Sirach 24:1-16: a reflection

1Wisdom will praise her own soul, and will proclaim her glory in the midst of her people. 2She will open her mouth in the congregation of the Most High, and proclaim her glory in the presence of his power. 3“I came out of the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth as a mist. 4I lived in high places, and my throne is in the pillar of the cloud. 5Alone I surrounded the circuit of heaven, and walked in the depth of the abyss. 6In the waves of the sea, and in all the earth, and in every people and nation, I obtained a possession. 7With all these I sought rest. In whose inheritance shall I lodge? 8Then the Creator of all things gave me a command. He who created me made my tent to rest, and said, ‘Let your dwelling be in Jacob, and your inheritance in Israel.’ 9He created me from the beginning, before the ages. For all ages, I will not cease to exist. 10In the holy tabernacle, I ministered before him. So I was established in Zion. 11In the beloved city, likewise he gave me rest. In Jerusalem was my domain. 12I took root in a people that was honored, even in the portion of the Lord’s own inheritance. 13I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon, And like a cypress tree on the mountains of Hermon. 14I was exalted like a palm tree on the sea shore, like rose bushes in Jericho, and like a fair olive tree in the plain. I was exalted like a plane tree. 15Like cinnamon and aspalathus, I have given a scent to perfumes. Like choice myrrh, I spread abroad a pleasant fragrance, like galbanum, onycha, stacte, and as the smell of frankincense in the tabernacle. 16Like the terebinth, I stretched out my branches. My branches are glorious and graceful.

In this passage, Wisdom is pictured speaking, telling of her origin and her dwelling. She came forth from the mouth of the Most High, she says; she ranged over all the earth and every people, until the Creator gave her a resting place, saying, let your dwelling be in Jacob. She took root there among God's people, growing and flourishing like a great tree, spreading fragrance like the finest spices. Wisdom, the passage tells us, comes from God, and God gives her a dwelling among his people.

Notice the origin of wisdom in this picture: she comes from the mouth of the Most High. True wisdom is not a human invention or achievement; it originates with God, comes forth from him, and is given by him to dwell among his people. However far human beings may search, real wisdom is God's, coming from him; it is his gift, taking root among those to whom he gives it. Wisdom's home is with God, and its dwelling among his people is his doing.

That points us to where true wisdom is found, and how it is to be sought. We can seek wisdom in many places, as though it were a human achievement to be attained by our own effort; but this passage reminds us that wisdom comes from God, is his gift, and takes root where he gives it. If you would be wise, seek wisdom from its source, from God, rather than imagining you can attain it apart from him. Ask him for the wisdom that comes from his own mouth, and welcome it to take root and dwell in you. True wisdom is not a self-made thing, but God's gift, coming from him; seek it from him, and let it dwell in you and bear its fruit, as it took root and flourished among God's people. Wisdom is from God; go to the source, and receive it as his gift.

Lord, in this passage Wisdom is pictured speaking, telling how she came forth from the mouth of the Most High, ranged over all the earth, and was given a dwelling among your people, taking root and flourishing there. Show me the origin of wisdom in that picture: she comes from you. True wisdom is not a human invention or achievement; it originates with you, comes forth from you, and is given by you to dwell among your people. However far I may search, real wisdom is yours, coming from you; it is your gift, taking root where you give it. I can seek wisdom in many places, as though it were a human achievement to be attained by my own effort; but this passage reminds me that wisdom comes from you, is your gift, and takes root where you give it. If I would be wise, help me seek wisdom from its source, from you, rather than imagining I can attain it apart from you. Help me ask you for the wisdom that comes from your own mouth, and welcome it to take root and dwell in me. True wisdom is your gift; help me go to the source, and receive it from you, Lord, and let it bear its fruit in me.