After hearing about the exploits of Elijah in the Second Book of Kings, concluded in yesterday’s reading, today (Sirach 48:1‑15, also known as Ecclesiasticus 48:1-15) we hear Sirach’s poetic description and praise of this prophet. Sirach provided a similar writing about David’s life. Recall that in a previous Daily Reflection we discussed that the Book of Sirach is among the apocryphal books that are not included in either the Hebrew or other Christian denomination’s Scripture.
The author of Sirach recalls the great exploits of Elijah, including: his triumph over the priests of Baal, bringing down fire from heaven when the Lord burned up the sacrifice of Elijah but not that of the priests of Baal; his role in breaking of a long drought; his raising a dead child to life; and his bringing about the destruction of evil kings. Sirach recalls Elijah realizing that God was not in violence, but in a gentle breeze. He anointed kings who would do the Lord’s work. He appointed Elisha as his successor; and at the end, was taken up to God in a fiery chariot, the transport of kings. He even alluded to the coming of the Messiah: “[You] who were prepared at the appointed time to calm [God’s] wrath before it breaks out in fury, to turn the hearts of parents to their children and to restore the tribes of Jacob.”
Sirach then turns his attention to Elisha. “Elisha was filled with the spirit of Elijah. He wrought many marvels; nothing was beyond his power…[even] in death his deeds were marvelous…” This refers to a strange event in the Second Book of Kings that took place after Elisha’s death. Just as a dead man was being buried, a raiding party was seen, so the mourners just threw the dead body into the grave where Elisha was buried and fled. As soon as the man’s body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came back to life and stood up (2 Kings 13:20-21).
Shakespeare has one of his characters say, rather cynically, that “the evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones”. Unfortunately, that is often the case, but as Christians we might make a special point of remembering the good things that people do in their lifetime, just as Sirach does in today’s reading.ser to God.
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!