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

Mourning into joy

 

Haiku of promise

(Jeremiah 31:7-14)

The Lord says, Shout out!

Sing gladly, sing out loud, praise

the chief of nations.

Proclaim, praise and say:

Lord, save them; those who remain,

of Jacob's offspring.

They had been scattered,

Jacob's children; the remnant

shall now be brought home.

Rejoice, Israel,

from the earth's most distant parts

they shall return here.

They'll come with weeping

the lame, the blind, those with child,

and those in labour.

They will walk by streams

on straight paths. They'll not stumble,

I'll be their father.

Let all nations hear:

I now gather the scattered;

Jacob is redeemed.

They will be joyful

at the harvest; grain, wine, oil,

showing God's goodness.

Flock and herd prosper!

They'll be like watered gardens,

they shall not languish

Young women shall dance,

young men and old make merry;

mourning turns to joy.

© Ken Rookes 2024

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

Sing, Zion's daughters

 

Haiku of hope for people who are oppressed.

Sing, Zion's daughters,

shout, rejoice, be exultant

with your whole being.

Your judgement has passed,

your enemies are scattered;

the Lord has done this.

You need fear no more,

don't grow weak or disheartened;

God is in your midst.

The Lord rejoices

over you. With gladness God

renews you in love.

Disaster is gone,

there is no reproach; I'll deal

with your oppressors.

I will save the lame,

and gather in the outcast,

removing their shame.

I will bring you home,

your fortunes will be restored,

all earth will praise you.

. . . .

When you've been shown grace,

Jesus says, you're expected

to also show grace.

No longer oppressed,

you'd hope they'd extend that same

freedom to others.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Reflecting on Zephaniah 3:14-29

Hannah's Story

 

Haiku of entreaty

Hannah was favoured

by Elkanah, but sadly,

she had no children.

Hannah wept. Husband

Elkanah spoke words of love

to reassure her.

At Shiloh, Hannah

prayed earnestly to the Lord;

See my misery!

Remember me, Lord.

Give me a child, a son; I'll

give him back to you.

Judge Eli, watching,

thought her drunk, rebuked Hannah:

Put away your wine!

Hannah protested,

Not drunk; merely pouring out

my heart before God.

Eli answered, Go

in peace; may Israel's God

grant your petition.

Back home in Ramah,

Hannah conceived, bore a son,

sang her song of praise.

I asked God for him

and the Lord has answered me.

Samuel's his name.

Hannah sang:

The barren bear fruit,

the mighty will be brought low,

and the poor raised up!

(Sound familiar?)

© 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

The bow in the clouds

Haiku of hope

God spoke to Noah

and family. This is it!

A new beginning!

I make covenant

with you, your children, and all

the creatures on earth.

I promise, Never

again shall I send a flood

to destroy the earth!

I give you a sign:

a bow in the clouds will mark

this new agreement.

When the clouds cover

the earth, the bow reminds me

of our covenant.

All creatures take note:

No more will the waters flood

to destroy all flesh!

The bow in the clouds

speaks of this covenant, made

with all creation.

God pledges to not

destroy the earth; humankind

makes no such promise!

© Ken Rookes 2024

Building a house

 

Haiku for a dwelling

David the monarch,

living in peace, thinks to build

a house for the Lord..

Nathan, the prophet,

agrees; goes home, has a dream

causing a rethink.

Nathan tells David,

since I set my poeople free,

I’ve not had a house.

Have I ever asked

Israel’s leaders to build me

a house of cedar?

You were a shepherd;

I took you from the pasture

to rule my people.

I have been with you.

Your ememies are beaten;

I’ll make your name great.

They will dwell in peace,

planted in the place that I

have appointed them.

God makes you a house!

Your kingdom lasts for ever;

your throne is secured.

© Ken Rookes 2023

Heaven's gate

Haiku of unexpected presence

Jacob’s off, leaving

 

his troubles behind; fleeing

 

north towards Haran.

 

Resting overnight,

 

with a stone for a pillow;

 

Jacob is dreaming.

 

A ladder reaches

 

from the earth to the heavens;

 

angels climb, descend.

 

God stands beside him,

 

It is I, your fathers’ God;

 

I give you this land.

 

Your offspring will be

 

like earth’s dust; through your children

 

all earth shall be blessed.

 

I will be with you,

 

keep you in my care, and bring

 

you back to this land.

 

The dream is ended.

 

Jacob speaks: The Lord is here;

 

I did not know it!

 

Awesome! says Jacob.

 

This place is the house of God,

 

the gate of heaven!

 

Setting his pillow-

 

stone up as a pillar, Jake

 

names the place, “Bethel.”

© Ken Rookes 2023

 

No laughing matter

Haiku of unexpected fecundity

There, at Mamre’s oaks

Abraham met three strangers;

he made them welcome.

Hospitality:

bread, cheeese and a barbecue;

the men were grateful.

She will have a son,

Sarah, your wife. Hearing this,

the old woman laughed.

Shall we have pleasure;

is life in these old bodies?

(The young don’t think so!)

Why did Sarah laugh?

God wants to know. There’s nothing

too tricky for God!

The thing came to pass

as the Lord had promised them:

Isaac, laughing boy.

Sarah was most pleased;

God has brought laughter to me,

laugh out loud with me!

Abraham, Sarah;

hard to believe such old folk

could become parents!

© Ken Rookes 2023

Let's go!

Haiku for leaving home

Is economic

migration such a new thing?

As ancient as hills!,

God said to Abram

leave everything behind;

come to a new land.

The promise is made

Abram will be blessed, he will

be a great nation.

He’ll be not only

blessed, but will be a blessing

to all earth’s people.

Abram left Haran,

as per instructions; nephew,

Lot, travelled with him.

Seventy-five years

and joining the grey nomads;

quite an adventure!

I’m nearly as old

as Abram when he set forth.

Much trepidation.

Ah, Patriarchy;

wives don’t count. Sarai’s response

was not recorded.

© Ken Rookes 2023