dialogue I heard from my solidly evangelical Fuller professors:
Student: "But I can't teach that to my congregation!"
Professor; "You must! They really need to hear it!"
Student: "No, I can't; I might lose my job!"

The Son of man who informed us His flesh profits for nothing it the unsen spirt that does give no spirt life to His born again children

I know of no Bible scholar, conservative or liberal, who disagrees with me. My claims on this thread are a respond to this typical seminary dialogue I heard from my solidly evangelical Fuller professors:

Student: "But I can't teach that to my congregation!"

Professor; "You must! They really need to hear my private interpretation .it could be like what Peter performed when he rebuked Christ. Forbidding Jesus from doing the will of the father. and Jesus said to Peter.. you liar get under my authority in respect to the unseen things of God and not in respect to the things seen of men .Peter was forgiven of his blasphemy .Today that would not be possible it cannot be forgiven

Student: "No, I can't; I might lose my job!"

Professor; "You must! you might lose your teacher.

We are warned in 1 John 2 of those who say a man seen must teach us rather than us walking by faith the eternal not seen .

Jesus when approached as good master refused to blaspheme the name of the father not seen. He said only God not seen is good. And he reminds us just as we are to call not man father on earth because one is in heaven not seen... the same applies to Master Teacher Rabbi one is our Master in heaven. We are taught by the father the unseen. I would be careful on how you hear other men"s private interptation .
 

MadHermit

Junior Member
May 8, 2018
388
145
43
#93
posthuman: "Again, why does God have to demonstrate omnipotent power and omniscient wisdom to men else His divinity is called into question? Why is the measure of His godhood whether unbelieving humans comprehend who He is?"

As usual, you miss the point: if His own family who grew up with Him and knew Him best don't buy His Messiah number, then this implies that their verdict on His public ministry and teaching is based on the Jesus they knew for His first 30+ years. You know virtually noting of those "hidden years," but they had a front row seat! And nothing in His pre-baptism life gave credibility to what they were hearing about His messianic reputation now. In other words, they saw His all--too--human limitations in full and obvious display!
Jesus needed to receive the Holy Spirit at His baptism in order to receive divine power for His miracle ministry. Prior to that, He apparently performed no miracles and couldn't even prevent Joseph from dying before Jesus began His adult ministry. His divine nature did not in itself give Him unique abilities to perform miracles because He had "emptied Himself" of His divine prerogatives to become fully human.

postghuman: "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

You forget that Peter's confession only acknowledges Jesus' potential as a very human political liberator. So Peter can't countenance the thought of Jesus' martyr death. That's why Jesus has to rebuke Peter with the words: "Get behind me, Satan!"
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#94
posthuman: "Again, why does God have to demonstrate omnipotent power and omniscient wisdom to men else His divinity is called into question? Why is the measure of His godhood whether unbelieving humans comprehend who He is?"
Why the measure? A demonstration or a shadow to the world informing them that God is not served by human hands .He moves them but is not served some Rabbi hands who makes themselves equal with the working of the Holy Spirit .Our one teacher, comforter and the one who brings to our mind that in which he has taught us.

God demonstrated the things unseen things of faith by the use of the things seen .2 Corinthians 4:18 we look to the unseen not the flesh of men. It is a spiritual work. .Jesus said of his own flesh it profits for nothing .Some did know him after the flesh like faithless Thomas but when he left he left clear advice we know him after the flesh no more forever more. 2 Corinthians 5:16

God is not a man as us a neither is there any infallible fleshly umpires that is set between God and man called a days man. Which you are describing as another authority other than the word of God. Making his tradition of ominetpitannce with effect because Jesus must have the approval of men even though he has the mind of God.

As usual, you miss the point: if His own family who grew up with Him and knew Him best don't buy His Messiah number, then this implies that their verdict on His public ministry and teaching is based on the Jesus they knew for His first 30+ years. You know virtually noting of those "hidden years," but they had a front row seat! And nothing in His pre-baptism life gave credibility to what they were hearing about His messianic reputation now. In other words, they saw His all--too--human limitations in full and obvious display!
To show God resists familiarity with the creature. He was not welcome in his own home town. Many times throughout the scriptures that was according to the will of God as the hand of God revealed.

We do not look to that which was concealed or what some call missing years. The scholars were amazed and wondered where did he receive that knowledge? Not knowing he was born with it.

Jesus needed to receive the Holy Spirit at His baptism in order to receive divine power for His miracle ministry. Prior to that, He apparently performed no miracles and couldn't even prevent Joseph from dying before Jesus began His adult ministry. His divine nature did not in itself give Him unique abilities to perform miracles because He had "emptied Himself" of His divine prerogatives to become fully human.
The Holy Spirit needed the witness of man to show he had the Holy Spirit. He had already as the high priest continual with beginning without nature. Now coming from the tribe of Judah came to fulfil the role of Melchedik. John the Baptist a Levite is used as the last .Levite. God gave it over gave over the reign to a kingdom of priests. The water baptism in John 3:25 sets the stage for the new manner of priesthood.

Hebrews 5:6As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 6:20Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 7:1-3 King James Version (KJV) For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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#95
Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightnes of the glory, and the ingraued forme of His person
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,954
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#96
posthuman: "Again, why does God have to demonstrate omnipotent power and omniscient wisdom to men else His divinity is called into question? Why is the measure of His godhood whether unbelieving humans comprehend who He is?"

As usual, you miss the point: if His own family who grew up with Him and knew Him best don't buy His Messiah number, then this implies that their verdict on His public ministry and teaching is based on the Jesus they knew for His first 30+ years.
if i could just quote exactly the same thing you quoted --

"why is the measure of His godhood whether unbelieving humans comprehend who He is?"

-- and if i could point out that you accused me of missing the point, and immediately did exactly what you accused me of: you replied to my questioning the logic of an argument by avering exactly the argument i questioned. your defense of the argument is congruent to, 'because you say so'
you say, they didn't recognize that He was God, therefore He wasn't: you put their testimony as tho it is axiomatically true. His divinity becomes, in your rhetoric, subject to the perception of humanity - in particular, a subset of humanity who were demonstrably ignorant of His true person and purpose.
this being the case, please consider what i have already quoted to you twice, Matthew 13:54, in which these very same people, whose testimony you hold sacrosanct, were amazed, wondering how He ever got such wisdom -- the clear implication being that they were completely unaware of Him ever studying what you call '
wisdom literature,' for example, Sirach. they ask 'where did this man get such wisdom?' because in their ignorance and disbelief, they have no basis to comprehend how He - 'the carpenter's son?' - could possibly be in possession of such teaching.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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#97
Jesus when approached as good master refused to blaspheme the name of the father not seen. He said only God not seen is good.
are you saying then, according to your interpretation, Jesus is not good?

is Jesus good?
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,954
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#98
Informative post 😀
But......ya know.....he could have read their stuff in his spare time......like a comic book......lol...to note the errors in there ways.....😀😀😀😀😀
hmm that is not the reason why i read comic books . . . :unsure:
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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why should i assume "couldn't" just because He didn't?
perhaps the most important question:

I AM the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die;
and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die.
Do you believe this?
(John 11:25-26)