Sirach Praises Prophet Elisha [Eliseus]



Sirach Chapter 48

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12 Elias it was, who was covered with a whirlwind: and Eliseus was filled with his spirit: whilst he lived, he was not moved with the presence of any prince, neither could any bring him into subjection.

13 No word could overcome him; and after his death his body prophesied.

14 He did wonders in his life, and at his death were his works marvellous.

15 For all this the people repented not, neither departed they from their sins, till they were spoiled and carried out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth: yet there remained a small people, and a ruler in the house of David:

16 Of whom some did that which was pleasing to God, and some multiplied sins.

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Story of Naboth's Vineyard Perceivable in Shakespeare's Macbeth

Taken from: http://home.ptd.net/~msteen/benintende_macbeth.htm

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Shakespeare's primary source of inspiration for Macbeth came from Holinshed's Chronicles; however, he altered history and many aspects of the story fictionalized to gain the interest and favor of King James. Shakespeare's secondary source, inspiring many details of the tragedy, was the Christian Bible. Adding an interesting human element to Macbeth was the interaction between Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth. Despite, and perhaps because of his genius, Shakespeare did not create his characters and their interactions without drawing from an outside source, notably the Bible. One of the similarities between these works can be traced from Macbeth and his �fiendlike� lady back to Ahab and Jezebel. In the book of Kings, Ahab desires the vineyard of Naboth. At the urging of his wife, Jezebel, the two frame Naboth, having him stoned to death in order to seize his lands. In comparison, Macbeth desires the throne of Scotland. Just as Jezebel urged Ahab, Lady Macbeth schemes and encourages a treasonous plot to allow her husband to assume the power he craves (Burgess 87-88). Following the acquisition of their desired ends, (Ahab�s vineyards of Naboth, and Macbeth�s crown of Scotland), both men are haunted by similar prophetic truths. The Lord told Elijah to warn Ahab that �In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood� The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel�(1 Kings 22:19, 23). Macbeth realizes himself that ��blood will have blood./Stones have been known to speak./Augurs and understood relations have�/Brought forth�The secret�st man of blood� (3.4.125). Both men are doomed to pay for their misdeeds from the time they are committed, and they realize their eventual demise. Ahab is killed and left for �the dogs� as Naboth was, and Macbeth is aware that the murders of Duncan and Banquo will only lead to more bloodshed, ending with his own. In the action following both stories remain true to the foreshadowing. Ahab is betrayed in battle, and Macbeth is murdered by his own Scotsmen. As Jezebel, once a strong female figure, was hurled from her chamber window; Lady Macbeth who also began her story as a strong influence over Macbeth ends her own life by hurling herself from a window (Burgess 90).

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The Fiery Prophet Elijah

Sirach 48

Elijah

1 Then there arose the fiery prophet Elijah, whose words blazed like a torch.2 He brought a famine on the people, and many of them died because of his persistence.3 Speaking in the name of the Lord, he kept the rain from coming, and on three occasions he called down fire.4 Elijah, your miracles were marvelous! No one else can boast of such deeds!5 In the name of the Most High, you brought a dead man back to life.6 You brought a famous king down to sickness and death.7 At Sinai you heard the Lord rebuke you and declare his determination to punish his enemies.8 You anointed a king to be the instrument of that punishment, and a prophet to take your place.9 You were taken up to heaven in a fiery whirlwind, a chariot drawn by fiery horses.10 The scripture says that you are ready to appear at the designated time,[a] to cool God's anger before it breaks out in fury; that you

will bring parents and children together again, and restore the tribes of Israel.11 Fortunate are those who live to see you come, as well as those who have already died in love, for we too shall live.[b]

Elisha

12 When Elijah was hidden by the whirlwind, Elisha was filled with his spirit. As long as he lived, he was not afraid of rulers, and they could not make him do as they wished.13 Nothing was too hard for him. Even when he was dead, his body worked a miracle.14 In life and in death he performed amazing miracles.

15 But in spite of all this, the people did not abandon their sinful ways until they were taken from their land as prisoners and scattered all over the world. This left the nation few in number, but those who remained were still ruled by the descendants of David.16 Some of the people did what was pleasing to the Lord, but others committed sin after sin.

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