Who finds me guilty

Reflecting on Isaiah 50

Haiku of vindication

I am called to teach,

to bring words to encourage

those who are weary

.

Every morning

God wakes me, opens my ear

to teach me his way.

I listened to God,

I did not rebel or turn

away from the Lord.

Enemies struck me;

I took their blows, accepting

cruel punishment.

They tore at my beard,

I hid not my face from them;

their spitting insults.

I am not disgraced,

I have set my face like flint;

The Lord God helps me.

God vindicates me

and God is near; no one dares

to contend with me!

Who challenges me?

Bring them on! The Lord helps me;

who finds me guilty?

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

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

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.

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

Who will go for us?

Haiku for a calling.

A wondrous vision,

surprising, of God’s glory,

there, in the temple.

Isaiah sees God

high, upon God’s lofty throne,

seraphs attending.

Six wings per seraph,

two shielding face, two the feet,

and two giving flight.

The seraphs call; ‘Holy

to the Lord of hosts; the earth

fills with God’s glory!

The building shakes, filled

with incense smoke. Isaiah,

trembling, cries in fear.

Woe is me; I’m lost!

Sinfulness overwhelms me,

yet I have seen God!

A seraph flies down

with a coal from the altar,

touched it to his lips.

This has touched your lips

Your guilt is taken away,

your sin blotted out.

The Lord’s voice calls out:

Whom shall I send? He answers

Here am I; send me!

© Ken Rookes 2024

The day is coming!

Haiku for partying

Prophet Isaiah

paints his partying canvas

in bright, dancing hues.

Come to God’s mountain,

gather with your host, the Lord

of welcome and love.

A feasting from God,

an invitation for all,

no matter your tribe.

Rich food, premium

wines, plenty for ev’ryone,

marking sorrow’s end.

Death will no longer

be held in dread, God will wipe

tears from all faces.

Where God’s people failed,

where disgrace casts its shadow,

God will make things right.

This day is coming!

We have waited long; rejoice

in God’s salvation.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Hope for the oppressed

Haiku of restoration

The spirit of God

rests on me, says the prophet;

I must speak good news.

Hope for the oppressed;

God will bind up the broken,

and set captives free.

The year of favour

God will show to those who mourn;

they’ll be comforted.

They will sing and dance

with gladness, praising the Lord.

I will raise them up.

The ancient ruins

are rebuilt, generations

of damage restored.

God hates robbery,

wrong-doing. God loves justice,

reclaims his people.

A new covenant

will be made between the Lord

and the ones he loves.

So much is promised.

God declares that righteousness

 

should cover the earth.

 

 

 

© Ken Rookes 2023

Don't remain angry

 

Don’t remain angry

Haiku of realisation and repentance

You’re elusive, God,

time you made your presence felt,

made the mountains quake!

Make a big display,

cause the nations to tremble;

make them take notice.

No God except you

has ever been seen or heard

throughout the ages.

Those who wait for God

find themselves in God’s presence;

they do what is right.

We made you angry

when we sinned. We were unclean;

and you hid yourself.

Our righteous deeds, they

are nothing, they cling to us

like a filthy cloth.

We fade, like a leaf.

Cut off from you, the wind blows

us away. We die.

You are our Father,

the potter who shapes our lives;

your hand has made us.

Don’t remain angry,

Lord, or remember our sins;

we are your people.

© Ken Rookes 2023

I stood and took it

Haiku of vindication

The Lord God gave me

a teacher’s tongue, to speak words

to bless the weary.

Every morning

God wakes me, opens my ear

to learn the Lord’s ways.

I obey the Lord,

never turning back, always

looking towards God.

When they struck me, spat

upon me and pulled my beard,

I stood and took it.

The Lord is my strength,

I have set my face like flint,

I will not be shamed.

God vindicates me,

who will accuse me? Come on,

I’m ready for you!

God is my helper.

My accusers are nothing;

like moth-worn garments.

© Ken Rookes 2023

God's good fast

Haiku for our times

They are pretending,

like we do, to be righteous

while ignoring God.

They humble themselves,

(so they say!) They are fasting;

why won’t God see them?

Concerned for themselves

while exploiting their workers;

quarrels and fighting.

Your pious displays,

your fasting, sackcloth, ashes:

God isn’t impressed.

God’s good fast is this:

confront injustice and free

those who are oppressed.

You have bread; share it.

Bring the homeless to your house;

cover the naked.

You will shine with light.

You will be restored; and God

will answer your call.

Give the hungry food,

do justice; your light shall rise

and God will guide you.

You’ll be like gardens

watered by unfailing springs;

God will raise you up.

© Ken Rookes 2023