The kiln tests the work of the potter,
the test of a man is in his conversation.
The orchard where the tree grows is judged on the quality of its fruit,
similarly a man’s words betray what he feels.
Do not praise a man before he has spoken,
since this is the test of men.
Sirach 27:5-7
Written by Jesus or Joshua ben Sirach in the first part of the 2nd Century BC, the book of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus belongs to the Catholic and Orthodox biblical canon (but not the Jewish or Protestant canons). It forms part of the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. The work focuses on a number of ethical topics. In this instance – on right speech.
Ben Sirach advises that, ‘the test of a man is in his conversation’. Just think about that for a moment. I am no better than the words that come out of my mouth – for while an orchard may be judged by the quality of its fruit, and the result of a potter’s labour by a kiln – so too is our conversation – our behaviour – a test of our humanity.
Three instances have grabbed the headlines in the last few weeks: one, the conversation between Sarah Abu Lebdeh and Ahmad Rashad Nadir with Max Veifer; two, Marty Sheargold’s comments on the Matildas and women’s sport in general; and, three, Northern Territory’s chief minister Lia Finocchiaro calling Aboriginal Country acknowledgements ‘divisive’ and refusing to acknowledge the Larrakia people when commemorating the bombing of Darwin. That’s just three instances.
What value do we place on what people say? Now that the air of Federal elections is upon us and about us, many of us put our cynical hats on. Do we believe a word they say? How do you change words into actions?
The proof of our humanity is that our words are truth, that what we say, will be.
The ancient Hebrew scriptures’ use of Dabar (Word) reveals God’s utterances that become reality, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. (Genesis 1). While we cannot emulate the power of God’s Word, we can ensure that when we speak, that the words we utter are spoken with honesty, integrity and with the fullest intention that we will put in action what we say.
We must take the greatest care that hurtful, demeaning and offensive words are never uttered.
Mr Peter Douglas
Director of Faith and Mission
