You ain't seen nothing!

Reflecting on Isaiah 43

Haiku of anticipation

The Lord reminds them

of the great and mighty deeds

leading to freedom.

The path through the sea,

the army, the chariots

stranded in the mud.

You ain't seen nothing,

says God; I'm doing something

new. Watch out for it!

In the wilderness

I'm making a way, rivers

flow in the desert.

Wild creatures will sing

my praises; the ostriches

and jackals will drink!

My chosen people

will drink, the people I formed

will declare my praise

© Ken Rookes 2025

From that time on

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

God's abundance

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

Abram

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

Gratitude

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