This week we read the lengthy commemorative poem of “the fathers” in Sirach 44-50, comparing it with Wisdom of Solomon 10 and Hebrews 11, and understanding it by reference to other books in both the OT and the NT. Here we discover both the respect and realism of Sirach, as he remembers the great figures of the past, and see how the LORD used these for the benefit of all His people, until He came to be with us in the God-Man, and imparted His glory to all who believe, through the Holy Spirit.

In this episode we concentrate upon Sirach’s treatment of Lady Wisdom in chapters 24 and 51, noticing significant links with the Psalms and prophets, with Jesus’ own invitation to learn from Him, with Paul, and with the book of Revelation. The free offering of Wisdom and the mystery associated with it are both fulfilled in Christ.

In this episode, we consider the overall richness of the Wisdom of Sirach, and then zero in on the Prologue, with chapters 1-2, seeing their major themes of wisdom and fear of the LORD, and helped in this by considering Job 38-40, Proverbs 9, James 1-3, and Ephesians 1-4.

We read the third and final section of Wisdom of Solomon (chapters 10-19), in which we hear of Wisdom’s journeys with the Hebrew people, the power of the Word of God who joins earth and heaven, and the ever-present strength of the Holy Spirit to guide us on our journey. The section is clarified by reference especially to Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 15.

This week we consider the central section of the Wisdom of Solomon, where Wisdom is pictured for us as a radiant woman, who both seeks us and is to be sought above all things.

With the help of Romans 1 and 10-11, John 1, Hebrews 1, and various Church fathers, we understand her as pointing forward to the Son and the Holy Spirit, who make us friends of God.

In this episode we read the first section of Wisdom of Solomon (chapters 1-6), and understand its connection of righteousness and wisdom by means of Proverbs 8:8-18, 1 Cor 1:30-31, and the humble death of the God-Man for our sake.

We consider the exciting and curious book of Judith, paying attention to its genre, and its connections with the stories of Miriam, Jael (Judges 4), Rebecca (Gen 27), Tamar (Gen 38), Naomi and Ruth, and a passage about wisdom in 1 Corinthians. Judith gives us a pattern for humility and courage, even while we may have Christian questions regarding this story.

In this second reading of Tobit, we see its connection with Amos 8:10, Daniel 3:51-90, Revelation 21:18-21, and notice how the prophecies and prayers of the book both accompany its action, and speak in times of distress today.

This week we do an overview of the delightful story of Tobit, concentrating on its supporting characters, and stressing God’s unexpected provisions for us on the natural level.

In this episode we read Esther 3:13a-g, 5:1-13 LXX, and 8:12a-I, considering the royal decrees of the king, the dramatic scene where Esther enters his presence without invitation, and the misinformation about the Jewish people which he finally rejects. We are helped in seeing the significance of these fascinating scenes by recourse to Psalm 85/6, Phil 2:5-11, and 1 Timothy 2:1-2