Sirach 46:1-20: a reflection

1Joshua the son of Nun was valiant in war, and was the successor of Moses in prophecies. He was made great according to his name for the saving of God’s elect, to take vengeance on the enemies that rose up against them, that he might give Israel their inheritance. 2How he was glorified in the lifting up his hands, and in stretching out his sword against the cities! 3Who before him stood so firm? For the Lord himself brought his enemies to him. 4Didn’t the sun go back by his hand? Didn’t one day become as two? 5He called upon the Most High, the Mighty One, when his foes pressed in all around him, and the great Lord heard him. 6With hailstones of mighty power, he caused war to break violently upon the nation, and on the slope he destroyed those who resisted, so that the nations might know his armor, how he fought in the sight of the Lord; for he followed the Mighty One. 7Also in the time of Moses, he did a work of mercy— he and Caleb the son of Jephunneh— in that they withstood the adversary, hindered the people from sin, and stilled their wicked complaining. 8And of six hundred thousand people on foot, they two alone were preserved to bring them into their inheritance, into a land flowing with milk and honey. 9The Lord gave strength to Caleb, and it remained with him to his old age, so that he entered the hill country, and his offspring obtained it for an inheritance, 10that all the children of Israel might see that it is good to follow the Lord. 11Also the judges, every one by his name, all whose hearts didn’t engage in immorality, and who didn’t turn away from the Lord— may their memory be blessed! 12May their bones flourish again out of their place. May the name of those who have been honored be renewed in their children. 13Samuel, the prophet of the Lord, loved by his Lord, established a kingdom and anointed princes over his people. 14By the law of the Lord he judged the congregation, and the Lord watched over Jacob. 15By his faithfulness he was proved to be a prophet. By his words he was known to be faithful in vision. 16When his enemies pressed on him on every side, he called upon the Lord, the Mighty One, with the offering of the suckling lamb. 17Then the Lord thundered from heaven. He made his voice heard with a mighty sound. 18He utterly destroyed the rulers of the Tyrians and all the princes of the Philistines. 19Before the time of his age-long sleep, he testified in the sight of the lord and his anointed, “I have not taken any man’s goods, so much as a sandal;” and no one accused him. 20Even after he fell asleep, he prophesied, and showed the king his end, and lifted up his voice from the earth in prophecy, to blot out the wickedness of the people.

As Sirach praises the faithful leaders of Israel's past, he pauses on Caleb, and draws from his life a simple lesson: it is good to follow the Lord. Caleb, with Joshua, had stood against the fearful crowd and trusted God to bring his people into the land; and the Lord gave strength to Caleb that remained with him even to his old age, so that he entered the hill country and his descendants inherited it. And Sirach says this was so that all the children of Israel might see that it is good to follow the Lord. Caleb's wholehearted following of God, against the fearful majority, was not in vain; God sustained him and rewarded his faithfulness, that others might see the goodness of following the Lord. To follow the Lord wholeheartedly, as Caleb did, is good, and its goodness is meant to be seen and known.

Notice the lesson Sirach draws from Caleb: it is good to follow the Lord. Caleb had followed God wholeheartedly, standing against the fearful crowd, trusting God when others did not; and God sustained him, gave him strength that lasted to old age, and brought him into the inheritance. His wholehearted following was not wasted; it was rewarded, and its reward was meant to show all Israel that following the Lord is good. There is a goodness in following God wholeheartedly, even against the majority, even when it is costly; and that goodness, seen in Caleb's sustained and rewarded life, is meant to encourage others to follow too. Following the Lord is not a grim duty but a good way, sustained and honored by God. The faithfulness of those who follow him wholeheartedly shows others that it is good to follow the Lord. Caleb's life is a testimony to that goodness.

That is worth taking to heart, for it is good to follow the Lord wholeheartedly, as Caleb did, and God sustains those who do. We can hesitate to follow God wholeheartedly, especially against the majority, fearing it will cost us and gain us nothing; but Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly against the fearful crowd, and God sustained him and brought him into the inheritance, that all might see it is good to follow the Lord. Following God wholeheartedly is a good way, sustained and honored by him. Do not hesitate to follow the Lord wholeheartedly, fearing it will cost you and gain nothing; it is good to follow the Lord, as Caleb's sustained life showed. Follow the Lord wholeheartedly, as Caleb did against the fearful crowd, trusting that it is good to follow him and that he sustains those who do, as Sirach says God gave Caleb strength to his old age and brought him into his inheritance, that all Israel might see it is good to follow the Lord; for following God wholeheartedly is not a grim and fruitless duty but a good way, sustained and honored by him, and the faithfulness of those who follow him shows others the goodness of following the Lord.

Lord, as Sirach praises the faithful leaders of Israel's past, he pauses on Caleb, and draws from his life a simple lesson: it is good to follow the Lord. Caleb, with Joshua, had stood against the fearful crowd and trusted you to bring your people into the land; and you gave strength to Caleb that remained with him even to his old age, so that he entered the hill country and his descendants inherited it. And Sirach says this was so that all the children of Israel might see that it is good to follow the Lord. Caleb's wholehearted following of you was not in vain; you sustained him and rewarded his faithfulness. Show me the lesson Sirach draws from Caleb: it is good to follow the Lord. Caleb had followed you wholeheartedly, standing against the fearful crowd, trusting you when others did not; and you sustained him, gave him strength that lasted to old age, and brought him into the inheritance. His wholehearted following was not wasted; it was rewarded, and its reward was meant to show all Israel that following you is good. There is a goodness in following you wholeheartedly, even against the majority, even when it is costly. Take that to my heart, for it is good to follow you wholeheartedly, as Caleb did, and you sustain those who do. I can hesitate to follow you wholeheartedly, especially against the majority, fearing it will cost me and gain me nothing; but Caleb followed you wholeheartedly, and you sustained him and brought him into the inheritance. Keep me from hesitating to follow you wholeheartedly, fearing it will cost me and gain nothing; help me follow you wholeheartedly, Lord, trusting that it is good to follow you and that you sustain those who do, as you gave Caleb strength to his old age.