Read & explore together
No one is lost from God’s sight in the vast creation
This wisdom passage warns against thinking anyone is too small or too hidden for the Lord to notice. It contrasts human smallness with God’s vast creation, power and ways that people cannot fully understand.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In Sirach 16:17–23, the speaker answers a claim that a person could be forgotten because creation is so large and people are so many. The passage responds by describing the Lord’s power over heaven, earth and mountains, then says many of his works and ways are beyond human understanding.
Sirach 16:17–23Main takeaway
This passage teaches that people should not assume they are hidden from the Lord, even though his works and ways are far greater than human understanding.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Do not say you are hiddenThe passage begins by correcting a specific thought: “I will be hidden from the Lord” and “Who will remember me?”
Explanation
The passage begins by correcting a specific thought: “I will be hidden from the Lord” and “Who will remember me?” The speaker also quotes the feeling of being tiny in “a boundless creation”. This shows the issue clearly. The problem is not creation’s size, but the mistaken conclusion that the Lord would not know or remember a person.
02Creation trembles at his visitThe next verses answer that mistaken thought by describing the Lord’s power. “Heaven, the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth” are moved when he visits.
Explanation
The next verses answer that mistaken thought by describing the Lord’s power. “Heaven, the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth” are moved when he visits. Mountains and the earth’s foundations shake when he looks at them. The point is not to map the universe, but to show that the Lord is not limited by the size of creation.
03His ways are beyond full human graspAfter describing creation’s trembling, the passage turns to human understanding. It says no heart will think about these things fully, and asks who could comprehend his ways.
Explanation
After describing creation’s trembling, the passage turns to human understanding. It says no heart will think about these things fully, and asks who could comprehend his ways. God’s works are compared to a tempest no one can see, with many of his works hidden. This stresses human limits, not God’s absence.
04Foolish thinking about GodThe passage ends with more questions: who can declare his righteous works, and who will wait for them, since his covenant is afar off?
Explanation
The passage ends with more questions: who can declare his righteous works, and who will wait for them, since his covenant is afar off? Then it warns that the person lacking understanding thinks foolishly about these matters. The closing contrast invites readers to humility rather than confident, careless conclusions about what God can or cannot see.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What mistaken words does the passage tell a person not to say?
Look at the quoted statements in the first verse and notice how they assume the Lord will not see or remember someone because creation is vast.
02How do verses 18 and 19 answer the idea that someone could be unnoticed by the Lord?
Notice that heaven, earth, mountains and foundations all react to his visit and his look, showing his power over the whole creation.
03According to the end of the passage, what attitude is wise when thinking about God’s works and ways?
Use the contrast between hidden works, ways people cannot fully comprehend, and the warning against lacking understanding and thinking foolishly.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 16:17–23
17Don’t say, “I will be hidden from the Lord,” and “Who will remember me from on high?” I will not be known among so many people, for what is my soul in a boundless creation?
18Behold, heaven, the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, will be moved when he visits.
19The mountains and the foundations of the earth together are shaken with trembling when he looks at them.
20No heart will think about these things. Who could comprehend his ways?
21Like a tempest which no man can see, so, the majority of his works are hidden.
22Who will declare his works of righteousness? Who will wait for them? For his covenant is afar off.
23He who is lacking in understanding thinks about these things. An unwise and erring man thinks foolishly.