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

You are Abraham

Haiku of promise

Ninety-nine years old;

granted private audience

with the Almighty.

Walk well before me,

be blameless, Mister Abram,

I’ll bless you, God said.

Let’s make covenant:

walk well before me, I’ll make you

numerous and great.

Abram fell, humbled.

You’ll father many nations;

you’ll have a new name.

You are Abraham,

your wife will be called Sarah;

she’ll bear you a son.

I will bless you both;

nations shall rise from you. My

covenant shall stand.

Covenants have two

sides: to receive the blessings

one must act justly.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Move it, Abram!

Haiku for the settled

God said to Abram:

Leave the comfort of your home,

go to a new land.

Leave your father’s house,

bid your family good-bye;

I’ll make your name great.

I’ll bless you greatly.

For all of earths families

You’ll be a blessing.

He did as God said,

taking his wife and nephew.

Aged seventy-five!

Abram and Sarai,

gather their servants and goods,

and depart Haran.

They get to Canaan.

In Shechem, at Moreh’s oak,

there the Lord appeared

This is your country,

said God; you and your offspring.

An altar is built.

Good news for Abram;

less so for the Canaanites,

already settled.

© Ken Rookes 2023