Chapter XI · Location 11 of 19
Chapter 11 · Open to readFrom Wisdom · Douay–Rheims / Challoner (1749–1752)
What does Wisdom Chapter 11 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?
Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary
Water benefits Israel while water punishes enemies, as separately explained by the edition note. Fatherly trial, hostile torment and hypothetical beasts lead to measure, number and weight. The prayer praises divine mercy, creation’s dependence and love for souls.
Chapter breakdown
Wisdom 11 says wisdom prospered works through the holy prophet; the edition note identifies Moses. People traveled uninhabited wilderness, pitched tents and confronted enemies; a note identifies Amalecites. Thirst led to prayer and water from high rock and hard stone. The same element benefited Israel and punished enemies: the separate note explains Egyptian waters turned to blood while Israel had plenty, and a later rock-water miracle relieved Israel. Verses describe human blood instead of running river, reproof for infant murder and unexpected abundant water. Israel's merciful trial is contrasted with wicked torment, fatherly admonition with a severe king's condemnation. Opponents suffered present or absent, groaned over past events, remembered the Lord on hearing others benefited and admired the one formerly scorned when exposed to perish.
Worship of dumb serpents and worthless beasts brought a multitude of dumb beasts in vengeance; the note lists frogs, sciniphs, flies and locusts. The passage says the things of sin become things of torment. God's hand, maker of the world from formless matter, could have sent bears, lions or unfamiliar creatures breathing fire or smoke or emitting eye sparks, terrifying by sight. One blast could also destroy them, but God ordered all in measure, number and weight. These unrealized possibilities are not actual monster attacks.
God alone has great power and an irresistible arm; the world is a tiny balance grain or morning-dew drop, not raindrop. The prayer says God has mercy on all, overlooks sins for repentance, loves all existing things and hates none he made. Nothing could endure without his will or be preserved without his calling. He spares all because they are his, the Lord who loves souls. No foul stagnant water, simultaneous timing of the later rock miracle, or guaranteed individual preservation is added.
The story inside
Opening: Water benefits Israel while water punishes enemies, as separately explained by the edition note. Development: Fatherly trial, hostile torment and hypothetical beasts lead to measure, number and weight. Conclusion: The prayer praises divine mercy, creation’s dependence and love for souls.
Lessons worth keeping
- 1Water benefits Israel while water punishes enemies, as separately explained by the edition note.
- 2Fatherly trial, hostile torment and hypothetical beasts lead to measure, number and weight.
- 3The prayer praises divine mercy, creation’s dependence and love for souls.
Test your recall
Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?
Source edition and notes
Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.
Lines 72395–72397
11:14. For when they heard that by their punishments the others were benefited, they remembered the Lord, wondering at the end of what was come to pass.
Lines 72445–72448
thing hating it. 11:26. And how could any thing endure, if thou wouldst not? or be preserved, if not called by thee?
