Out of the whirlwind

Haiku of continued questions

At last God responds!

Hides God-self in a whirlwind;

very dramatic.

Questions, not answers.

God’s grandeur seems to excuse

him from answering

God holds all the cards,

suggests that Job is unwise

to ask such questions.

Make yourself ready

Job, almighty God’s about

to ask you questions.

God asks: Where were you

when I laid the foundations

of the earth? Tell me!

Who measured the earth

making sure all was in line?

Surely you know this?

Did you hear the stars

singing for joy when the world’s

cornerstone was laid?

We are impressed, God.

Hardly a fair contest, though;

you being divine!

Ken Rookes 2024

Out of the whirlwind

Haiku of the gobsmacked

I am in the dark.

What is the charge against me?

Paint it on my face!

Out of the whirlwind

the voice of the almighty:

Let’s see what you know!

God comes the heavy:

Answer me, if you are game.

My turn to question!

When earth’s foundations

were laid, and its measurements

set out; were you there?

When I gave each star

its place in heaven’s choir

where were you hiding?

Who set the limits

to the oceans as they swelled?

(Do that again, God!)

Those deserted lands

where none pray for rain to fall;

still I water them.

Who gives birth to dew,

rain and sleet; and winter frost

to freeze lakes solid?

After much complaint,

Job, standing before the Lord,

has nothing to say.

© Ken Rookes 2020

Posted in response to the Narrative Lectionary readings from Job for the fourth Sunday after Pentecost