The Salesman

A merchant can hardly avoid doing wrong; every salesman is guilty of sin. -Sirach 26:29 (GNT)

Having just bought a new car a few months ago, I remember the experience and know exactly what he is talking about when he writes this!

Anger.

Don't be angry with someone for every little thing he does wrong. Don't do anything out of injured pride. -Sirach 10:6 (GNT)

Anger is so much more destructive than we may realize. Sure, we can all see from time to time how it hurts others and there are always those times when we wish we could take something back that we said or did. Aside from that, which is bad enough, are the times when we hurt ourselves. Anger is like a cancer, that when left unattended, can spread and cause a serious threat to our health and well being. Even if were you to discount anything you read in the Apocrypha, the fact remains that the Bible has a lot to say about anger. 

We would be wise to heed what the Bible has to say in Psalm 37:8 (CEB):

Let go of anger and leave rage behind!

    Don’t get upset—it will only lead to evil.

Practical advice from Sirach 7:1-17 (CEB):

1 Don’t do evil things,
and evil will never catch up with you.
² Keep your distance from anything unjust, and it will turn away from you.
³ Don’t sow in furrows of injustice,
    and you won’t reap
    evil things sevenfold.
⁴ Don’t seek political power from the Lord
    or a seat of honor from the king.
⁵ Don’t justify yourself
in the Lord’s presence,
    and don’t make a show of your wisdom
    with a king.
⁶ Don’t aspire to become a judge;
        you might not be strong enough
        to get rid of injustice.
    Perhaps you will be too cautious
    in the presence of a powerful person
        and bring a scandal on your good name.
⁷ Don’t sin against a city’s inhabitants,
    and don’t bring yourself down
    in their estimation.

⁸ Don’t repeat a sin,
    for you won’t be innocent
    even of committing it the first time.
⁹ Don’t say,
“He will look at the heap of my gifts,
    and when I make an offering
    to the Most High, he will accept it.”
¹⁰ Don’t be timid in your prayer,
    and don’t neglect caring for those in need.
¹¹ Don’t mock a person
who is bitter in spirit;
    for there’s one who humbles
    and who exalts.
¹² Don’t cultivate a lie against your relative
    or do the same thing to a friend.
¹³ Don’t desire to tell a lie;
    continuing in a lie results in no good.
¹⁴ Don’t babble when the elders
are assembled,
    and don’t repeat yourself when praying.

¹⁵ Don’t hate hard work and farming,
    which were created by the Most High.
¹⁶ Don’t count yourself
among a group of sinners;
    remember that God’s anger won’t delay.
¹⁷ Humble your whole being
as much as possible,
    because fire and worms
    are the punishment of the ungodly.

Although these verses are from the  Apocrypha, I find them to contain worthy advice from ancient writings that are as applicable to my daily life as a believer in Christ as they certainly were back when they were first conceived. I really enjoy the writings contained in Sirach, as well as others I find in the apocryphal books.

New Posts Coming!

I've neglected this blog for a few years now, which is something I intend to remedy soon!

I still see the Apocrypha as something of great value to a child of God in their study of His wonderful word!

I leave you with these words from the book of Wisdom: 

Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord in goodness and seek him with sincerity of heart;because he is found by those who do not put him to the test, and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him.For perverse thoughts separate people from God, and when his power is tested, it exposes the foolish;because wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul, or dwell in a body enslaved to sin.For a holy and disciplined spirit will flee from deceit, and will leave foolish thoughts behind, and will be ashamed at the approach of unrighteousness. Wisdom 1:1-5 (NRSVCE)

---

Should we study the Apocrypha?

I feel compelled to write this post as a reaction to something I read concerning the NRSV Bible, a favorite version of mine that is not too popular with most evangelicals.  One of the reasons it is not widely accepted is that many editions of this fine translation contain books of the Apocrypha in a special section between the Old and New Testaments.  There are also Catholic editions of this particular translation that contain the books interspersed through the  Old Testament-- as Catholics consider them to be inspired or "canonical."  Note: The same people who shun the translation for this reason may have no problem at all with carrying around a study Bible as their favorite tool that has numerous writings on any number of topics from Dispensationalism to Calvinism and beyond. These editions are filled with the opinions of people-- often alongside the inspired Word of God.

Consider, for example, the cherished Scofield Reference Bible (which I know contains questionable information).  While I may not agree with all of its content, it does serve a purpose in studying Scripture.  His words may not be inspired, but they are often useful.  The same can be said for any study Bible.  So I view the Apocrypha much in the same way: often useful text inserted into God's Word that may point us in the right direction or offer some inspiration on a topic that God wishes for us to focus on in our walk that day.

Apocrypha as a Source of History:
Martin Luther thought the Apocrypha should be included because it contains useful history on the period between testaments.  Many hold the same viewpoint.  The Geneva Bible originally contained the books of the Apocrypha, as well.  The King James Version also had the Apocrypha originally included in its editions.

Should we study the Apocrypha?
I think so-- much in the same way a College student should make use of their textbooks to ready themselves for exams.  I read a lot of different books, some of which are more of a 'study' nature than others.  Some, like some books of the Apocrypha, contain interesting stories that broaden my insight into people and events of long ago.

Devotional Material
There is much of worth for devotional reading in the Apocrypha that anybody would be foolish to ignore.

Consider these "words of wisdom" from the Apocrypha:
All wisdom is from the Lord,
and with him it remains forever.
The sand of the sea, the drops of rain,
and the days of eternity—who can count them?
The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth,
the abyss, and wisdom—who can search them out?
Wisdom was created before all other things,
and prudent understanding from eternity.
The root of wisdom—to whom has it been revealed?
Her subtleties—who knows them?
There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared,
seated upon his throne—the Lord.
It is he who created her;
he saw her and took her measure;
he poured her out upon all his works,
upon all the living according to his gift;
he lavished her upon those who love him.
-Sirach 1:1-10 (NRSV)

God speaks to me through the words contained in Scripture, but also by the people and things He puts in my life to point me in the right direction,.  Ironically, the words and encouragement of brothers and sisters in Christ that God intends for me to see and hear always comply with Scripture. Certainly, if they don't, they are not of God.  I know that God would not contradict His own Word. Such it is with the Apocrypha-- there is much there of inspiration to me in my daily walk with Christ that reminds me and points me in the direction of His Word.  I guess that makes some of it inspired, in a sense?

As always, your thoughts are welcomed.

The Courage of Your CONVICTIONS

Antiochus marched against Jerusalem and ended up desecrating the temple and putting the Jews through a hellish existence during his occupation of the land. Two years after that, he moved against Judea. He sent his military to deceive the Jews and lead them to think there would be a peace and they would be well-treated; hence, little resistance. Then, when off-guard, the Jews were slaughtered by his invading army. Do you really think there weren't many who suspected that they were being lied to, but probably thought if they cooperated [or offered little resistance] they would be left unharmed? I'm sure there were. The reputation of Antiochus was surely well documented by then. (People often throw principle out the door in the face of fear). Antiochus then issued a decree that all the nations in his empire were to adopt his pagan religion and do things that the Israelites surely knew were contrary to the laws of God. People (many of them Israelites) sold out and turned their backs on God. Principles, when threatened by personal discomfort, are often easily dismissed by people. The temple was defiled, circumcision forbidden and the rest of the law of Moses forgotten. But not by all. there were those who remained true to the law and were brutally murdered for their convictions. Sometimes, it only takes one empowered by the Holy Spirit to ignite the spark of truth and convict people of their wrongdoing. Such a man was Mattathias. Here's his story:

During that time, a priest of the Jehoiarib family named Mattathias, who was the son of John and the grandson of Simeon, moved from Jerusalem and settled in Modein. Mattathias had five sons: John (also called Gaddi), Simon (also called Thassi), Judas (also called Maccabeus), Eleazar (also called Avaran), and Jonathan (also called Apphus).
When Mattathias saw all the sins that were being committed in Judea and Jerusalem, he said:
“Why was I born to see these terrible things,
the ruin of my people and of the holy city?
Must I sit here helpless
while the city is surrendered to enemies
and the Temple falls into the hands of foreigners?
The Temple is like someone without honor.
Its splendid furnishings
have been carried away as loot.
Our children have been killed in the streets,
and our young men by the sword of the enemy.
Every nation in the world has occupied the city
and robbed her of her possessions.
All her ornaments have been stripped away;
she is now a slave, no longer free.
Look at our Temple, profaned by the Gentiles,
emptied of all its splendor.
Why should we go on living?”
In their grief, Mattathias and his sons tore their clothes, put on sackcloth, and continued in deep mourning.
Then the king's officials, who were forcing the people to turn from God, came to the town of Modein to force the people there to offer pagan sacrifices. Many of the Israelites came to meet them, including Mattathias and his sons. The king's officials said to Mattathias, “You are a respected leader in this town, and you have the support of your sons and relatives. Why not be the first one here to do what the king has commanded? All the Gentiles, the people of Judea, and all the people left in Jerusalem have already done so. If you do, you and your sons will be honored with the title of ‘Friends of the King,’ and you will be rewarded with silver and gold and many gifts.”
Mattathias answered in a loud voice, “I don't care if every Gentile in this empire has obeyed the king and yielded to the command to abandon the religion of his ancestors. My children, my relatives, and I will continue to keep the covenant that God made with our ancestors. With God's help we will never abandon his Law or disobey his commands. We will not obey the king's decree, and we will not change our way of worship in the least.”
Just as he finished speaking, one of the men from Modein decided to obey the king's decree and stepped out in front of everyone to offer a pagan sacrifice on the altar that stood there. When Mattathias saw him, he became angry enough to do what had to be done. Shaking with rage, he ran forward and killed the man right there on the altar. He also killed the royal official who was forcing the people to sacrifice, and then he tore down the altar. In this way Mattathias showed his deep devotion for the Law, just as Phinehas had done when he killed Zimri son of Salu. - 1 Maccabees 2:1-26 (GNTD)

As I wrote earlier, sometimes it takes just one to ignite the spark. When inspired and empowered by God to make some changes, we often become unstoppable:

Then Mattathias went through the town shouting, “Everyone who is faithful to God's covenant and obeys his Law, follow me!” With this, he and his sons fled to the mountains, leaving behind all they owned.
At that time also many of the Israelites who were seeking to be right with God through obedience to the Law went out to live in the wilderness, taking their children, their wives, and their livestock with them, because of the terrible oppression they were suffering. -1 Maccabees 2:27-30 (GNTD)

Showing Compassion

Jesus is considered by scholars such as Weber to be an example of a charismatic religious leader. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We can show compassion to someone we know, but the Lord shows compassion for all humanity. He corrects us; he disciplines us; he teaches us. Like a shepherd tending sheep, he brings us back to himself. He will have compassion on us if we accept his guidance and are eager for him to show us where we are wrong. -Sirach 18:13 [also known as Ecclesiasticus] (GNTD)

Truly we are saved by the grace of God as evidenced in the shedding of the precious blood of Jesus for our sins. As Christians, that must be the first and most important fact of our faith life: the absolute GRACE of God. That being said, where we go from there really depends on us. Let us not forget what Jesus said were the first two greatest commandments:

“Teacher,” he asked, “which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ The whole Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets depend on these two commandments.”  -Matthew 22:36-40 (GNT)