I am Joseph

 

Reflecting upon Gen 45:3-11, 15

Haiku of forgiveness

Joseph shows himself

to his brothers. It is I!

How is my father?

His brothers don't speak,

worried that Joseph might take

his revenge on them.

Come closer to me.

I am your brother, the one

you sold as a slave.

Do not be angry

or distressed; God has used me

to preserve much life.

Two years of famine

is followed by five more; God

sent me to save you.

Go to my father,

say, Your son Joseph is made

lord of all Egypt.

Come down to Egypt,

don't delay; I will provide

ev'rything you need.

This is God's doing!

Joseph kissed all his brothers

and wept upon them.

Ken Rookes © 2025

Like trees

 

Reflecting on Jeremiah 17:5-10

Haiku of trust

Trusting in the strength

of mere mortals is futile;

need to trust in God.

They're like desert shrubs

struggling to survive each day

in parched, salty land.

Blest are those who trust

in God; they will be like trees

planted by water.

When the days of heat

come, their roots find the moisture

and their leaves stay green.

In the times of drought

the tree with deep roots survives

and keeps bearing fruit.

The heart deceives us;

We are subject to its whims

and wants. It tricks us.

The Lord tests the mind,

searches the heart, judging us

by the things we do.

Ken Rookes 2025

Who shall I send?

Reflecting on Isaiah chapter 6

Haiku for trembling

In the sixth chapter

of his book, Isaiah tells

how it all began.

A vision of God

on a throne, lofty; his hem

filling the temple.

Seraphs attending:

six wings. Covering faces,

feet; two wings flying.

Calling each other,

Holy holy holy; Earth

fills with God's glory.

The seraphs' voices

shook the temple; it is filled

with smoke and wonder.

Woe is me, I'm lost,

my lips are unclean, I dwell

among the unclean!

A seraph flew near

with a coal from the altar,

touched my mouth with it.

The Lord's voice cried out;

Who shall I send, who will go?

Here I am, send me!

Go and say to them.

Keep hearing: understanding

will not come to you.

You won't comprehend,

or turn to be healed, until

your land lies in ruin.

© Ken Rookes 2025

Only a boy

 

Only a boy

Reflecting on Jeremiah 1:4-10

Haiku for a call

Calls himself a boy,

Jeremiah; just how old?

fourteen, seventeen?

The word of the Lord

came to boy Jeremiah

to blow his young mind.

Before you were formed

in the womb I knew you; called

you to speak my word.

Seriously, God?

I don't know how I should speak!

I'm only a boy!

It's okay, said God,

Go where I send, speak my words;

fear not. I'll be there!

The Lord touched my mouth

with his hand. I put my words

in your mouth. Speak them!

I appoint you to

pluck up and pull down nations;

to build and to plant.

Samuel, David,

Jeremiah and Mary;

God's youthful brigade!

© Ken Rookes 2025

Bring us the law

Reflecting on Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Haiku of the return

When separated

through exile, ancient teachings

were lost, forgotten.

The returned people

gathered in the square: Bring

us the law, they said.

Priest Ezra unrolled

the book of the law, and read.

The people listened.

They stood up to hear,

men, women, older children;

eager to receive.

Ezra read the law,

explaining, interpreting;

people understood.

They lifted their hands,

bowed their heads, and worshipped God.

Amen! they answered.

The leaders declared

a holiday: Eat, drink, share;

the Lord is your strength!

© Ken Rookes 2025

And your land, Married.

 

Isaiah 62:1-5

Haiku of vindication

Claiming the True God

as their own, Israel feels shame

at so much failure.

The chosen people

are to be restored, after

their years of disgrace.

Their restoration

is hardly a reward, but

rather comes from grace.

God makes promises:

Zion's vindication will

be seen by nations.

A crown of beauty

and a royal diadem

in the hand of God.

Desolate no more,

nor forsaken; the nation

becomes God's delight.

Call the land “Married.”

God is joined to God's people

in deep commitment.

A bridegroom takes joy

in his bride; so God takes joy

in Zion's children.

© Ken Rookes 2025

Fear not, I am with you.

Isaiah 43:1-7 

Haiku of assurance

The Lord speaks: Don't fear,

you are redeemed. I call you

by name; you are mine.

I will be with you,

flooding waters won't harm you,

nor will the fire burn.

God's playing favourite,

saves Israel; cares little

for lesser peoples!

Precious in God's sight

is Israel. More precious

than other nations?

Ancient promises

revealing exclusive views

of the deity.

The prophet declares

the unfailing love of God

bringing people home.

Created for God's

glory: Israel. Or so

these writings affirm.

© Ken Rookes 2025

No, I don't think that this passage has anything to say to the current situation in the Middle East.

I would expect that current prophets are those condemning the vengeance, violence and the killing, on all sides, and calling for peace.

Mourning into joy

 

Haiku of promise

(Jeremiah 31:7-14)

The Lord says, Shout out!

Sing gladly, sing out loud, praise

the chief of nations.

Proclaim, praise and say:

Lord, save them; those who remain,

of Jacob's offspring.

They had been scattered,

Jacob's children; the remnant

shall now be brought home.

Rejoice, Israel,

from the earth's most distant parts

they shall return here.

They'll come with weeping

the lame, the blind, those with child,

and those in labour.

They will walk by streams

on straight paths. They'll not stumble,

I'll be their father.

Let all nations hear:

I now gather the scattered;

Jacob is redeemed.

They will be joyful

at the harvest; grain, wine, oil,

showing God's goodness.

Flock and herd prosper!

They'll be like watered gardens,

they shall not languish

Young women shall dance,

young men and old make merry;

mourning turns to joy.

© Ken Rookes 2024

The boy, Samuel

Haiku of childhood

Like sending your kids

to boarding school, Samuel

was sent to Eli.

A linen ephod,

the humble uniform worn

by boy Samuel.

Each year his mum came,

with her hand-made robe. A gift

of guilt for her son?

Hannah, Elkanah

offered sacrifice each year;

Eli would bless them.

May God repay you

with more children, for giving

your son to the Lord.

The boy Samuel

grew, finding favour with God,

and with the people.

Ken Rookes 2024

From Darkness to Light

Haiku of promise

From darkness to light;

a metaphor unequalled.

One for the ages.

The darkness of fear,

uncertainty, the wondrous

light of love and hope

Oppression will end,

the burdensome bar and yoke

will be taken away.

The warriors boots

and garments covered in blood

shall be burned in fire.

A child has been born,

a son, authority rests

upon his shoulders

He has many names:

Wonderful Counsellor, Prince

of Peace, Mighty God.

With justice and truth

he'll establish David's throne.

There'll be endless peace.

Ken Rookes 2024

Published for Christmas Day. From Isaiah chapter 9

Ken Rookes 2024

Bethlehem Ephrathah

Haiku for a birthplace

The prophet Micah

nominates the birthplace town;

it is Bethlehem!

Bethlehem might be

a small place; from her one comes

to rule Israel.

When the time is right

she will give birth; until then

much must be endured.

When he stands to rule,

his absent kindred shall come

home to Israel.

Standing in the strength

of God, he will feed his flock.

They shall live secure.

His name will be known

to the ends of all the earth;

he shall rule in peace.

© Ken Rookes 2024