Little things in scripture I notice and like to share

[CatholicKnight3]

To me there are so many things in scripture that jump out at me. I have to admit, I am not always joyful after reading it. In fact, there are times I am flat out filled with despair or resentment. Especially, when it describes things that God condemns, that I do.

Anyway, little things I notice.

Like when the bible points out in the gospel that Joseph was a righteous man, and so therefore he was going to dismiss Mary…in private and not publicly.

First the bible shows that it is righteous to not publicly humiliate your wife, even if you believe she has been treacherous in her deeds.

Another thing is I notice how John ran to the tomb ahead of the older disciples Peter and Matthew. Well, he waited until Peter got there. Out of respect for his authority. Also, when he reclined at the table of at the last supper, Peter motioned for him to do it, which means he looked to Peter as an authority.

I notice that Jesus said behold your mother from the cross to John, and it fits perfectly with Revelation 12:17 when it says the devil went off to wage war with the rest of her off spring, those who bear witness to Christ and keep his commandments.

Couple that with John bearing witness at the cross and with what Christ said to behold OUR MOTHER, we see how those words too are eternal.

 

[Classicist]

These are beautiful, timeless truths to notice, brother.

 

[GreatergoodGod]

I thought about this morning when Jesus told his disciples to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

 

[CaptFun]

What good insights! What a good thread title and sentiment! Given these things, I will share a Bible Chapter I stumbled upon last week.

vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/__PMN.HTM

Sirach Chapter 21

1 My son, if you have sinned, do so no more, and for your past sins pray to be forgiven.

2 Flee from sin as from a serpent. that will bite you if you go near it; Its teeth are lion’s teeth, destroying the souls of men.

3 Every offense is a two-edged sword; when it cuts, there can be no healing.

4 Violence and arrogance wipe out wealth; so too a proud man’s home is destroyed.

5 Prayer from a poor man’s lips is heard at once, and justice is quickly granted him.

6 He who hates correction walks the sinner’s path, but he who fears the LORD repents in his heart.

7 Widely known is the boastful speaker but the wise man knows his own faults.

8 He who builds his house with another’s money is collecting stones for his funeral mound.

9 A band of criminals is like a bundle of tow; they will end in a flaming fire.

10 The path of sinners is smooth stones that end in the depths of the nether world.

11 He who keeps the law controls his impulses; he who is perfect in fear of the LORD has wisdom.

12 He can never be taught who is not shrewd, but one form of shrewdness is thoroughly bitter.

13 A wise man’s knowledge wells up in a flood, and his counsel, like a living spring;

14 A fool’s mind is like a broken jar - no knowledge at all can it hold.

15 When an intelligent man hears words of wisdom, he approves them and adds to them; The wanton hears them with scorn and casts them behind his back.

16 A fool’s chatter is like a load on a journey, but there is charm to be found upon the lips of the wise.

17 The views of a prudent man are sought in an assembly, and his words are considered with care.

18 Like a house in ruins is wisdom to a fool; the stupid man knows it only as inscrutable words.

19 Like fetters on the legs is learning to a fool, like a manacle on his right hand.

20 A fool raises his voice in laughter, but the prudent man at the most smiles gently.

21 Like a chain of gold is learning to a wise man, like a bracelet on his right arm.

22 The fool steps boldly into a house, while the well-bred man remains outside;

23 A boor peeps through the doorway of a house, but a cultured man keeps his glance cast down.

24 It is rude for one to listen at a door; a cultured man would be overwhelmed by the disgrace of it.

25 The lips of the impious talk of what is not their concern, but the words of the prudent are carefully weighed.

26 Fools’ thoughts are in their mouths, wise men’s words are in their hearts.

27 When a godless man curses his adversary he really curses himself.

28 A slanderer besmirches himself, and is hated by his neighbors.

Much wisdom packed into its 28 verses. Reminds one a bit of Proverbs. Not all of the book of Sirach is like this. As you read the book of Sirach you will find some of its sayings and teachings familiar. Jesus seems to have reiterated some things first taught in Sirach.

It and “Wisdom” (I’ve joked) are cliff notes for the Old Testament. Being later books that reviewed or borrowed from the others. Which was also done by the New Testament scriptures.

Sirach is one of the 7 OT books not accepted by the Reformation – who took for their light the non-Christian Sadducee/Jewish Council of Jamnia in 70AD that “did not canonize” 7 books of the Septuagint OT Bible). The Jewish leaders may have had as their motivation for not canonizing the popular scriptures due to the many allusions to “resurrection” and “afterlife” that the new Christian faith (and Jewish Pharisees) taught that the Sadducees didn’t believe in.

 

[GreatergoodGod]

Flee from sin as from a serpent that will bite you if you go near it; Its teeth, lion’s teeth, destroying human lives. All lawlessness is like a two-edged sword; when it cuts, there is no healing. Sirach 21:2-3

That part stands out to me.

 

[CaptFun]

Flee from sin as from a serpent that will bite you if you go near it; Its teeth, lion’s teeth, destroying human lives. All lawlessness is like a two-edged sword; when it cuts, there is no healing. Sirach 21:2-3

That part stands out to me.

To me too. And it’s a theme that gets picked up in the New Testament. Except that with the Holy Spirit and the armor available by then one could also resist the devil as well as flee from him (and in fact when a Christian resisted the devil would flee!).

But the gravity of sin and the life changing power it has can be seen even today. Some innocent kids who experiment with drugs get addicted and never recover the chance they once had to excel in many areas of life (for instance).

Too many times when sin comes along in whatever form … our fallen nature tends NOT to flee but to be inclined toward “how interesting!” (to our damage many times). :sad_yes: