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

Take your oil and anoint him

Haiku of choosing

Saul was rejected.

God told Samuel, the Judge,

to choose a new king.

Fill your horn with oil,

go to the house of Jesse;

it’s at Bethlehem.

One of Jesse’s sons

is destined to be made king.

I have chosen him.

If Saul hears of it

I’m dead meat! Take a heifer;

make a sacrifice.

The elders come out

from Bethlehem. They’re trembling.

Have you come in peace?

I make sacrifice

to God. Come, join me. You too,

Jesse; and your sons.

The first, Eliab,

came before him. Surely he

is God’s anointed!

But no; for God looks

not upon a man’s stature,

but upon his heart.

In all, seven sons

are brought before Samuel.

Is there another?

The youngest, David,

is with the sheep. Send for him,

we’ll wait ‘til he comes.

The lad was ruddy.

Take your oil and anoint him;

he’s the one, says God.

© Ken Rookes 2023 

The Lord had a plan

 

Haiku of the chosen

Before I was born

the Lord had a plan for me.

A disturbing thought.

In my mother’s womb

he gave me my name. I would

be his instrument.

I laboured in vain,

my words went unheard. I trust

God to console me.

I have been chosen

to call God’s scattered people,

Jacob, back to him

God becomes my strength.

A new task; not just Jacob,

but all the nations.

You will be a light;

God says, that my salvation

might reach all the earth.

Despised and abhorred,

God’s messenger will be heard.

All will come to God.

The Lord is faithful;

God’s chosen one will stand proud,

as the nations come.

© Ken Rookes 2023