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

Job spoke anew:

If I were like I used to be,
In days of past when God watched me,
When shining was His lamp o’er-head,
In darkness safely, I was led,

And flourishing were all those days,
And sheltered was my tent by God;
The Almighty stood by my ways,
And children stayed with my dear Lord.

My lands flowed with milk and honey;
I was wealthy with much money;
Over the rock flowed streams of oil;
God blessed me far more than my toil!

And when I neared the city-gate,
The elders rose to greet and wait;
And silent stood the top-ranked men:
My counsel to pay heed, listen.

Ev’n princes were afraid to talk,
As I began my stately walk;
And once I spoke, no queries came,
They did as though they were all tame!

In rain and sun, they heard my words,
And drank in thirst like summer-herds;
I gave my reassuring glance,
And smiled as they began to dance.

King-like, I used to then preside,
As God within me did reside;
Consoling those who needed it,
And blessing them in manner fit.

They commended my great advice;
My words came from a heart so wise;
I helped the poor and downtrodden,
The widows and every orphan.

I wore a garb of honesty-
A robe akin a majesty;
To people blind, I was their eye,
And to the lame, their foot was I.

To needy was I like father;
I learned problems of each stranger;
I broke the jaws of wicked men,
And freed from them women, children.

In my own nest, I grew up wise;
A phoenix like, I would arise;
To waters spread all of my roots,
And branches duly bore their fruits.

Such immense glory filled my land;
Strong were my arrows, bow and hand!

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-8-2007