What Is The Book of Ahikar?
The Wisdom of Ahikar is one of the most ancient sources of human thought and wisdom. There are elements of this story within the scriptures, both the Torah and the Gospels and Epistles.
The date of this story has been a subject of lively discussion. Scholars finally put it down about the First Century when they were proved in error by the original story turning up in an Aramaic papyrus of 500 B. C. among the ruins of Elephantine.
I've decided, for your reading pleasure, to paraphrase the ancient story and wisdom here on the HIVE blockchain. To read the original ancient text, click here
This is an original retelling (paraphrase) of the Wisdom of Ahikar, originally posted on Steemit.com about four years ago, updated and reposted here on HIVE for a new audience.
Here Begins the Wisdom of Ahikar
We begin learning of this man named Ahikar. He was a Vizier in the days of King Sennacherib, son of Sarhadum, King of Assyria and Nineveh.
He was known by his vast fortune and for his goods. He was skillful and wise. A philosopher, great in knowledge and in opinion. He was influential in government. He also had a multitude of wives, all of which bore him children. This man had it all except for one thing. His multitude of wives never produced him a son that might be his heir.
Walking in the Council of the Ungodly
Ahikar was very sad on account of not having a son, so one day he assembled the astrologers and learned men and explained his condition. They said this to him: "Go and sacrifice to the gods and beseech them to provide you with a son."
Happy is the man who walks not in the council of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners. Psalm 1:1
Now in this regard, wise Ahikar acted very foolishly. He followed their advice and offered sacrifices to the idols. He besought them and implored them with his request. They answered him with silence. They spoke not a single word.
Of course!
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man’s hands. They have mouths, but they cannot speak; They have eyes, but they cannot see; They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell; They have hands, but they cannot feel; They have feet, but they cannot walk; They cannot make a sound with their throat. Psalms 115:4-8
The Foolishness of Idolatry
One may wonder how an idolater would posses such wisdom as Ahikar the Grand Vizier of Assyria, but this fact is known, that the Most High has granted to the sons of men wisdom even while they are in error. Will Ahikar turn away from from this evil practice? Will he, in his wisdom, forsake the flesh and call upon the Name of the Most High God?
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
Beseeching the Most High
Ahikar returned home sorrowful and dejected, departing with pain and unhappiness in his heart. He returned to his home, regretting his foolishness. He wept by his bed and cried out to the Most High with all of his heart. He implored the Most High God. He believed, beseeching Him with a burning in his heart. And this is what he said:
"Oh Most High God, Creator of the Heavens and the earth, Creator of all created things! I bessech You, that You give me a son, that I may be consoled by him, that he may be present at my death, that he may close my eyes and that he may bury me."
And a voice came to him saying:
"Since you have relied first on graven images and have offered sacrifices to them, you shall remain childless all your life long. However, you shall take the son of your sister and make him your son and teach him your learning and your wisdom and he shall bury you at your death."
With reproofs You chasten a man for iniquity; You consume as a moth what is precious to him; Surely every man is a mere breath. Hear my prayer, O YHVH, and give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner like all my fathers. Psalm 39:11-12
Nadad, Son of Ahikar
Ahikar was granted to be the father of Nadad, the son of his sister. He took Nadad while he was still nursing and handed him over to eight wet-nurses that he may be brought up in good health. Nadad ate good food and was trained with wise training. He wore silk cloths and purple and crimson, seated on couches of silk and gold.
When Nadad grew big and walked, shooting up like a tall cedar, Ahikar taught him good manners and writing and true science and inspired philosophy. Thus Nadad grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with man.
What shall become of Nadad in his wisdom? Will we learn of the wisdom that Ahikar taught his son? We'll find out in the next installment of "The book of Ahikar"
This concludes part one of the Book of Ahikar
There are many more parts to this story, this being only the first. We have more to the story and much wisdom for the reader to learn. Let's read this tale together and learn together, the wisdom which only comes from above, wisdom from the Most High.
Let us bless His Holy Name in fear and reverence.
Bless the Most High!
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Fear no one, but the one above.
Bless the Most High!