The Story-Line of Christian Precreation Rhetorolect LESSON 2: OLD TESTAMENT APOCRYPHA AS A RESOURCE FOR CHRISTIAN PRECREATION RHETOROLECT Sirach and Wisdom of Solomon (in Old Testament Apocrypha) deepen the “story” of Wisdom in biblical tradition, creating additional resources for Christian precreation rhetorolect.  Click to read about Wisdom in Sirach.

Old Testament Apocrypha Resource In the Old Testament Apocrypha, Sirach develops the story of Wisdom both with questions and a presentation of the “story” of Wisdom.  Click to read questions and statements about Wisdom in Sirach 1.

Old Testament Apocrypha Resource: STATEMENTS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT WISDOM in Sirach 1 Sirach 1:1 All wisdom comes from the Lord and is with him for ever. 1:2 The sand of the sea, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity -- who can count them? 1:3 The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth, the abyss, and wisdom -- who can search them out? 1:4 Wisdom was created before all other things, and prudent understanding from eternity. 1:6 The root of wisdom – to whom has it been revealed? Her subtleties – who knows them?  Click to continue with Sirach 1.

Old Testament Apocrypha Resource: STATEMENTS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT WISDOM in Sirach 1 cont. Sirach 1:7 The knowledge of wisdom – to whom was it manifested? And her abundant experience – who has understood it? 1:8 There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared, seated upon his throne – the Lord. 1:9 It is he who created her; he saw her and took her measure; he poured her out upon all his works, 1:10 upon all the living according to his gift; he lavished her upon those who love him.  Click for the “story” of Wisdom in Sirach 24.

Old Testament Apocrypha Resource: THE STORY OF WISDOM in Sirach 24 Sirach 24:1 Wisdom praises herself, and tells of her glory in the midst of the people. 24:3 “I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth like a mist. 24:4 I dwelt in high places, and my throne was in a pillar of cloud. 24:5 Alone I have made the circuit of the vault of heaven and have walked in the depths of the abyss. 24:6 In the waves of the sea, in the whole earth, and in every people and nation I have gotten a possession.  Click to continue the “story” of Wisdom in Sirach 24.

Old Testament Apocrypha Resource: THE STORY OF WISDOM in Sirach 24 cont. Sirach 24:7 Among all these I sought a resting place; in whose territory should I abide? 24:8 Then the Creator of all things gave me a command, and my Creator chose the place for my tent. He said, ‘Make your dwelling in Jacob, and in Israel receive your inheritance.’ 24:9 Before the ages, in the beginning, he created me, and for all the ages I shall not cease to be.”  Click to read about the Wisdom of Solomon.

Old Testament Apocrypha Resource In the Old Testament Apocrypha, a writing called the “Wisdom of Solomon” also develops the story of Wisdom both with questions and a presentation of the “story” of Wisdom.  Click to read Wisdom of Solomon 7.

Old Testament Apocrypha Resource: THE STORY OF WISDOM in Wisdom 7 Wisdom 7:21 I learned both what is secret and what is manifest, 7:22 for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me. For in her there is a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, 7:23 beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent and pure and most subtle.  Click to continue Wisdom of Solomon 7.

Old Testament Apocrypha Resource: THE STORY OF WISDOM in Wisdom 7 cont.(1) Wisdom 7:24 For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things. 7:25 For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her. 7:26 For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.  Click to continue Wisdom of Solomon 7.

Old Testament Apocrypha Resource: THE STORY OF WISDOM in Wisdom 7 cont. (2) Wisdom 7:27 Though she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets; 7:28 for God loves nothing so much as the human who lives with wisdom. 7:29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be superior, 7:30 for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail.  Click to read Wisdom of Solomon 9.

Old Testament Apocrypha Resource: THE STORY OF WISDOM in Wisdom 9 Wisdom 9:9 With you [God] is wisdom, she who knows your works and was present when you made the world; she understands what is pleasing in your sight and what is right according to your commandments. 9:10 Send her forth from the holy heavens, and from the throne of your glory send her, that she may labor at my side, and that I may learn what is pleasing to you. 9:11 For she knows and understands all things, and she will guide me wisely in my actions and guard me with her glory.  Click to continue Wisdom of Solomon 9.

Old Testament Apocrypha Resource: THE STORY OF WISDOM in Wisdom 9 cont. (1) Wisdom 9:12 Then my works will be acceptable, and I shall judge your people justly, and shall be worthy of the throne of my father. 9:13 For who can learn the counsel of God? Or who can discern what the Lord wills? 9:14 For the reasoning of mortals is worthless, and our designs are likely to fail, 9:15 for a perishable body weighs down the soul, and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful mind.  Click to continue Wisdom of Solomon 9.

Old Testament Apocrypha Resource: THE STORY OF WISDOM in Wisdom 9 cont. (2) Wisdom 9:16 We can hardly guess at what is on earth, and what is at hand we find with labor; but who has traced out what is in the heavens? 9:17 Who has learned your counsel, unless you have given wisdom and sent your holy Spirit from on high? 9:18 And thus the paths of those on earth were set right, and humans were taught what pleases you, and were saved by wisdom.  Click for a summary.

Good Work! In this lesson you have learned that: Sirach and Wisdom of Solomon (in Old Testament Apocrypha) deepen the “story” of Wisdom in biblical tradition, creating additional resources for Christian precreation rhetorolect.  Click to continue the summary.

Summary cont. Sirach includes questions regarding the nature of wisdom and answers given in the voice of wisdom. From Sirach we learn that wisdom was created from eternity before all things. From Sirach we learn that wisdom was created from eternity before all things. In precreation rhetorolect, all wisdom comes from its creator, the Lord, and exists eternally with him.  Click to continue.

Excellent! In the Old Testament Apocrypha, the “Wisdom of Solomon” further develops the story of Wisdom both with questions and a presentation of the “story” of Wisdom. In the Wisdom of Solomon, Wisdom is referred to as a feminine being “present” with God when God created the world. The Wisdom of Solomon describes Wisdom as a reflection of God’s workings and God’s power within all things. Wisdom counters and overcomes evil.  Click to continue.

Congratulations!!!! THIS WAS THE SECOND LESSON on the Christian Precreation Story-Line. Wonderful job!