Sirach 45:19 - The Lord saw it, and it displeased him; And in the wrath of his anger they were destroyed: He did wonders upon them, To consume them with flaming fire.

Generated Verse: Sirach 45:19

What does "Sirach 45:19" mean?


Sirach 45:19, "The Lord saw it, and it displeased him; And in the wrath of his anger they were destroyed: He did wonders upon them, To consume them with flaming fire," refers to an act of idolatry and disobedience that incurred God's wrath and resulted in destruction. Let's break it down:

"The Lord saw it, and it displeased him": God is omniscient (all-knowing) and observes human actions. The verse indicates that God witnessed a specific act or behavior that was morally wrong or violated his commands. The term "displeased him" implies that the action was offensive to God's character and holiness.

"And in the wrath of his anger they were destroyed": God's displeasure led to righteous anger and judgment. The consequence of their actions was destruction, suggesting a severe punishment for their disobedience. The severity of the punishment reflects the seriousness of the offense.

"He did wonders upon them, To consume them with flaming fire": The "wonders" imply that God used supernatural or extraordinary means to bring about the destruction. The phrase "consume them with flaming fire" suggests a specific form of divine punishment, possibly involving literal fire or a metaphor for intense judgment and destruction.

In the context of Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus), this verse likely refers to the story of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram from Numbers 16. They rebelled against Moses and Aaron's leadership and challenged their authority. As a result, God caused the earth to open up and swallow them and their followers, and a fire came from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering incense.

Therefore, this verse is a warning against idolatry and disobedience to God. It demonstrates that God is holy and just, and he will not tolerate sin. The consequences of rejecting God's commands can be severe and lead to destruction.

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