The Consolation of Israel Cont
Did Adam’s fig leaf portray his work in brief;
the attempt, his sinfulness to cover:
While the “blood sacrificed skin”, atones his sins;
- covering them rightly all over?
Cain’s works of his will, “the best from his field,”
could not win him God’s favor.
While Abel’s sacrifice, a “type” of Christ’s strife,
- was to God, a sweet smelling savor?
The “provided” Ram, replacing the damned;
Abraham saw this parallel.
Did Christ, sacrifice give, for sinners to live,
- sparing them a deserved hell?
Hosea redeemed, a shameful, unfaithful thing,
paying the price that was due.
Gomer, prisoner of sin - Hosea, her freedom did win;
- is this what Christ came to do?
Joseph, you know - with the colorful clothes,
was wrongly abused by his brethren.
But, the pain he went through, though they never knew,
- resulted in their natural salvation.
Is, "When I see blood, I'll pass over you", Metaphoric too:
is this, Christ's passion being shown?
The Egyptians paid the price, with a useless sacrifice;
- they had no savior to atone.
Of the bones in the valley, lets make a short tally;
did the wind bring life - or prophesying?
They used not their will, in that lifeless field;
- it was the Spirit’s own devising.
The blood of the sacrificial Goat, - Israel's great hope,
seems (spotless) a "sign" of perfection.
The ancients shed light on a Redeemer of might,
- bestowing a sinless connection!
Does the Christian life, “typed” in Israel's Sinai strife;
show Moses to be Christ's shadow?
He led them well, made intercession when they fell,
- brought them to Canaan's bright meadow.
Could extremities in the past, of Israel be cast,
to reveal a new covenant future:
Where wisdom and light, come not by natural sight,
- but are granted by Spiritual nurture?
If Christ was a King, being predestined to reign,
over an eternal kingdom -
It couldn't be carnal, for that's not eternal,
but a Spiritual one - say some.
My confusion is great, as is all Israel's of late,
while we wonder in great exasperation.
Oh, where is our peace, when shall the warfare cease,
- oh, God where is our consolation?
Copyright © Lionel Ledbetter | Year Posted 2011
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