Best Israelite Poems
When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves,
for it was not the season for figs. (Matthew 11:13b)
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you,
when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
(John 1:47-48)
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Two interesting passages, one fairly harsh lesson:
A tree without fruit reveals unbelief.
A fig tree will fruit first, before it leafs out,
so a tree that has leaves should have fruit underneath.
Fruit underlies the outward appearance;
at least that’s the way it is supposed to be.
And how true this is of the human condition:
to say we’re a thing when we’re not is deceit.
When I say what I am, and I am what I say,
then I’m like Nathanael: a man without guile.
When Jesus first saw him there under the fig tree,
He knew he’d bear fruit; about this, no denial.
Our fig leaves conceal us on Facebook and Twitter,
daring the world to see what is behind.
We're fearful our flaws will soon be discovered;
our facade and its shallowness, others will find.
And so we beguile and we weave and deceive;
naked, ashamed, we hide in those leaves,
not trusting the one who tore back the curtain,
purchased us broken, in anguish and grief.
You may not recall, but shortly thereafter,
at this deceit, Jesus levels a curse.
He returns from the temple with his disciples;
the fig tree is withered, unbelief is judged worse.
A blessing is given to those who admit need:
a dwelling place readied, with many a room.
But woe to false pretense and to the deceivers,
whitewashed and empty, alone in their tombs.
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for the This or That, Vol 11 Poetry Contest
sponsored by Edward Ibeh
on the subject of 'Fig Leaf'
written 04/02/2022
In his private parlor the king of Moab rests,
Having just retired from his more spacious quarters,
Where King Eglon had received the Israelite guests,
Bearing tribute, not a gift, but by the king’s orders.
Israel’s cries to God, about their being bereft,
Brought about the sending of a rescuer from the Lord.
Ehud, a man ambidexterous and lethal with his left,
Wore on his right thigh a cubit-length sword.
Ehud is sent by God to ease Israel’s suffering,
And is quickly added with those bearing the treasure.
He conceals his double-edged sword with a covering
And, pretending to have an errand, asks the King’s pleasure.
Eglon, a king who rules with an iron rod,
Believes Ehud’s pretense of a secret task--
A special message he says is from God—
And sees Ehud in his parlor as he asks.
Eglon the king rises from his lounging,
As Ehud announces what his visit is about.
With sword in hand, Ehud is suddenly bounding
And stabbing the king until his entrails fall out.
Ehud dashes out on the porch, locking doors in back.
He dashes by idols and monuments of stone and iron,
And flees toward Mount Ephraim, following the track,
Where timely he lifts and blows the trumpet of Zion.
A lamb without blemish blood sacrifice must be,
On the door post every Israelite the blood plan to see,
The death angel will pass on a journey through.
And when I see the blood I will pass over you.
The lord God had spoken, wasn’t nothing new
Yet as the death angels pass many first born were slew.
The Israelites obeyed not knowing the time is due
And when I see the blood I will pass over you.
The blood of sheep, or goat, no longer atone,
Jesus came on the scene and bore the cross alone.
It’s a simple act of faith, believing God’s word is true.
And when I see the blood I will pass over you.
Thank God for the blood that gives us the power,
Praise to God almighty, each minute of every hour.
If it wasn’t for the blood we would still be sad and blue,
And when I see the blood I will pass over you.
Sweat drops of blood from his body fell
A token for our sins, a redemption story to tell,
To be salt and light in this dark world below
And when I see the blood I will pass over you
Exodus 12:13
In an unkept place beyond anyone's watchful care lay vessels which carried the powerful blood of a forgotten people.
So strong and powerful, their very presence brought fear and panic to an entire race of people who believe dominance is theirs.
Underneath the 'ole' shade tree lay weather beaten slats of wood proof of a cultures existence.
A dark skinned people whose lives were valued less than that old hunting dog licking his colored masters wounds.
No names, memories, or accomplishments nothing at all except dated brittle epitaphs marking their era of life.
Dusty black Hebrew Israelite feet and cracked aged hands lay in those hallowed tombs-their names mattered to no one.
Shoeless black feet trod and stood in places I have never known and will never see yet, their strength is who I am.
Their proof of toiling in cotton fields beneath the scorching sun washing white folks cloths hanging them on the line to dry.
Same precious hands held offspring not their image that suckled the rich milk from the breast of the woman in the unkept dark place.
Let's not forget the shoulders which rocked the weight of misses churin' to sleep as if they were her own.
The unkept places off the beaten path lay the blood of the forgotten dark people.
Goliath was a giant tall and strong,
With him on your side it wasn’t too long,
Before the battle was done,
Your side had won,
It was well and truly over before it’d begun!
He will, he will rock you,
He will, he will rock you
David was a young boy small but brave,
Couldn’t fit in the armour the king had gave,
It wasn’t his thing,
So took up his sling,
Now listen to the Israelite army sing.
He will, he will rock you,
He will, he will rock you
Goliath was a stoned man, what a surprise,
That pebble had hit him right in the eyes,
Dave cut of his head,
The Giant was dead,
God was with the child just like he said!
He will, he will rock you,
He will, he will rock you
Wake up,
there'a a rebellion going on
There's a revolt,
and the conspiracy is strong
Two hundred and fifty princes
against Moses the man of God
They all got their swords aimed
against the power of Aaron's rod
The leaders of this evil insurgency
are two lovers of Egyptian idolatry
Wicked men trying to resist the truth,
but their folly will be made known to all
Reprobate concerning the faith,
brother against brother is the judgment call
Now whose side are you on,
whose's it gonna be
Do you choose Moses and Aaron,
or do you vote for Jannes and Jambres
Whose side are you on,
now that you've crossed the Red Sea
Do you wanna be free and serve God,
or worship the idols of Egypt in slavery
Brother against brother is the battle call today
Do you wanna go back to Egypt,
or remain here in the wilderness to stay
Some say they'd rather have their bellies full
and be in chains
Then to die of hunger and thirst
in a land where it doesn't rain
Some say Moses is a false prophet,
who brought them to the desert to die
Some say there's no land of milk and honey,
that's just crazy talk, pie in the sky
Now whose side are you on,
who do you choose to believe
Will you stay with Moses and Aaron,
or will you follow Jannes and Jambres
Whose side are you on,
now that you've crossed the Red Sea
Do you want to go on to Canaan land,
or do you want to go back into slavery
Speaking for myself,
'cause I don't know about you:
I'm sticking with Moses,
and I'm staying with Aaron too
We got the Rock,
with the water gushing out
We got the Manna,
every morning on the ground like dew
Then the glory of the Lord
appeared before the congregation
Ready to destroy the whole Israelite nation
But Moses said, Lord please,
please don't destroy them all
And God showed mercy, letting only the rebels fall
into the pit, where the earth had opened up her mouth
Into the bottomless pit, where there would be no climbing out
Standing before the throne of God on judgment day:
Brother, whose side were you on,
did you follow the devil and pick wrong
Were you part of the rebellion that took place,
did the dirt from the pit cover your face
Brother, whose side were you on,
on which side did you belong
Did you help defend the two holy men,
or did you die with Korah and Dathan
The man from Tarsus, in Cilicia, in modern-day Turkey
bloodline of the Hebrews and Israelites of the Tribe of Benjamin.
by racial ancestry Israelite
by citizenship Roman
by religion a follower of Judaism
born and raised among Greek culture
Educated in Jerusalem under Gamaliel
grandson of Hillel,
the founder of the most influential rabbinical school of Judaism
the president of the Sanhedrin
trained in Jewish laws and customs
an ardent student of Pharisaism and a strict follower of the Torah
Outstanding figure in the history of Christianity
converted to faith in Jesus Christ
preaching Christ in the synagogues of Damascus
introduced to the Apostles by Barnabas, the son of consolation
spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Grecians
responsible for the acceptance of the Gospel by the Grecians of Antioch
Champion and hero in the Christian faith
enormous influence on subsequent Christianity
was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”
traveling to the “Land of the Gentiles”
preached the Gospel to the Britons and others in the West.
left memory of his presence and ministry in Malta and london.
Was kept under house arrest for two years awaiting trial
inprisoned in the Mamertine prison.
suffered martyrdom
spent two years under house arrest, after which he died.
through his writing, he gave hope to everyone belonging to Christ,
dead or alive, that they would be saved.
Amen
The Wall Between Us
There stands a barrier between us.
A wall in the most literal sense.
But it's taken on another form,
The height of which stands immense.
There was a crack within it once.
As a carpenter, you patched it well.
Now on your side of the mended wall
You choose to hide away and dwell.
You spoke of desire within your heart,
And even promised your love is true.
What keeps you away and confined
Behind a prison wall built by you?
You created a rampart I will not cross,
For to breach it I fear I may stumble.
If I could I'd ask the Israelite, Joshua,
To make your wall weak and crumble.
With restraint, I will not seek a way
To open a crack in your wall once more.
If you truly love me you will discover,
Within your wall you can build a door.
We read about it in the news
Sad parents given right to choose,
Decided gift of life should go
To daughter of their ancient foe.
Not ours to say who’s right who’s wrong
In war that has been waging long.
Violence will not end the fight,
But oh, a love like this just might.
Now our own country is at war.
Our loved ones’ blood flows out once more.
Before that next heartbroken cry,
Why not give love another try?
A foe this year could be a friend,
If we could only learn to mend
Our differences with acts of love
As taught by our own Lord above.
(Written about the case of the Israelite parents whose daughter was felled by violence and they made the decision to give needed organ to Palestinian child.)
upon this black couple mountain
I sat and watched though like Jonah, bereaved
Mankind in travail like a fierce
Pregnant woman in the feeble street
THings grumbled and fall apart
Humankind deserted amidst tears and pains
"O heaven" i wailed
"Wail not, its their cause" the spirit said
"When shall this end" i asked the spirit confused
"Until the messiah comes" the spirit said again
I continued watching like the king in the days
Of Samson in the pretty house before it was damaged
Mankind were beaten like the Israelite of old in Egypt
My tears failed to come down again from my eyes
I begged him thousand times to come but it declined
My emotions became my father in the noon
" when shall mankind be free from suffering?"
I asked again but there was no answer to me.
Fertile silt spilt over its bank
Providing voluptuous life
Northward compass unusual
to intersect with Orion
Illuminated stars for wise men three
Moses basket ride, Israelite pride
Life along miles of virile poignant Nile
Omnipotent sent a proffer
Humble son gift euphonious
Trinity, accept the offer
Blest banks of Jordan, satiate
Acceptance grant by the author
Pontius Pilate governing Saviors fate
Instinct attitude, caveat debate
Imbibe in the soul space, venerate place~
word count 74
We read about it in the news. Sad parents given right to choose,
Decided gift of life should go to daughter of their ancient foe.
Not ours to say who’s right who’s wrong in war that has been waging long.
Violence will not end the fight, but oh, a love like this just might.
A foe this year could be a friend, if we could only learn to mend
Our differences with acts of love as taught by our own Lord above.
(Written about the case of the Israelite parents whose daughter was felled by violence and they made the decision to give needed organ to Palestinian child.)
She has been a delight
since she first joined this website.
She performs an altruistic rite
both day and night,
sharing her insight.
Pious as an Israelite
ascending Mt. Sinai’s height.
She has ability to distinguish wrong from right.
Lactiferous with human kindness in a metaphorical light.
A moral beacon during a starless immoral night.
Always being polite.
An exemplary socialite.
Never requiring being contrite.
Displaying formidability despite
A genteel cortical initial sight.
Standing upright.
Possessing intrinsic might.
Speaking with eloquence forthright.
Containing innate perspicuous foresight.
She has a voracious appetite
for all knowledge in sight.
In addition, with encompassing insight,
she includes inscribed descriptive might
that can put up a fight
without any fright.
She may write
with words subtly lithe and light,
in quantitative measure appearing right.
About birds in flight,
soaring to great height.
Or sunshine exceedingly bright.
Sometimes a softly moonlit night.
Occasionally of gems of malachite
glowing like green moonlight.
Perhaps rubies luminescent with fiery light;
polished to a radiance shown in a volcanic eruption sight.
She is an experienced poet write;
a legitimate constituent outright
on this poetic workshop website.
She is not a literary neophyte.
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
PRAISE ELISHA'S GOD IN HEAVEN!
"Go dip in the Jordon", he said;
The prophet who must surely be mislead,
But after travelling to Israel,
I will test this cure though it fail.
ONE
I dipped myself in that dirty trickle
Laughing to think God's favour so fickle,
As to above the rivers of Assyria choose
This little wilderness ooze.
TWO
I went in for my second dip,
with a curl of scorn upon my lip:
"Told you this Jordon trick was no good,"
Teach me to believe an Israelite this would!
THREE
As for the third time I dived under,
I had a tiny hope it would work a wonder;
If this was going to bring me some ease,
I should have seen lessening of the disease.
FOUR
As up from my fourth dip I came,
Looking, feeling and smelling the same:
I threw myself down upon the bank,
For my heart was turning rank.
FIVE
Five washes and I began to ponder Elisha's word.
Why set the Captain of Assyria a mime so absurd?
Didn't he know I could drag him off with jailers,
Sentenced for impudence and sorcery failures?
SIX
If I could feel the cold I would shiver,
Six times I have dipped myself in this river,
Across my form the illness still loomed,
To be a leper, it seemed I was doomed.
SEVEN
I am cold and my head is all aspin,
Now the water tingles against my skin;
If I didn't know any better,
I would say I was no longer a leper!
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
PRAISE ELISHA'S GOD IN HEAVEN!
I was an ignorant fool,
To despise this little pool;
Now in loud song,
I acknowledge I was wrong!
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
PRAISE ELISHA'S GOD IN HEAVEN
Cecelia Hopkins
Why is my identity a secret
What language did my fore fathers speak
Before the time of Babylon
Who was I
I believe I was classified a slave
Scholars of this earth you rob me
Denied me of my birth
Truth concealed lies told
Sold to the highest bidder
Just to fill your pockets with gold
Scholars I ask
Why is my identity still top secret
These lies seem to have worth
Four hundred years of slavery
Truth erased images,artifacts hidden and buried
Scholars of this earth
Why not let the truth be told
Who am I
They say, I am a *****
I am not the son or daughter of Ham
I think thats great
I am an Israelite
A true *****.