Sirach 36 – Jerusalem Bible note says the prayer here “reveals the sentiments of pious Jews about the year 190 just before the Maccabaean revolt” (1085). As a teacher of history, I find the Maccabaean revolt interesting to contemplate. In a way it was a revolt of very conservative religious leaders who were fed up with the dissolution of strict Jewish culture and practice. The young people of their day were fascinated by and drawn to the “worldly” values and universalism of the Hellenists. Probably most Quakers today would not have felt any sympathy for the Maccabaeans. They were the religious conservatives of their day.

The author here asks God to extend his realm beyond the Jews to all nations. “Let them acknowledge you, just as we have acknowledged that there is no God but you, Lord” (36:4).

“Rouse your fury, pour out your rage, destroy the opponent, annihilate the enemy” (36:6).

“Show compassion on your holy city . . .Bear witness to those you created in the beginning [the Patriarchs?], and bring about what has been prophesied in your name. Give those who wait for you their reward, and let your prophets be proved worthy of belief” (36:12-15).

“The man who takes a wife has the makings of a fortune [or ‘the best of possessions’], a helper that suits him, and a pillar to lean on . . .when a man has no wife, he is aimless and querulous [‘a tramp and a wanderer’]” (36:24-25).

Acts 17:1-14 – Mission to Thessalonika - They pass through Amphipolis and Apollonia on their way to Thessalonika, where there was a synagogue. They stay for three weeks, presenting their message, using arguments from scripture (17:2) to show that Jesus was the Christ. A number of Jews, Greek fellow-worshippers and some wealthy women are converted – Aristarchus is one. Some members of the synagogue, however, are angry and stir up the city. They accuse Paul and the others of trying to claim Jesus as a rival emperor (17:7).

Ray Brown points out that the “charges” brought against Paul “resembles the list of charges against Jesus before Pilate in Luke 23:2—a list found only in Luke” (310). The charges against Jesus are inciting people to revolt, opposing the payment of tribute to the Roman emperor and claiming to be a king (Christ). Here Paul is accused with the entire Christian community of “turning the whole world upside down” and breaking “every one of Caesar’s edicts by claiming that there is another emperor, Jesus” (17:6-7).

Paul and Silas are sent away to Beroea (just south of Thessalonika) where they find the Jews more accepting. Every day “they studied the scriptures to check whether it was true” (17:11). Interesting this searching of the Old Testament – they will find so much in their to link Jesus to the narrative in multiple ways. Interesting also that Luke points out so directly that many women – apparently quite influential and wealthy in this region – are drawn to the message of Paul and Silas. The angry people from Thessalonika come after them, and Paul moves further south to Athens while Silas and Timothy remain for a while.