Sirach chapter 44
[This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] Remembering the heroes of the faith. The early heroes of the faith.
The Book of Sirach is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches
REMEMBERING THE HEROES OF THE FAITH
VERSE 1. Let us now praise famous men, And our fathers that became the father of us.
famous men. That is, godly men.
The author is remembering the heroes of the faith.
VERSE 2. The Lord manifested in them great glory, Even his mighty power from the beginning.
VERSE 3. Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, And were men renowned for their power, Giving counsel by their understanding, Such as have brought tidings in prophecies:
Giving counsel. That is, the gift of counseling.
We Christians call it the Gift of Discernment.
brought tidings in prophecies. That is, the Gift of Prophecy.
VERSE 4. Leaders of the people by their counsels, And by their understanding men of learning for the people; Wise were their words in their instruction:
Leaders of the people. That is, the Gift of Administration.
men of learning. We Christians call it the Gift of Wisdom.
VERSE 5. Such as sought out musical tunes, And set forth verses in writing:
VERSE 6. Rich men furnished with ability, Living peaceably in their habitations:
VERSE 7. All these were honored in their generations, And were a glory in their days.
VERSE 8. There be of them, that have left a name behind them, To declare their praises.
have left a name behind. Some heroes of the faith are famous, even to this day.
VERSE 9. And some there be, which have no memorial; Who are perished as though they had not been, And are become as though they had not been born; And their children after them.
some … have no memorial. Other heroes of the faith are NOT famous.
VERSE 10. But these were men of mercy, Whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten.
men of mercy. We Christians call it the Gift of Mercy.
Whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten:
Hebrews 6:10. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (NIV translation).
VERSE 11. With their seed shall remain continually a good inheritance; Their children are within the covenants.
VERSE 12. Their seed stands fast, And their children for their sakes.
VERSE 13. Their seed shall remain forever, And their glory shall not be blotted out.
Their seed shall remain forever. Parents hope and pray for something like this for their own children.
You can hope and pray for this in a spiritual sense as well.
As you exercise the ministry of evangelism, some people will accept what you say. They will become your children, spiritually.
You will helping your spiritual children to grow up in the faith, from infancy to adulthood.
One day your spiritual children will start to exercise the ministry of evangelism. They will go out and share their faith with other people.
Eventually people will be drawn to their influence. They will become your spiritual grandchildren. You will help raise your spiritual grandchildren.
In this way, your spiritual name, your spiritual posterity, will continue on until the End of Time.
For us Christians, this is the ministry of discipleship.
VERSE 14. Their bodies were buried in peace, And their name lives to all generations.
VERSE 15. Peoples will declare their wisdom, And the congregation tells out their praise.
THE EARLY HEROES OF THE FAITH
SUMMARY: The author remembers Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
VERSE 16. Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated, Being an example of repentance to all generations.
was translated. Neither Enoch nor Elijah died. Instead, they were taken alive into heaven. They demonstrate what will happen to believers at the end of time. Read more »
VERSE 17. Noah was found perfect and righteous; In the season of wrath he was taken in exchange for the world; Therefore was there left a remnant to the earth, When the flood came.
a remnant. The Bible describes a uniquely faithful group of believers called “the remnant.” Are they Jewish or Christians? Now or in the future? Who are they really? Read more »
VERSE 18. Everlasting covenants were made with him, That all flesh should no more be blotted out by a flood.
VERSE 19. Abraham was a great father of a multitude of nations; And there was none found like him in glory;
VERSE 20. Who kept the law of the Most High, And was taken into covenant with him: In his flesh he established the covenant; And when he was proved, he was found faithful.
VERSE 21. Therefore he assured him by an oath, That the nations should be blessed in his seed; That he would multiply him as the dust of the earth, And exalt his seed as the stars, And cause them to inherit from sea to sea, And from the River to the utmost part of the earth.
VERSE 22. In Isaac also did he establish likewise, for Abraham his father’s sake, The blessing of all men, and the covenant:
VERSE 23. And he made it rest upon the head of Jacob; He acknowledged him in his blessings, And gave to him by inheritance, And divided his portions; Among twelve tribes did he part them.
SIRACH
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Chronology
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bibleand the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.