Bible – Breathing Inspiration

In the beginning, My servant Job

In the beginning

he would rise early in the morning

now the earth was chaos and waste

from roaming the earth and walking on it

darkness was on the surface of the deep

but now, stretch out Your hand

Then G-d said, Let there be light

only do not extend your hand against him

Then G-d made the two great lights

so the adversary departed from the presence of the L-RD.

—– —– —– —– —– —–

over the day and over the night

a messenger came to Job

to separate the light from the darkness

the fire of G-d has fallen from heaven

and G-d saw that it was good

I alone escaped to tell you

So there was evening and there was morning

while this one was still speaking.

—– —– —– —– —–

above the land across the expanse

suddenly a mighty wind came

over the whole earth

and struck the four corners

the flying creatures of the sky,

fell to the ground and worshipped

And it happened so.

I will return there

G-d saw everything

blessed is the name of the L-RD.

dVerse prompt

note to reader: This poem alternates between phrases from the Book of Genesis, chapter 1 (in italics); and the Book of Job, chapter 1 (plain text). Hopefully, the poem appears as a seamless whole, despite some of the juxtapositions, that might seem awkward.

Renewal on the Horizon

Somewhere,

amidst the broken-down dreams

of a nation bereft of its heritage and pride,

amongst the scattered ruins of a once thriving

society of angels and men, seeking harmony,

lies the spark within, the light of renewal

that will bring home the downtrodden,

who still carry faith in their hearts,

and walk with the strides of righteousness,

alongside the saints of olden times,

who have not forgotten their G-d above,

nor their moral responsibilities below

on an earth that teeters and totters,

reels and shakes from the revolution

of an immense proportion

that spins the globe into chaos.

In the distant future,

when the angels fly overhead,

we will be lifted into the air,

only to be resettled in Paradise.

dVerse prompt

Our Brethren

“There shall no evil come to thee: nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.” – Psalm 91:10

No longer driven this way and that,

because we are given the blessing of adaptability

in times of war, when all appears lost.

And, in times of peace as well,

in our homes, and when all alone,

to remember our brethren and kin,

when we have no one to tell

our troubles to except for G-d.

The memories of ashes, everywhere,

like dust in the currents of wind,

that shift across the ages.

Yet, renewal is at hand,

across this war-torn land,

when we turn to the One above,

Who can reconcile our lives to Himself,

and absolve our sins of indifference

to both G-d and mankind.

Journey Home

We are pilgrims on this earth,

like our father, Abraham –

destined to wander, with a purpose,

only to be realized in Olam Haba.

While here,

amongst the thicket’s

tangle that ensnares the soul,

relief is at hand, before

the darkness takes its toll.

The muddied waters

will turn crystal clear,

and cloudy skies reveal the sun,

concealed behind a veil

of tears, washing gently down

from the face of G-d.

Joy, will pour forth

from the fountain of salvation,

at the heart of Israel –

as we make our way home

to the land of our forefathers,

where the Kingdom will shine

forth like 10,000 suns.

dVerse prompt

Seeking Him

Give thanks to His name,

despite everything that seems to be in disarray.

Proclaim His acts across the land,

and offer a helping hand,

to those in need.

Sing words of praise to Him,

even when things do not appear to be going well.

Play music in His honor,

and in the splendor of holiness,

worship Him.