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

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

Home town boy

Haiku for breaking out

Home town Nazareth,

the place where he went to school,

where they watched him grow.

Being the Sabbath

he entered the synagogue

and began to teach.

They were astounded.

Where did this man get all this;

where’s this wisdom from?

He’s the carpenter,

we know his mum and siblings!

And they took offence.

Prophets find honour

everywhere but at home.

He left with sadness.

So he departed,

on to other villages,

teaching God’s good news.

He sends out the twelve,

gives them his authority

for the task at hand.

You won’t need money,

just take a staff, no extras;

sandals are okay.

Enter their houses,

accept hospitality.

Don’t look for better.

So they went on out

called the people to repent;

doing Jesus’ work.

© Ken Rookes 2018

Go, therefore.

Haiku for those who are sent

Eleven of them

went to Galilee, as told.

Where were the women?

There, on the mountain

they met and worshipped Jesus;

but some were doubting.

All authority

has been entrusted to me:

gather disciples.

Make them mine; baptise

in the name of the Father,

the Son and Spirit.

Teach them to obey

all that I have commanded.

This is true worship.

Remember, my friends,

I will always be with you

to the age's end.

© Ken Rookes 2017