them only through angels, but as directly and
personally interested in the experiences and life of the individual. In
23:1, 4 he addresses him as Lord, Father, and Master of my life. Thus he
employs in the personal sense the term Father, which was most often on the
lips of the Great Teacher of Nazareth. In Ben Sira's stalwart faith and
simple trust there is also much that reminds us of the Greater than
Solomon. Like the teachers who had preceded him, he had, however, no clear
belief in individual immortality (cf. 41:3-4, 38:16, 23) The only reward
after death that he could hold up before a good man was his reputation:

A good life has its number of days,
But a good name continues forever.

Consistent with the orthodox wisdom school, he taught that rewards for
right living came in this life:

Delight not in the delights of the wicked;
Remember they shall not go unpunished to the grave.

Even though he lacked the inspiration of future hope, Ben Sira taught
loyalty to God and fidelity to every duty. Justice toward all,
consideration for the needs of the suffering and dependent, and generosity
to the poor are constantly urged by this noblest Jew of the age.

Section CVIII. THE CAUSES OF THE MACCABEAN STRUGGLE

[Sidenote: I Macc. 1:10-15]
Now there came forth from [Alexander's successors] a sinful root,
Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been a hostage at
Rome, and he began to reign in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of
the Syrian rule (175 B.C.). In those days there appeared certain lawless
Israelites who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with
the heathen about us; for since we have stood aloof from them many evils
have befallen us. And the proposal met with approval. And certain of the
people were ready to do it, and went to the king who gave them the right
to do as the heathen. Then they built a place for gymnastic exercise in
Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen. They also made
themselves uncircumcised, and, forsaking the holy covenant, fraternized
with the heathen, and sold themselves to do evil.

[Sidenote: I Macc. 1:16-19]
Now when Antiochus saw that his authority was well established, he thought
to reign over Egypt, that he might reign over the two kingdoms. So he
invaded Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots and elephants and
horsemen, and with a great navy. And he made war against Ptolemy, king of
Egypt. And Ptolemy was defeated by him