Lesson sequence
Sirach 49: Josiah’s reform is remembered with delight
Sirach 49:1–3; Sirach 49:4–7; Sirach 49:8–10; Sirach 49:11–13; Sirach 49:14–16
These verses honour Josiah with warm, joyful language. Sirach does not retell a full story here. Instead, it gives a wise remembrance of a king whose actions and devotion brought help to the people in troubled times. This lesson also brings together Failed kings and a ruined city frame Jeremiah’s calling, Ezekiel and the twelve prophets are remembered, Restoration leaders rebuild sanctuary and city, A final glance honors primeval ancestors and Joseph.
Before you teach
In this part of Sirach, Josiah is remembered in a short praise saying. The passage uses comparisons from perfume, honey, music and a banquet to describe how pleasing his memory is. It then explains why he is remembered well: he reformed the people, removed what was evil, and set his heart toward the Lord.
Explain the central teaching of Sirach 49: Josiah’s reform is remembered with delight, using two details from the reading. This passage teaches that faithful leadership and wholehearted devotion to the Lord can be remembered as a deep blessing to others. This passage says that abandoning the law of the Most High is wicked, while Jeremiah is presented as sanctified in the womb for prophetic work despite being mistreated. Sirach remembers Ezekiel through a vision of glory and words about enemies and right ways, and it honours the twelve prophets in connection with comfort and confident hope. Sirach 49:11–13 teaches that these leaders are remembered for work that strengthened the Lord’s people and their place of worship. This passage honours named ancestors by stating, in a few direct lines, the particular distinction each one has.
Your lesson sequence
Use the teaching outline below for each session, with these reading and activity choices.
Josiah’s reform is remembered with delight
Sirach 49:1–3
This passage teaches that faithful leadership and wholehearted devotion to the Lord can be remembered as a deep blessing to others.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Sirach 49:1–3. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Failed kings and a ruined city frame Jeremiah’s calling
Sirach 49:4–7
This passage says that abandoning the law of the Most High is wicked, while Jeremiah is presented as sanctified in the womb for prophetic work despite being mistreated.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Sirach 49:4–7. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Ezekiel and the twelve prophets are remembered
Sirach 49:8–10
Sirach remembers Ezekiel through a vision of glory and words about enemies and right ways, and it honours the twelve prophets in connection with comfort and confident hope.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Sirach 49:8–10. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Restoration leaders rebuild sanctuary and city
Sirach 49:11–13
Sirach 49:11–13 teaches that these leaders are remembered for work that strengthened the Lord’s people and their place of worship.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Sirach 49:11–13. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
A final glance honors primeval ancestors and Joseph
Sirach 49:14–16
This passage honours named ancestors by stating, in a few direct lines, the particular distinction each one has.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Sirach 49:14–16. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Welcome: Sirach 49: Josiah’s reform is remembered with delight
5 minIntroduce “Josiah’s reform is remembered with delight”, “Failed kings and a ruined city frame Jeremiah’s calling”, “Ezekiel and the twelve prophets are remembered”, “Restoration leaders rebuild sanctuary and city”, “A final glance honors primeval ancestors and Joseph” and locate Sirach 49:1–3; Sirach 49:4–7; Sirach 49:8–10; Sirach 49:11–13; Sirach 49:14–16. This passage teaches that faithful leadership and wholehearted devotion to the Lord can be remembered as a deep blessing to others. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for. Choose the reading for today’s session from the sequence above.
Sirach 49:1, Sirach 49:2, Sirach 49:3
Read and explain the passage
12 minJosiah’s reform is remembered with delight (Sirach 49:1–3): Sirach says Josiah’s memory is like carefully prepared incense. It is also described as sweet as honey and like music at a wine banquet. These pictures show pleasure, beauty and welcome. The passage is praising not only Josiah’s actions, but also the lasting sweetness of remembering him.
Failed kings and a ruined city frame Jeremiah’s calling (Sirach 49:4–7): Sirach begins with a strong exception. David, Hezekiah, and Josiah are set apart, while the rest are called wicked because they abandoned the law of the Most High. The passage does not list each king’s actions here. It gives a summary judgement and says the kings of Judah came to an end.
Ezekiel and the twelve prophets are remembered (Sirach 49:8–10): The first statement focuses on what Ezekiel saw: “the vision of glory”. Sirach says God showed him this vision “on the chariot of the cherubim”. The verse does not explain the image further here. Its main point is that Ezekiel is remembered for receiving a striking revelation that God showed him.
Restoration leaders rebuild sanctuary and city (Sirach 49:11–13): The writer begins with a question: “How shall we magnify Zerubbabel?” This is a way of expressing high honour. Zerubbabel is then compared to “a signet ring on the right hand”, an image of nearness, value and importance. The verse does not explain the picture further, but it clearly presents him as greatly esteemed.
A final glance honors primeval ancestors and Joseph (Sirach 49:14–16): The passage begins with a strong claim about Enoch: “No man was created upon the earth like Enoch.” The verse itself gives the reason for this special statement: “for he was taken up from the earth.” Nothing more is explained here, but the wording clearly sets Enoch apart.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Josiah’s reform is remembered with delight”, “Failed kings and a ruined city frame Jeremiah’s calling”, “Ezekiel and the twelve prophets are remembered”, “Restoration leaders rebuild sanctuary and city”, “A final glance honors primeval ancestors and Joseph”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Sirach 49:1, Sirach 49:4, Sirach 49:8, Sirach 49:11, Sirach 49:14
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What images does Sirach use to describe Josiah’s memory, and what do they suggest?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This passage honours named ancestors by stating, in a few direct lines, the particular distinction each one has. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Sirach 49:1, Sirach 49:10, Sirach 49:15
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Sirach 49: Josiah’s reform is remembered with delight: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Josiah’s reform is remembered with delight”, “Failed kings and a ruined city frame Jeremiah’s calling”, “Ezekiel and the twelve prophets are remembered”, “Restoration leaders rebuild sanctuary and city”, “A final glance honors primeval ancestors and Joseph” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Sirach 49:1, Sirach 49:9, Sirach 49:16
Closing: return to A final glance honors primeval ancestors and Joseph
3 minRevisit Sirach 49:14–16. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about A final glance honors primeval ancestors and Joseph and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Sirach 49:14, Sirach 49:15, Sirach 49:16
Questions to explore
What images does Sirach use to describe Josiah’s memory, and what do they suggest?
Look closely at the comparisons to incense, honey and music, and notice that each one points to something pleasant and valued.
Sirach 49:1
What two actions are named in the final sentence of verse 10?
Read the last line carefully and identify both what happened for the people of Jacob and the means named in the verse.
Sirach 49:10
Which words in the passage describe Joseph’s service to others?
Look for the phrases that name Joseph’s role toward his kindred and the people.
Sirach 49:15
Make, think or respond
Sirach 49: Josiah’s reform is remembered with delight: Wisdom comparison cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage commends”, “What it warns against”, “The reason or outcome stated”.
- Read Sirach 49:1–3; Sirach 49:4–7; Sirach 49:8–10; Sirach 49:11–13. Use “Josiah’s reform is remembered with delight”, “Failed kings and a ruined city frame Jeremiah’s calling”, “Ezekiel and the twelve prophets are remembered”, “Restoration leaders rebuild sanctuary and city” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write a proposed everyday example beside one teaching. Label it as your example and explain which words in the text guided it.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Sirach 49: Josiah’s reform is remembered with delight connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Josiah’s reform is remembered with delight”, “Failed kings and a ruined city frame Jeremiah’s calling”, “Ezekiel and the twelve prophets are remembered”, “Restoration leaders rebuild sanctuary and city”, “A final glance honors primeval ancestors and Joseph” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Sirach 49:1–3; Sirach 49:4–7; Sirach 49:8–10; Sirach 49:11–13; Sirach 49:14–16. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Sirach 49:1–3; Sirach 49:4–7; Sirach 49:8–10; Sirach 49:11–13; Sirach 49:14–16. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Sirach 49
1 The memory of Josiah is like the composition of incense prepared by the work of the perfumer. It will be sweet as honey in every mouth, and like music at a banquet of wine.
2 He did what was right in the reforming of the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity.
3 He set his heart right toward the Lord. In lawless days, he made godliness prevail.
4 Except David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, all were wicked, because they abandoned the law of the Most High. The kings of Judah came to an end.
5 They gave their power to others, and their glory to a foreign nation.
6 They set the chosen city of the sanctuary on fire and made her streets desolate, as it was written by the hand of Jeremiah.
7 For they mistreated him; yet he was sanctified in the womb to be a prophet, to root out, to afflict, to destroy and likewise to build and to plant.
8 Ezekiel saw the vision of glory, which God showed him on the chariot of the cherubim.
9 For truly he remembered the enemies in rainstorm, and to do good to those who directed their ways aright.
10 Also of the twelve prophets, may their bones flourish again out of their place. He comforted the people of Jacob, and delivered them by confident hope.
11 How shall we magnify Zerubbabel? He was like a signet ring on the right hand.
12 So was Jesus the son of Josedek, who in their days built the house, and exalted a people holy to the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory.
13 Also of Nehemiah the memory is great. He raised up for us fallen walls, set up the gates and bars, and rebuilt our houses.
14 No man was created upon the earth like Enoch, for he was taken up from the earth.
15 Nor was there a man born like Joseph, a leader of his kindred, a supporter of the people. Even his bones were cared for.
16 Shem and Seth were honored among men, but above every living thing in the creation was Adam.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.