Meditation on Isaiah 9-10

Those following along with TGC’s Read the Bible plan read Isaiah 9-10 this week. Contemplating these remarkable chapters last year prompted me to write the following poem. It is a villanelle (think Dylan Thomas’ “Do Not Go Gentle”), which explains the refrain.

A Gospel Meditation on Isaiah 9-10
His hand upraised, his anger yet remains
To punish heart’s foul arrogance, sick pride,
Until the day his justice wrath obtains.

Brash cedars planted fresh on famished plains,
Like stone, build cheer; but winking eye’s not eyed
His hand upraised; his anger yet remains.

Beneath oppressive weight of foreign chains
She reels—snatched in devouring jaw oped wide
Until the day his justice wrath obtains.

Repentance waxes fast and false then wanes.
Could he in virtue empty shows abide?
His hand upraised, his anger yet remains.

But lo! the shoot that Jesse’s stump contains!
A light in darkness hid can’t be descried
Until the day his justice wrath obtains.

On David’s throne the King in dying reigns.
Sole hope, that cross! He’ll be not satisfied
(His hand upraised, his anger yet remains)
Until the day his justice wrath obtains.