Context No. 3940 of 4322 · Sirach

Sirach 17:1-16: in context

1The Lord created mankind out of earth, and turned them back to it again. 2He gave them days by number, and a set time, and gave them authority over the things that are on it. 3He endowed them with strength proper to them, and made them according to his own image. 4He put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and birds. 6He gave them counsel, tongue, eyes, ears, and heart to have understanding. 7He filled them with the knowledge of wisdom, and showed them good and evil. 8He set his eye upon their hearts, to show them the majesty of his works. 10And they will praise his holy name, that they may declare the majesty of his works. 11He added to them knowledge, and gave them a law of life for a heritage. 12He made an everlasting covenant with them, and showed them his decrees. 13Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory. Their ears heard the glory of his voice. 14He said to them, “Beware of all unrighteousness.” So he gave them commandment, each man concerning his neighbor. 15Their ways are ever before him. They will not be hidden from his eyes.

Sirach reflects on the creation of humanity, and it is a portrait of remarkable dignity. God created human beings from the earth, and though he appointed them a set span of life, he gave them extraordinary gifts: he made them in his own image, gave them authority over the earth, endowed them with strength, and filled them with understanding, granting them counsel, tongue, eyes, ears, and a heart to think.

He showed them good and evil, gave them knowledge and a law of life, and made a covenant with them. Humanity is no accident and no mere animal; we are made in God's image, gifted with understanding and moral awareness, and drawn into covenant with our Maker. And Sirach adds a sobering note: their ways are always before him; they are not hidden from his eyes. The God who so richly endowed us also sees all we do. There is both dignity and accountability here. We have been given much, the image of God, understanding, the knowledge of good and evil, and with such gifts comes responsibility to the God who gave them and who sees how we use them.

Do I live in a way that honors both my high dignity as one made in God's image, gifted with understanding, and my accountability to the God before whose eyes all my ways are open?

Sources

Sirach 17:3: "He endowed them with strength proper to them, and made them according to his own image."
Sirach 17:7: "He filled them with the knowledge of wisdom, and showed them good and evil."
Sirach 17:15: "Their ways are ever before him. They will not be hidden from his eyes."