What does Wisdom Chapter 12 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

Gradual judgments against accused ancient inhabitants are described alongside opportunity for repentance. God’s justice and tranquil power are distinguished from condemning the undeserving. Humaneness, covenant hope and the worshippers’ final acknowledgment close the chapter.

Chapter breakdown

Wisdom 12 calls God's Spirit good and sweet in all things, then describes gradual chastisement and admonition so offenders may leave wickedness and believe. It accuses ancient holy-land inhabitants of sorcery, wicked sacrifices, murdering children, consuming human bowels and blood and sacrificing helpless souls. A separate edition note interprets consecration as the sacred land where temple and redemption were to be established. The passage says destruction through the ancestors was intended to make way for a worthy colony of God's children, yet the inhabitants were spared as men and wasps preceded the host to destroy gradually.

God could have subdued them by war or beasts or destroyed them with one rough word. Gradual judgments gave repentance's place despite knowledge of their wicked generation, natural malice and unchangeable thought; the passage calls the seed cursed, without applying this to present populations. Forgiveness was not from fear. Questions ask who can resist judgment or accuse God for perishing nations. No other God cares for all; kings and tyrants cannot inquire about the destroyed. God orders justly and will not condemn one undeserving of punishment. Power begins justice, universal lordship brings graciousness, unbelief prompts displays of power and boldness is convicted. He judges tranquilly with power available at will.

These works teach God's people to be just and humane and give hope because judgment allows repentance. Deliberation toward deserving enemies is compared with care for covenant children. When judging, they should remember goodness; when judged, hope for mercy. Foolish unjust worshippers were tormented by their objects of worship, worthless beasts, mocked like senseless children. Those not amended suffered worthy judgment and acknowledged the formerly denied true God as their condemnation came. The text does not say incorruptible Spirit dwells throughout creation here, give a thousandfold scourging, or describe every punishment as gentle gradual correction.

The story inside

Opening: Gradual judgments against accused ancient inhabitants are described alongside opportunity for repentance. Development: God’s justice and tranquil power are distinguished from condemning the undeserving. Conclusion: Humaneness, covenant hope and the worshippers’ final acknowledgment close the chapter.

Lessons worth keeping

1
Gradual judgments against accused ancient inhabitants are described alongside opportunity for repentance.
2
God’s justice and tranquil power are distinguished from condemning the undeserving.
3
Humaneness, covenant hope and the worshippers’ final acknowledgment close the chapter.

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 72458–72461
12:1. O how good and sweet is thy Spirit, O Lord, in all things! 12:2. And therefore thou chastisest them that err, by little and little: and admonishest them, and speakest to them, concerning the
Lines 72506–72509
thou shouldst shew that thou dost not give judgment unjustly. 12:14. Neither shall king, nor tyrant, in thy sight inquire about them whom thou hast destroyed.