Екклезиастик (Книга Премудрости Иисуса, сына Сирахова), Глава 16, стих 27. Толкования стиха

IN THE DESERT WE MEET GOD. EUCHERIUS: There is the story of the man who asked another where he thought God could be found, and the other responded, “Run close behind me!” So he ran behind him, until they came to a wide desert. The guide then showed him the peace of that vast solitude and said, “Here is where God is!” And indeed, is it not right to think that God would be more easily reachable there? Even at the beginning of time, when God made all things with wisdom, adapting them one by one for future needs, he in no way left this part of the world useless and without importance. Indeed, since he created everything not only because he felt generous at that moment but especially because he already knew the future, he provided solitary places. I think he did this for the saints who would frequent them—this is how I see it. God wanted to give the places that are rich in fruit to others and to the saints, instead of those more generous lands, this fruitful one. In this way the deserts would also become fertile, and the valleys would be covered with abundant crops, while he “from on high would water the mountains,” thus remedying the unproductiveness of those places, filling a barren place with inhabitants. IN PRAISE OF SOLITUDE 4-5.

Вопреки общему убеждению евреев, смотревших на многочадие, как на благословение Божие, писатель советует не желать множества чад, если они будут нечестивы, и указывает на поразительные примеры истребления множества людей за нечестие в потопе, в огне Содома, в 40-летнем странствовании по пустыне (16, 1—11 до половины ст.): так что трудно допустить, чтобы и один грешник избежал строгаго суда Божия, напрасно бы кто-нибудь воображал, что всеведущий Господа может не заметить нечестия ничтожнаго человека 11—23). И потому наставник приглашает сына к познанию Промысла Божия, в делах мира (24—31)