Old Testament

OLD TESTAMENT It was wisdom that I sought within those venerable old pages Yet found tales of folly, arrogance and cruelty in profusion Where were knowledge, truths, enlightenment, refined throughout the ages? What direction to a righteous life, discernment, no illusion? Say ‘tis mankind’s wilful sin that’s outlined in these tales of old Given detailed laws prescribing how to conduct men’s affairs By a wise all seeing God whom all the people then extolled Yet it seems: He had demeanour scarce more ethical than theirs He gave one selected tribe protection and a special favour Bringing them a long way round to take a land of milk and honey But neglecting one small fact that was to compromise the flavour For the folks already there, it was decidedly unfunny In the multitude of conflicts that ensued throughout the years There were some with help from God emerged the winners well delighted While they without the favour that was given to their peers Despite all their own best efforts, they would end up being smited But the one thing it was wise for you to shun before all other Was to show some interest in another god not called Jehova If you barbecued some beast for different deity e’en His brother You could wind up in deep trouble, it could be for you - all over Now some assert: mankind is product of God’s blest creation The God defined, described and named by those who answers sought Ah! But does this not suggest that here’s an inverse speculation And The god defined an artefact by men’s invention wrought So this anthropomorphic deity described in the Old Testament Could be just one more sample of man’s desperate grasping straws To negotiate a get-out from dire personal investment And to find another source to blame and flee from being the cause