Ben Sira, that wise sage whose words have resonated for centuries, starts with that very feeling. "The sands of the seas, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity, who can count them?" he asks. It's a rhetorical question, of course. The answer is: nobody.
He doesn’t stop there. He pushes further. "The height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss, who can estimate?" Again, we're confronted with the immeasurable. We are faced with the recognition that some things are simply too vast for human comprehension.
But here's where it gets really interesting. Ben Sira isn’t just trying to overwhelm us with the infinite. He's setting the stage for something even grander. He says, "But exceeding the scope of these is wisdom, and truth is broader still."
Think about that for a moment. Wisdom, that elusive quality we all strive for, is even more boundless than the ocean, the sky, the deepest chasm. It's a concept that stretches our minds. And truth? Even broader.
This brings us to the heart of the matter. "To whom shall the root of wisdom be revealed," Ben Sira asks, "and who knows her wiles (nakednesses)?" The Hebrew word here, "'ormot," can be translated as "wiles" or "nakednesses," implying a deep, intimate knowledge, a vulnerability that is both alluring and daunting. Who really understands wisdom at its core?
The answer, according to Ben Sira, lies with God.
"He is uniquely awesome," Ben Sira proclaims, "God is executor of all of her treasuries." God alone holds the key to wisdom's vast riches. He oversees them, dispenses them.
And how does God choose to share this incredible gift? "He scrutinized her and examined her and counted her, and he gave her to his lovers." This isn't a random act. God deliberately chooses those who are worthy, those who are dedicated to truth and understanding. These are the "lovers" of wisdom.
The image is striking. God, carefully considering, meticulously examining, and then generously bestowing the gift of wisdom upon those who have proven themselves ready to receive it.
So, what does it all mean? Ben Sira invites us to contemplate the immensity of wisdom and truth, to recognize that they are gifts from God, and to strive to become the kind of people who are worthy of receiving them. Are we ready to be among those "lovers" of wisdom? What do we need to do to prepare ourselves to receive such a profound gift?