Today’s Old Testament reading is from the Book of Sirach, a book that Protestant denominations consider apocryphal. It was written by Joshua ben Sirach about 200 BC. It is one of the Wisdom Books, containing teachings about divinity and virtue.
As we start this passage in verse 30, the author Joshua speaks to us about controlling our anger. This is one emotion that Scripture continually warns us to learn to control. Numerous Proverbs are dedicated to this same topic, such as Proverbs 19:19 and Proverbs 27:4. How many fights have ended up with tragic results because of uncontrolled anger? Wrath is a step beyond anger, letting anger blow into rage and fury. Many people don’t want to make any effort to control their anger. As the verse says, they “hug it tight”. They feel they are justified in getting angry, that the other person was wrong. Their rights were trampled on, and thus, they have every right to explode. This is not the way a Christian, a follower of the Lord Jesus, should act. This is something God wants His children to control for their own good, the good of others, and also for a better testimony to unbelievers. It’s not very convincing for a believer to give a Gospel witness to someone, and then a few minutes later be seen exploding in anger!
In verse 1 of Chapter 28, Joshua the son of Sirach writes that the Lord will take vengeance on the vengeful, those who are seeking to harm us for some perceived injury. Again, this is a verse whose message we see in other parts of Scripture. Moses wrote in the Book of Deuteronomy how vengeance belongs to God (Deuteronomy 32:35). Paul repeats this in his Epistle to the church in Rome. He instructs believers to not take vengeance into their own hands, but leave it to God (Romans 12:19). God knows their sins, and He will take care of it.
Verse 2 is something that is repeated quite plainly in the Gospels by Jesus, Himself. We read here in this verse that when we go to pray, we are first to forgive others for any wrongs they committed against us. When we do that, God will forgive us of our own sins. Jesus repeated this thought immediately following teaching His disciples the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:14-15. He also repeated this in Mark 11:25-26. Forgiveness of others is to be a hallmark of believers and followers of Jesus.
As we continue our reading, Joshua, son of Sirach, tells us in verses 3 - 5, that if we do not have mercy on others, are unforgiving and filled with anger, how can we expect anything from the Lord? This idea was elaborated on in one of the parables of Jesus, the parable of the unjust servant, in Matthew 18:23-35. In this parable one servant of the king was forgiven a huge debt by the king. Then he immediately goes out and finds a fellow servant who owes him a small sum. When that servant could not immediately pay, the first servant had him thrown in prison. He had no mercy on others, notwithstanding having been shown abundant mercy by the king. Jesus instructs us that we are to be free and giving in showing mercy on all others, because He has bestowed much mercy on us. This is the idea that our author is giving us here in these verses.
Our Scripture passage closes in verses 6 - 7, with a reminder to remember that our last days are coming. With this in mind, we should put away all hostility and ill-will that we might be holding against others. He tells us that death is coming one day to each of us, and that knowing this, we should stop following the ways of sin. This is a good reminder to us. Most of us don’t like to think of the fact that one day, unless Jesus comes first, we will all die. This present life isn’t all that there is, and compared with all of eternity, this life is just a drop in the bucket. The “pleasures of sin” are fleeting, and eternity is forever. Joshua ben Sirach reminds us to keep that in mind, and not forget the Most High, His covenant, and His commands.
Wise words.
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