Sirach 36: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on God’s Deliverance and Mercy

Executive Summary ✨

Sirach 36, a powerful prayer for the restoration of Israel and the manifestation of God’s mercy, resonates deeply within the Coptic Orthodox tradition. This chapter isn’t merely a plea for national deliverance; it’s a yearning for the revelation of God’s glory to all nations. It touches upon themes of divine justice, the covenant relationship between God and His people, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. The prayer’s intensity reminds us of our own need for God’s intervention in our lives and the world. It calls us to actively participate in God’s plan through prayer, faith, and righteous living. By examining the historical context and drawing upon the wisdom of the Church Fathers, we gain a profound understanding of Sirach 36’s enduring relevance to the faithful. This prayer serves as a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering commitment to His people and His ultimate victory over all adversaries. The core message is about trusting in God’s plan for salvation and actively participating in building His Kingdom on Earth. This examination will provide deeper insights into Sirach’s plea for God’s Deliverance.

Sirach 36, found in the deuterocanonical book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), stands as a fervent prayer for the restoration of Israel and the manifestation of God’s mercy. Let’s delve into the depths of this poignant prayer, exploring its spiritual significance and practical applications within the Coptic Orthodox tradition. Our analysis will consider the historical backdrop, linguistic nuances, and theological implications of each verse.

Commentary Sections 📖

Verse 1: Have mercy upon us, O Lord God of all, and behold us

Greek: Ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, δέσποτα, ὁ θεὸς τῶν ὅλων, καὶ ἐπίδε ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς.

KJV: Have mercy upon us, O Lord God of all, and behold us:

NKJV: Have mercy on us, O Lord God of all, and behold us;

The prayer begins with a humble plea for God’s mercy. The title “Lord God of all” (δέσποτα, ὁ θεὸς τῶν ὅλων) emphasizes God’s universal sovereignty and power. This isn’t a call for divine favor based on merit, but a recognition of our inherent need for God’s grace. As St. Athanasius said, “Ὁ γὰρ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ, διὰ τὴν ἡμετέραν σωτηρίαν, γέγονεν ἄνθρωπος, ἵνα ἡμεῖς θεοποιηθῶμεν” (Ad Athanasius, De Incarnatione, PG 25:192). (“For the Word of God became man so that we might become divine”). This mercy is the foundation of our salvation.

Spiritual Application: Start each day with a prayer acknowledging God’s sovereignty and asking for His mercy to guide your thoughts, words, and actions. Acknowledge your imperfections and dependence on His grace.

Verse 2: Send thy fear upon all the nations that seek not after thee.

Greek: Ἔμβαλε τὸν φόβον σου ἐπὶ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη τὰ μὴ ἐκζητοῦντά σε.

KJV: Send thy fear upon all the nations that seek not after thee:

NKJV: Send Your fear on all the nations, Who do not seek You.

This verse might seem harsh, but it reflects a desire for all nations to recognize God’s authority and turn away from idolatry and wickedness. The “fear of the Lord” isn’t about terror, but rather a reverential awe and respect that leads to obedience. This is reminiscent of Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Imagine the bustling markets of Jerusalem, a melting pot of cultures and beliefs. This verse calls for a transformation – a shift towards recognizing the One True God.

Spiritual Application: Pray for those who don’t know God, asking that they may experience His presence and turn to Him. Be a witness of God’s love and truth in your daily interactions, so that others may be drawn to Him. You could explore relevant dohost templates to help spread this message.

Verses 3-4: That they may know thee, as we have known thee, that there is no God but only thou, O God. Show new signs, and make other wonders: glorify thy hand and thy right arm, that they may set forth thy wondrous works.

Greek: Ἵνα γνῶσίν σε, καθὼς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐγνώκαμεν, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν θεὸς πλὴν σὺ μόνος, ὁ θεός. Ποίησον σημεῖα καινά, καὶ τέρατα ἕτερα· δόξασον τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ τὸν βραχίονά σου τὸν δεξιόν, ἐκδιηγήσασθαι τὰ θαυμάσιά σου.

KJV: That they may know thee, as we have known thee, that there is no God but only thou, O God. Show new signs, and make other wonders: glorify thy hand and thy right arm, that they may set forth thy wondrous works.

NKJV: That they may know You, as we have known You, That there is no God but You, O God. Do new signs, and perform other wonders; Glorify Your hand and Your right arm, That they may declare Your wondrous works.

The prayer intensifies, pleading for God to reveal Himself through signs and wonders. This echoes the Exodus narrative, where God demonstrated His power to Pharaoh. The phrase “glorify thy hand and thy right arm” is a metaphor for God’s power and strength in action. St. Cyril of Alexandria wrote extensively on the divine energies (ἐνέργειαι) and how God reveals Himself through His actions in the world (Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on John, PG 73:161-164).

Spiritual Application: Pray for opportunities to witness God’s power in your own life and to share these experiences with others. Recognize that God is still working miracles today, even if they aren’t always dramatic or obvious.

Verses 5-7: Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath: take away the adversary, and destroy the enemy. Make the time short, remember the covenant, and let them declare thy wonderful works. With indignation, and with wrath, render destruction unto the residue that oppress thy people.

Greek: Ἔγειρον ὀργήν, καὶ ἔκχεον θυμόν· ἐξάρας τὸν ἀντικείμενον, καὶ ἀπόλεσον τὸν ἐχθρόν. Σύντεμον τὸν καιρόν, μνήσθητι τῆς διαθήκης, καὶ διηγησάσθωσαν τὰ θαυμάσιά σου. Ἐν ὀργῇ καὶ ἐν θυμῷ δὸς ὄλεθρον τοῖς καταλοίποις τοῖς καταδυναστεύουσιν τὸν λαόν σου.

KJV: Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath: take away the adversary, and destroy the enemy. Make the time short, remember the covenant, and let them declare thy wonderful works. With indignation and wrath render destruction unto the residue that oppress thy people.

NKJV: Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath; Take away the adversary, and destroy the enemy. Shorten the time, remember the covenant, And let them declare Your wonderful works. With indignation and wrath bring destruction on the remnant who oppress Your people.

This section expresses a righteous anger against those who oppress God’s people. The call for “indignation” and “wrath” reflects a desire for justice and the vindication of the righteous. The plea to “remember the covenant” underscores the enduring bond between God and Israel. We see echoes of this in the Psalms, particularly Psalm 79, which laments the destruction of Jerusalem and calls for divine vengeance. The geography of the ancient Near East was often characterized by conflict and oppression, making this cry for justice all the more urgent.

Spiritual Application: Stand up for justice and speak out against oppression, even when it’s difficult or unpopular. Remember that God is a God of justice and will ultimately vindicate the righteous. Pray for the strength to forgive those who wrong you, while still seeking justice for the oppressed.

Verse 8-9: Gather all the tribes of Jacob together, and inherit thou them, as from the beginning. O Lord, have mercy upon thy people, that are called by thy name, and upon Israel, whom thou hast named thy firstborn.

Greek: Συναγάγας πάσας τὰς φυλὰς Ιακωβ, καὶ κληρονόμησον αὐτοὺς ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς. Κύριε, ἐλέησον τὸν λαόν σου, τὸν ἐπικεκλημένον τῷ ὀνόματί σου, καὶ τὸν Ισραηλ, ὃν ὠνόμασας πρωτότοκόν σου.

KJV: Gather all the tribes of Jacob together, and inherit thou them, as from the beginning. O Lord, have mercy upon thy people, that are called by thy name, and upon Israel, whom thou hast named thy firstborn.

NKJV: Gather all the tribes of Jacob together, And inherit them, as from the beginning. O Lord, have mercy on Your people, Who are called by Your name, And on Israel, whom You have named Your firstborn.

This is a powerful call for the reunification of Israel and the restoration of their inheritance. God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants is highlighted here. The designation of Israel as God’s “firstborn” recalls Exodus 4:22 and emphasizes their special relationship with God.

Spiritual Application: Pray for unity within the Church and for the reconciliation of all believers. Remember that we are all part of God’s family, called to love and support one another. Strive to build bridges between different Christian traditions, seeking common ground in our shared faith.

Verse 10-13: O be merciful unto Jerusalem, thy holy city, the place of thy rest. Fill Sion with thine unspeakable oracles, and thy people with thy glory: Give testimony unto those that thou hast possessed from the beginning, and raise up the prophets that have been in thy name. Reward them that wait for thee: and let thy prophets be found faithful. O Lord, hear the prayer of thy servants, according to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, and direct us unto the way of righteousness, and let all those which live upon the earth know that thou art the Lord, the eternal God.

Greek: Ἐλέησον Ιερουσαλημ, τὴν πόλιν τὴν ἁγίαν σου, τὸν τόπον τῆς καταπαύσεώς σου. Πλήρωσον Σιων ἀνεκδιηγήτων λόγων σου, καὶ τὸν λαόν σου τῆς δόξης σου. Δὸς μαρτύριον τοῖς κατασχοῦσιν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, καὶ ἔγειρον προφήτας τοὺς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου. Ἀντάμειψαι τοὺς ὑπομένοντάς σε, καὶ οἱ προφῆταί σου εὑρεθήτωσαν πιστοί. Κύριε, εἰσάκουσον τῆς προσευχῆς τῶν δούλων σου, κατὰ τὴν εὐλογίαν Ααρων ἐπὶ τὸν λαόν σου, καὶ κατεύθυνον ἡμᾶς εἰς ὁδὸν δικαιοσύνης, καὶ γνῶσιν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ὅτι σὺ εἶ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ αἰώνιος.

KJV: O be merciful unto Jerusalem, thy holy city, the place of thy rest. Fill Sion with thine unspeakable oracles, and thy people with thy glory: Give testimony unto those that thou hast possessed from the beginning, and raise up the prophets that have been in thy name. Reward them that wait for thee: and let thy prophets be found faithful. O Lord, hear the prayer of thy servants, according to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, and direct us unto the way of righteousness: and let all those that live upon the earth know that thou art the Lord, the eternal God.

NKJV: O be merciful to Jerusalem, Your holy city, The place of Your rest. Fill Zion with Your unspeakable glories, And Your people with Your glory; Give testimony to those whom You possessed from the beginning, And raise up prophets who have been in Your name. Reward those who wait for You, And let Your prophets be found faithful. O Lord, hear the prayer of Your servants, According to the blessing of Aaron over Your people, And direct us in the way of righteousness, And let all who live on the earth know That You are the Lord, the eternal God.

The prayer culminates with a fervent plea for the restoration of Jerusalem, the holy city. “Sion” (Zion) is invoked as the dwelling place of God’s presence and glory. The reference to the “blessing of Aaron” (Numbers 6:24-26) emphasizes the priestly role in mediating God’s grace to the people. This section shows the importance of the physical and spiritual aspects of faith. The yearning for righteousness and recognition of God’s eternal nature drives the conclusion.

Spiritual Application: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people. Seek to live a life of righteousness, guided by the Holy Spirit. Remember that God is eternal and unchanging, and His love for you endures forever. This resonates with the Coptic Orthodox understanding of steadfast faith and eternal hope.

Subtopic Sections

Let’s consider some key reflections from Sirach 36:

• The Importance of Prayer: Sirach 36 highlights the power of prayer in seeking God’s intervention and mercy.
• The Universality of God’s Love: The prayer extends beyond Israel, calling for all nations to know God.
• The Significance of the Covenant: God’s covenant with Israel is a central theme, underscoring His faithfulness.
• The Call to Justice: The prayer expresses a righteous anger against oppression and injustice.
• The Hope for Restoration: The reunification of Israel and the restoration of Jerusalem are key aspirations.
• Eternal Nature of God: A recognition of God as Lord, the eternal God, is a key part of the plea.

FAQ ❓

Here are some frequently asked questions about Sirach 36:

• Q: Why is Sirach considered deuterocanonical?

  A: Sirach, along with other books, is considered deuterocanonical by some Christians because its canonicity was debated in the early Church and it is not included in the Hebrew Bible. However, the Coptic Orthodox Church recognizes it as part of the Old Testament canon due to its spiritual value and use in liturgical practices.

• Q: What is the “fear of the Lord” mentioned in verse 2?

  A: The “fear of the Lord” isn’t about being afraid of God, but rather a deep reverence, respect, and awe that leads to obedience and a desire to please Him. It’s a foundational principle for wisdom and righteous living, as Proverbs 1:7 states.

• Q: How does Sirach 36 relate to the New Testament?

  A: While directly quoted less often than some other Old Testament books, Sirach’s themes of God’s mercy, justice, and the importance of prayer resonate strongly with New Testament teachings. The call for universal recognition of God echoes the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20.

• Q: What is the significance of Jerusalem in this prayer?

  A: Jerusalem holds immense spiritual significance as the holy city, the site of the Temple, and the place of God’s dwelling. Its restoration symbolizes the renewal of God’s covenant with His people and the establishment of His kingdom on Earth. It’s a plea for the restoration of God’s presence in the world.

Conclusion ✨

Sirach 36 offers a profound prayer for God’s deliverance and mercy. Its verses express a deep yearning for the restoration of Israel, the manifestation of God’s glory to all nations, and the triumph of justice over oppression. Within the Coptic Orthodox tradition, this prayer serves as a powerful reminder of our own need for God’s intervention in our lives and the world. It calls us to actively participate in God’s plan through prayer, faith, and righteous living. We must internalize these teachings and trust in God’s ability to deliver us from all trials. Sirach 36: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on God’s Deliverance reminds us to seek his mercy and strive for righteousness, that all may know Him as the eternal God. This chapter calls us to actively participate in God’s plan and trust in His ultimate plan.

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Sirach, Ecclesiasticus, Coptic Orthodox, deuterocanonical, prayer, deliverance, mercy, Israel, Jerusalem, covenant

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Explore Sirach 36 through a Coptic Orthodox lens: A verse-by-verse commentary on God’s Deliverance, mercy, and the restoration of Israel. Discover its spiritual depth!