Bible Stories: Job (Chapter Xvii) Poem by Dr John Celes

Job Speaks On:

So broken is my spirit, Lord!
My lamp of life looks extinguished;
Their provocations mount high, God;
My eyes grow dim as I feel mocked;
My burial seems imminent!

Their minds to knowledge are darkened;
They cannot understand therefore.
Evil’s my lot, as they described;
My name to people is by-word;
I am their object of lesson.

Who will stand surety for me?
Grant me one who will pledge for me;
My eyes are blind with anguish, Lord;
My frame is just a shadow, God.

All upright men are astonished;
Yet, righteous hold on to his way;
Clean-handed ones improve in strength;
I find no wise man amidst you.

My earthly days are almost gone;
My plans seem finally all torn;
Such men can change to day, the night;
In darkness, they talk of bright light.

If my dwelling be nether world,
My couch in darkness is enshroud;
If ‘corruption’ be my father,
And maggots- my sister, mother!

About my hope, who does bother?
Where’s prosperity, my brother?
Will they come with me to nether?
To dust shall we go together?

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-1-2007