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

Out of the storm, God addressed Job:

‘Who’s that who obscures divine plans,
Through ignorant words of a man?
Gird up your loins and ready be,
To answer now, my each query! ’

I’ll prove your understanding’s dearth!
Where were you when I made the earth?
Who measured earth’s size, can you tell?
Who laid its cornerstone so well?

Who stretched the measuring line for it,
While morning stars did sing and shout,
When sunk were earth’s pedestals firm?
Who shut the sea at birth from harm?

Who clad the clouds in garment sky?
Who made the darkness in bands lie?
Who latched the bar across sea’s door,
So as to still its mighty roar?

Can you command the morning sun?
Have you shown ev’r the place for dawn
To shake the wicked off surface,
And hold the ends of earth in place?

The earth is changed by seal like clay,
And dyed like garment by a Fay;
The arm of pride is shattered right
From wicked ones, withholding light.

Do you know where the sea begins,
Or walked the depths of abyss since?
Have you been shown the gates of death,
Or gates of how darkness has birth?

Can you the earth’s breadth comprehend,
Wherein darkness dwells, apprehend?
Which is the way to light’s abode?
Or place all in their homeward mode?

Were you then born ahead of all?
Your age in years, can’t you recall?
Have you been to the snow’s store-house?
Have you been to the hail’s ware-house?

For times of stress, I have reserved;
For days of war, I have preserved;
Where do the winds part o’er the earth?
And whence the east wind has its birth?

Who lays the channel for the rain?
Who shows the thunderstorm its lane?
Who brings the rain to no-man’s land,
To desolate wilderness’ sand?

To make the desert too, verdure;
Where blossoms plants unknown, mature;
Who is the father of the rain?
Dew-drops- who has them begotten?

Out of whose womb comes frost and ice,
When stone-held captive, water lies?
Can you undo The Orion’s bonds?
Give color to the forest fronds?

Can you bring in the right seasons?
Or guide The Bear’s train with reasons?
Do you know heav’n’s ordinances
And execute them on earth’s plans?

Can your voice tear through clouds aloud?
Or stormy waters, you enshroud?
Can you send lightning on their way?
‘Here we are! ’ to you, do they say?

Who counts the clouds in His wisdom?
Who tilts sky-waters to freedom?
Who fuses earthly dust to mass?
Who feeds the lion-cubs or ass?

Who brings the prey to lioness?
Who taught it to crouch in boldness?
Who gives the cock its crowing skill?
Who gives the ravens their due fill?

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-16-2007