Loddon Mallee UCA Presbytery Blog
Reflecting on Joshua Ch. 5
Haiku for a new land
God tells Joshua
that the disgrace of Egypt
has been put away.
They are in Gilgal,
in the land promised by God;
the new era starts.
There, Israel kept
the Passover, recalling
God's deliverance.
On the day after
they ate produce from the land;
unleavened cakes, grain.
The manna ended;
they ate the crops of Canaan
land from that time on.
© Ken Rookes 2025
Responding to Isaiah ch. 55.
Haiku of welcome
Hey, thirsty people,
here's water in abundance;
don't wait, come and drink!
No money? No probs;
come and eat, drink wine and milk,
no need for money!
You spend your money
and waste your labour on things
that can't satisfy,
Listen carefully,
eat what is good, take delight
in food that gives life.
God's offering you
a covenant that's lasting;
if you'll receive it.
It's there, before you;
seek the Lord while he is near,
turn from wicked ways.
God's invitation:
turn back, the Lord is waiting
to show his mercy.
God is not like us.
God's ways are higher than ours,
willing to pardon.
© Ken Rookes 2025
Responding to Genesis ch. 15
Haiku of promise
The great patriarch
has a vision from the Lord;
he's told, Do not fear!
The Lord assures him:
I am your shield, Abram; your
reward shall be great.
I am childless, Lord,
so a slave born in my house
is to be my heir.
God took him outside.
Look at the stars, your offspring
will match their number.
I brought you from Ur
and gave you this land! But how
will I know? asked Abe.
Bring some animals,
cut them in half, make two rows,
said God. Abe obeyed.
At dusk Abram slept.
A terrifying darkness
descended on him.
At night a smoking
fire-pot and a flaming torch
passed between the rows.
God makes covenant
with Abe: To your descendants
I'm giving this land.
© Ken Rookes 2025
Reflecting on Deut 26:1-11
Haiku of first fruits
The ancient story
of foundation: Israel
is given a land.
Show your gratitude
take all of the first fruits, make
an offering to God.
Take it to the priest,
say, I have come to this land,
as God swore to us.
Our fathers wandered,
finding themselves in Egypt;
there they became slaves.
Harshly treated, we
cried out to the Lord, the God
of our ancestors.
The Lord heard our voice,
saw our affliction, our toil,
and our oppression.
The Lord brought us out
of Egypt with a strong hand
and an outstretched arm.
God gave us this land,
flowing with milk and honey.
These gifts show our thanks.
© Ken Rookes 2025
In no way would I suggest that this ancient story has relevance to the situation od Israel and Palestine today
Reflecting on Ex. 34:29-35
Haiku of wonder
Moses descended
from Mt Sinai, having spent
time in God's presence.
Moses' hands carried
the two covenant tablets;
his face was shining.
Moses' face shone bright
from God's presence. The people
wouldn't come near him.
He called his brother,
Aaron and all the leaders;
told them what God said.
All Israel came
near. Moses declared to them
all that God told him.
When Moses finished
he put a veil on his face
to hide the shining.
© Ken Rookes 2025
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
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
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
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
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
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
