Sirach 45:1-16: a reflection

1He brought out of him a man of mercy, who found favor in the sight of all people, a man loved by God and men, even Moses, whose memory is blessed. 2He made him equal to the glory of the saints, and magnified him in the fears of his enemies. 3By his words he caused the wonders to cease. God glorified him in the sight of kings. He gave him commandments for his people and showed him part of his glory. 4He sanctified him in his faithfulness and meekness. He chose him out of all people. 5He made him to hear his voice, led him into the thick darkness, and gave him commandments face to face, even the law of life and knowledge, that he might teach Jacob the covenant, and Israel his judgments. 6He exalted Aaron, a holy man like Moses, even his brother, of the tribe of Levi. 7He established an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the people. He blessed him with stateliness, and dressed him in a glorious robe. 8He clothed him in perfect splendor, and strengthened him with symbols of authority: the linen trousers, the long robe, and the ephod. 9He encircled him with pomegranates; with many golden bells around him, to make a sound as he went, to make a sound that might be heard in the temple, for a reminder for the children of his people; 10with a holy garment, with gold, blue, and purple, the work of the embroiderer; with an oracle of judgment—Urim and Thummim; 11with twisted scarlet, the work of the craftsman; with precious stones engraved like a signet, in a setting of gold, the work of the jeweller, for a reminder engraved in writing, after the number of the tribes of Israel; 12with a crown of gold upon the mitre, having engraved on it, as on a signet, “HOLINESS”, an ornament of honor, the work of an expert, the desires of the eyes, goodly and beautiful. 13Before him there never have been anything like it. No stranger put them on, but only his sons and his offspring perpetually. 14His sacrifices shall be wholly burned, twice every day continually. 15Moses consecrated him, and anointed him with holy oil. It was an everlasting covenant with him and to his offspring, all the days of heaven, to minister to the Lord, to serve as a priest, and to bless his people in his name. 16He chose him out of all living to offer sacrifice to the Lord— incense, and a sweet fragrance, for a memorial, to make atonement for your people.

In praising Moses, Sirach highlights the character for which God chose and honored him: his faithfulness and his meekness. God sanctified him in his faithfulness and meekness, Sirach says of Moses; he chose him out of all people. It was not for might, wealth, or self-assertion that God chose and used Moses, but for his faithfulness, his reliability and trustworthiness in God's service, and his meekness, his humility before God. God chose and equipped one marked by faithfulness and meekness for a great work. This shows the character God honors and uses: faithfulness and meekness. God chose and used Moses for his faithfulness and meekness. God honors and uses those marked by faithfulness and humility. Faithfulness and meekness, not self-assertion, are what God values. God equips for service those he finds faithful and meek.

Notice the qualities singled out in Moses, for which God chose and honored him: faithfulness and meekness. Not his abilities, his eloquence (which he lacked), his self-confidence, or his greatness in the world's eyes, but his faithfulness, his reliable, trustworthy service to God, and his meekness, his humility, his lowliness before God. These were the qualities God valued and used. This reflects something about the character God honors and equips for his service. God does not primarily look for the impressive, the self-assertive, the greatly gifted in the world's terms; he looks for faithfulness, for those who can be trusted to serve him reliably, and for meekness, for those humble enough to be led and used by him. Moses was chosen and equipped not for his own greatness but for his faithfulness and humility before God. This encourages us. We may feel we lack the impressive gifts or self-confidence that seem needed for God's service; but what God values and uses is faithfulness and meekness, qualities of character available to any who will cultivate them. God can use the faithful and humble greatly, whatever their other gifts. We do well to cultivate faithfulness and meekness, the character God honors and uses. God values faithfulness and meekness over impressive gifts. Cultivate the faithfulness and humility that God honors and uses. God equips the faithful and meek for his service. What God seeks is not self-assertion but faithful, humble service.

That is worth taking to heart, for God honors and uses those marked by faithfulness and meekness, as he chose and equipped Moses for these qualities rather than for worldly greatness. We can think God's service requires impressive gifts or self-confidence we may lack; but God chose Moses for his faithfulness and meekness, not his greatness. God values faithful, humble character. Cultivate faithfulness and meekness, the character God honors and uses, rather than striving for impressive gifts or self-assertion. Cultivate the faithfulness and meekness that God honors and uses, rather than striving for the impressive gifts or self-assertion that the world values, as Sirach praised Moses as one whom God sanctified in his faithfulness and meekness and chose out of all people; for it was not for might, wealth, eloquence, or self-assertion that God chose and used Moses, but for his faithfulness, his reliable and trustworthy service to God, and his meekness, his humility and lowliness before God, and this reflects the character God honors and equips for his service, since he does not primarily look for the impressive, the self-assertive, or the greatly gifted in the world's terms but for those who can be trusted to serve him reliably and are humble enough to be led and used by him, so that we, who may feel we lack the impressive gifts or self-confidence that seem needed, can be encouraged that what God values and uses is faithfulness and meekness, qualities available to any who will cultivate them, and that God can use the faithful and humble greatly whatever their other gifts, so that we do well to cultivate faithfulness and meekness rather than striving for worldly impressiveness.

Lord, in praising Moses, Sirach highlights the character for which you chose and honored him: his faithfulness and his meekness. God sanctified him in his faithfulness and meekness, Sirach says of Moses; he chose him out of all people. It was not for might, wealth, or self-assertion that you chose and used Moses, but for his faithfulness, his reliability and trustworthiness in your service, and his meekness, his humility before you. You chose and equipped one marked by faithfulness and meekness for a great work. This shows the character you honor and use: faithfulness and meekness. Show me the qualities singled out in Moses, for which you chose and honored him: faithfulness and meekness. Not his abilities, his eloquence, which he lacked, his self-confidence, or his greatness in the world's eyes, but his faithfulness, his reliable service to you, and his meekness, his humility before you. These were the qualities you valued and used. This reflects something about the character you honor and equip for your service. You do not primarily look for the impressive, the self-assertive, the greatly gifted in the world's terms; you look for faithfulness, for those who can be trusted to serve you reliably, and for meekness, for those humble enough to be led and used by you. This encourages me. I may feel I lack the impressive gifts or self-confidence that seem needed for your service; but what you value and use is faithfulness and meekness, qualities of character available to any who will cultivate them. Take that to my heart, for you honor and use those marked by faithfulness and meekness. Keep me from thinking your service requires impressive gifts or self-assertion I may lack; help me cultivate faithfulness and meekness, Lord, the character you honor and use, as you chose and equipped Moses for these rather than for worldly greatness, that you may use my faithful, humble service whatever my other gifts.