Contemplations

RIDING THE WAVES OF DISCOURAGEMENT (Ezra) The Israelites were captives in Babylon, Where God was punishing them. When Cyrus, the king, inspired by God, Let them go to Jerusalem. He returned the golden vessels, Carried off by a former king. So 50,000 returned to their homeland, Two hundred of them could sing. The foundations were laid in the second year; They were dedicated with joy. But then their adversaries, Made it their job to annoy. Their enemies offered their help while saying, They seek God and they sacrifice. But the people were wise to their lies; They knew they were not making nice. Others discouraged the workers; They said things to make them afraid. They hired counselors to work against them, As the stones were being laid. They tried to frustrate their plans; Accusations were made against them. Then they took their case to the king, And managed to deceive him. God's people waited for a new king, Then t

Jeremiah used the 22 Hebrew letters to shape the first four chapters but not the 5th chapter. It compares to using our alphabet from A-Z to express the extent of his misery. MISERY FROM A to Z (Based on Lamentations) Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, Had reason to be melancholy; He foretold Jerusalem’s demise, A result of the people’s folly. He warned and warned the people, Though to them he was an outcast. Mistreated, despised and rejected, Before the Lord he stood fast. His warnings lasted for 40 years, But now it was too late. The Babylonians conquered them; Jerusalem had met its fate. God’s remnant became rebellious, And their sins God needed to purge, So the prophet Jeremiah wrote five laments, As for a funeral dirge. He wrote of their suffering from A to Z, For themselves and their ruined city. Though they had behaved very wickedly, He still had sorrow and pity. Seventy years in captivity, For the covenant they did n