These selected verses from Ecclesiasticus are amongst my favourite Wisdom texts. They capture exactly for me the importance of good work, diligent and conscientious attention, skill harnessed to creative purpose, and human activity that helps maintain the fabric of the world. The labourers and artisans mentioned here are not politicians, lawyers, academics, consultants, CEO's, movers and shakers – if anything, they are the ones who make sure that life goes on, things are done, necessities are made, and that this activity is every bit as important as professional, financial, and management in the building of community and the provision of what is essential in human life. The passage is really saying that these are people who let their hands do their talking – leaving the talking to those who have time for it!
The photo of Paisley Abbey was taken from the steps of the Town Hall, in a hurry, during the interval at a concert on a summer evening. There wasn't time to outflank the lamp post or move the parked cars – so it looks like what it is, an 850 year old place of worship plonked right in the middle of the town. It too shows the skill and work of those who maintain the fabric of the world.
Maintaining
the Fabric of the World
The wisdom of the scribe comes by opportunity of leisure; And he that has little business shall become
wise.
How shall he become wise that holds the plough, That glorieth in
the shaft of the goad, That driveth oxen, and is occupied in their labours, And
whose discourse is of the stock of bulls? He will set his heart upon turning
his furrows; And his wakefulness is to give his heifers their fodder.
So is every artificer and workmaster, That passeth his time by night
as by day; They that cut gravings of signets, And his diligence is to make
great variety; He will set his heart to preserve likeness in his portraiture,
And will be wakeful to finish his work.
So is the smith sitting by the anvil,
And considering the unwrought iron:
The vapor of the fire will waste his flesh; And in the heat of the
furnace will he wrestle with his work: The noise of the hammer will be ever in
his ear, And his eyes are upon the pattern of the vessel; He will set his heart
upon perfecting his works, And he will be wakeful to adorn them perfectly.
So is the potter sitting at his work, And turning the wheel about
with his feet, Who is always anxiously set at his work, And all his handywork
is by number; He will fashion the clay with his arm, And
will bend its strength in front of his feet; He will apply his heart to finish
the glazing; And he will be wakeful to make clean the furnace.
All these put their trust in their hands; And each becometh wise in
his own work. Without these shall not a city be inhabited, And men shall not
sojourn nor walk up and down therein. They shall not be sought for in the
council of the people, And in the assembly they shall not mount on high; They
shall not sit on the seat of the judge, And they shall not understand the
covenant of judgement: Neither shall they declare instruction and judgement;
But they will maintain the fabric of the world; And in the
handywork of their craft is their prayer.
Ecclesiasticus 38.
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