Part of my inheritance I did receive,
Though unworthy was I that gift to conceive;
Younger in mind, and wilful in thought,
I went to a distant land and squandered what I brought.
I wasted my Father’s gift in a wanton way;
From Grace I departed, and fell far astray.
Then, passing into spiritual insensibility,
The husks of the swine I desired to share,
Whose keeper I was—yet none would spare;
I longed to eat what they were given,
Yet no man gave me aught, though I was driven.
Thus was my soul perishing, bereft of all answer,
Having lost the dignity of sonship I bore;
Not merely as a hireling, for some wage,
But even as an unworthy slave.
How shall I return, when I have no boldness to plead?
I see how my brethren thy commandments heed;
Their obedience they keep, without blame,
While I have cast away my sonship and name.
O Father, I have sinned; I have gone astray—
Yet behold my repentance, and look on me, I pray.
Jesus speaks here of a door
that was only open to His sheep
for the shepherd leads them
Jesus said I'm the door of my sheep
This good shepherd loves His sheep
This shepherd came to give them life
the hireling cares not for the sheep
but rather let the wolf bring strife
Jesus claims He lays down his life
but has the power to take it up again
the Jews had doubts about Jesus
but Jesus spoke the truth for their gain
Jesus declared My sheep hear my voice
they follow me for I know them
for they shall never ever perish
given eternal life to all His gems
The saviour challenged the Jews
my Father works I do, why not believe?
for the Father is in me and I in Him
many believed in Him, so did Jesus receive
John 10: 1-42 (ESV)
I am the good shepherd;
the sheep are my life.
He who is hired
does not own the sheep,
Sees the wolf coming,
Thinks about running.
Avoiding danger, flees from the strife,
Leaving them helpless, runs for his life.
Snarling, the wolf rends,
devours, tears patches;
Ruthless, descending,
he scatters, he snatches.
He who is hired
cares not for the sheep
I am the good shepherd:
My sheep know my voice.
I lay down my life for them;
I do so by choice.
----------
from John 10, the chiasmus here is the contrast between the shepherd and the hired hand
Shepherd
Hireling
Wolf
Hierling
Wolf
Hierling
Shepherd
There you stand
As bold as a lion
Demanding more wages
There sits my kin
Caught in the storm
That gathers and rages
...at insolence
The very baby
I birthed from barrenness
Out into beauty and life
Given to the hireling
Wanting work
So he can parade device
...of income
Here, here's all change
I'll not give a bill
To a second-hand man
I'll take back my baby
And offer time and care
Til his legs can move to a stand
...against evil
As for my kin
Flesh of my flesh
May the fire of LOVE
Consume your latent heart
Written by Trudy Schrader on 01/13/2022
HIRELING---
Lord, I'm a hireling;
O' and I heed your calling;
God I wanna work for you;
Whatever your duties Lord you know I wanna work for you;
Whatever the job Lord I wanna work for you;
Unpaid or paid;
Cleaning toilets or being a maid;
Just short of being a slave;
I just wanna spread the Word;
Share the joy;
And tell the world that you're my Lord;
Lord, I'm just a hireling God I wanna work for you;
I just wanna spread the Word;
Share the joy;
And tell the world that you're my Lord;
Lord, I'm just a hireling God I wanna work for you;
I'll work for you for your wages;
I'll work for you for you are contagious;
And tell the world that you're my Lord;
Lord, I'm just a hireling God I wanna work for you;
When the task are done'
Lord I just want to be yours
9/17/09
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr.2009, 2019©
inspired by Job 7:1
I am in league with the roses,
Petals askew in a scarlet conspiracy
Oh I am in league with the roses,
Swaying along in this lover’s confederacy;
I’m in league with the devils,
A mob together raging alight
I’m in league with the devils,
Our very breaths fanning our damned plight;
And with the clouds I have marched abreast,
Bringing storm and heavens in tow
For amongst the clouds I have marched abreast,
Purpose seeded in the sky to grow;
I am a hire sword in league with grander designs,
Through all of which I am never prone
Yes, I am a hireling in league with foreign designs,
Happy that I am never still to stand alone.
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