Sessions 221: Sirach 7-51 - “An Incredible Handbook For Everyday Living!”

Written in Hebrew 200-175 BC by “Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach” (51:27).

Translated into Greek after 132 BC by “Jesus’ Grandson”.

Written before “Wisdom”, did not envision afterlife as other than the “netherworld”.

Deuterocanonical, because it extolled temple worship and did not show belief in the Resurrection of the Body. (By 90 A.D., the temple had been destroyed and the pharisees, who believed in the resurrection, were in control).

It is a “Handbook of Practical Living”.
Duties toward God (Ch 2)
Duties toward Parents (Ch 3)
Humility (Ch 3)
Discipline (Mentioned 11 times)
Almsgiving
Choosing friendship (Ch 6, 11, 13)
Conduct in public life (Ch 7)
Dealing with economic circumstances
Self-Control
Speech (22, 23)
Chastity (26,23)
Forgiveness (28)
Training Children (30)
Table Etiquette (!!) (31)

Chapters 42- 43: Praise of God’s creation (sun, moon, stars etc.)

Chapters 44-50: Praise of Israel’s great ancestors (Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, David, Samuel, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Simon – the high priest at the time Sirach was written)

Chapter 51 – A beautiful “Thank you” to God.

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