Prisoner's Chant

                                              Prisoner's chant

My angelic looking host as the wheels in the sky turn on their axis,

you cast a net of hope,

I will always be a prisoner under the bluest sky, and innocent smile no man ever broke,

your presences I felt behind the walls of jungles and savage dungeon, a wise-man silence never spoke.

Your foot-step's I counted with every stroke, heavy heart, restless, nevertheless a smile no man ever broke.

In my contemptible state angels guarded my safe keeping, until a bright light cracks open the chasm...a seeker in twist and turns finally, inquisitive yearns.

The Kabuki drama of long ago...once again unfolds casting the net of hope, who is worthy in my madness ? But a celestial host, subjects under cover, bluest sky, smiles rapture the air innocence's oblivion host.

Foot-step's in the darkness Kabuki dancer's, permeate the stage they once performance laud, bow...applause.

A prisoner's chant awakens celestial bodies; needful dancer's in a world of shadow's and voices create magical muse. Silence rule, commotions stir! Environmental challenges in a colorful galactic spectrum...vibrations, frequencies, the physical, the spiritual phenomenon...the unlearned, the unseen...make available their useful and timely presences.

Who is worthy in my madness ? Invited guest, trivial matters, parade of marcher's...seeker's heavy heart, the unaware !

From the audience unto the stage; from the stage unto the audience, an eye-witness of a crime scene, a conspiracy once to often seeking heavy hearts, mourner's delight, stranger among strange....a prisoner chant !

(C)

Raphael G

1/7th/16

MoonLight

Moonlight strangeness

I'm strange and stranger than none...I feel uninvited in the world in which I tread, yet all are invited to seek my strangeness,

when ever this moonlight is absent I cannot inspire even the night becomes too silent and creation is in the same low spirit,

But when it’s full or not being obscured this light is the gift that compliments such a vast array of phenomenal physics that I could not embrace,

Sometimes it is only half full and my anticipation grows and grows, like that of a mighty river raging for her to fully mature,

The flower beds rejoice at her sight as they have early blossoming from her blessed mist, and in the morning feel refreshed and invigorated,

The prairies, mountain tops, hills, valleys, the oceans, the young calf, the prancing colt, the wing creatures, that nest happily in their resting place,

The gentle fresh air, that makes the open night such pleasant a moonlight, She is the light that shines and shines causing so much commotion, yet innocent partaker in all her actions.

Moonlight the kaleidoscope of extraordinary events, keeps her radiant and focus,

The ever burning spotlight that pierce my soul, nothing like her in splendor, nothing like her in absence.

When I step into the night from my cradle there is this bright light a celestial body that never seems to leave me, It follows everywhere I tread illuminating my pathway, and when it’s full it resembles a lamp someone set up with purpose,

The creatures of the night howl, cry, and sing...their interpretations are all unique, this goes on throughout this nocturnal cycle of intrigue and charm just to repeat once again,

The flying visitors die trying to reach her magnificent splendor, and that is the beauty of it all, the Grand builder had it all well within reach for us to write and respect, fall to our knees and praise….and praise.

(C) Right Protected 2007 

By: Raphael G

Dream Weaver

 

Dream weaver

Like a voyage of long ago,

A time long awaited, where the inspiration rejuvenates an inspirator of dreams,

there aren't rehearsed dreams better than agitated currents,

nothing prepares an inspirator for events so impacting like these...only that emotions and innate feelings incorporate to weave complex feelings that exhaust the soul already in surrender.

Again I find myself embracing for the shock of my life...like it was yesterday.

I reason like a innocent young lad in my search for truth, harmony, feelings, principles, and virtues...Oh Lord save me' help me' give strength...understanding in this world of dreams that never seem to seize pouring my way...I'm not dignified of the leveled thinking.

If poetry is letters of second hand, why do I find myself hindered in what is revealed before me? If poetry is letters of second hand' why do I summons a supreme being? Like this was a debate between me and the creator! My reinforcement is to continue revealing the fundamental things of the heart and pursue the current correctness in guiding the senses.

Never doubt what I write...from the most profound things of the heart inspired reasoning ushers forth what the dream weaver feels in his inspired search.

There can be no falsehood in revealing...more likely it is the initial stage to convocate dialogue, where there is invocation souls come together like poetry and the letters to promote communication in the field of thinking. Poetry and its power for sure have gained its rewarding crown for time to come.

She weaves my broken dreams,

she's soft like the morning mist,

she has these beautiful blues...one is the vast oceans...the other a bright sky in a touching spring break,

she's a master work of whom the thinkers of modern and ancient times debate if she is true or not,

she's an electrifying maiden, no need for dynamic energy to assemble my thoughts,

She would be a great lament if lost and the Divine beings would lament her for an eternity.

What would become of me if she was bones of my bones and fresh of my fresh? I care for her like the hen care for their kind.

I would be enchanted with her like a toddler and toy of interest,

she would be my toy in my eternal toddling.

What can a poor gentile man do for a maiden such touching? If life is all I possess ...than my sacrifice is not in vain!

She's hope for a fallen people and they anticipate in her revealing treasures, O' grandiose king of eternity woe' to me if this was letter of second hand, you are my guide...My fort and my call...you my Judge' that the reality is the sacred expression.

O' my Lord equip me for the outstanding of this dream, you well know my tragedy...I'm innocent in this dream that I can't construct, prepare my path according to the events of worth and surprises in which I must embrace, I ask no more...otherwise that the sacred expression returns fortified in a world of abnegation and absences.

© right protected

By: Raphael G

 06/15-23/07

Amish Shack

                                        The Amish Shack

They the raving blues that never seem too tire out always on a move like Nomadic caravans from the slightest sound or encompassing position, like a satellite hovering and dancing from above it intrigues and fascinate the observer. The piercing blues that cause so much commotion and excitement in my soul, sending it into bliss of mind bending thoughts. Like a foundries heat that consumes my inquisitive yearnings that contest debate, promoting sanity in an ever winding circular motion of complex undertaking.

Like a dungeon they imprison me as they go about its taxing ways, innocently partaker of the observer; oblivion host. In a world of sadness blue is not so blue after all, the oceans, the vaulted sky, the covenant arc, blue is eternal as promise from above. Two blue pearls in its sockets that reveal enigmas and provide a multitude of reasoning.

Enlighten me, charm me, lead my soul captive in want. I make oath with almighty Yahweh, to never remove me from your sight, keeping me writing and sleepless day and night. Drain my energy, my life’s resources! I feel the sense and meaning of true giving around you. Let heavens be weighted down on our behalf and its host rejoice one more time. If it’s a sin to let go from the abundance of the heart, than I boast as one of them all. I chase the heart as a child would after the passing of a butterfly, as it explores the new world of curiosities laughing and smiling with-out contempt lighting up the biggest fires racing out of control in a givers want.

The poet in quest to decipher meaning and revelations, the ultimate opportunity to engage in a ritual so ancient and yet all embracing. Like an outcast in all his approach, like mission all too impossible… he makes good medicine of what is placed before him. A road tread once too often he walks away with his head bow ever vigilant of what’s next in his quest to reveal.

The enigmatic blues and beautiful of them all, the one subject unique of them all. The shack I frequent to quell my thirst and hunger, the honoree of my life esteems tossed oblivion host. The inspirations never seem to vanish yet I have matured riddled; only if I could remain youthful forever to chase the uncatchable, to race against the wind one more time, to exhaust not like a wolverine relentless in his search, his pursuit. Oh almighty God be the blue eyes in the world in which I seek encouragement, and we shall write many good words together.

I write for you Oh mighty one at all times, when I contemplate beauty of all sort not far away I’m writing about your infinite designs, the everlasting perfect bond of love… imprinted in us humans. She is beautiful like Eden’ indeed and many jubilating souls praise her for the woman she has become. A thousand spring seasons may linger in paradise, but as for me you will be my favorite under God Almighty's watchful eyes; as I serene you and him with expressions of endearment.

I have made you my daily prayer and in these last days I’m not sure about my call, but certainly I have faith that in paradise God almighty; will afford me an link pen where my thoughts race once again after you. Just too unsettled my soul their twins, who is worthy? Of this inspiration only those beautiful blues can tell. Admirable and skilled parents worthy of tribute and off-springs that shower like a cascading powerful crag of waterfalls keep pushing my threshold… I seek an audience with you once again because my spirit is always at lost.

10/2010/01/2011 By: Raphael G

(C) Right protected

Martyr/Party Of YHWH

                  or Lance Collins

All one needs to know about Johnny Todd

 The English word “martyr” is derived from the Greek term mar′tys, meaning “witness”—that is, one who observes a deed or event. But the Greek word means more than that. The Biblical mar′tys is also “active,” states one Greek lexicon, “called upon to tell what he has seen and heard, to proclaim what he knows.” All true Christians, and all faith of good will, have the obligation to bear witness to what they know about Jehovah/God Almighty (YHWH) and his purposes. (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8) The Scriptures call Stephen a “witness” for speaking about Jesus.—Acts 22:20,

 Christian witnessing often means facing opposition, arrest, beatings, and even death. Thus, from as early as the second century C.E., “martyr” also came to signify one who suffers such consequences rather than renounce his faith. It is in this sense that Stephen may be called the first Christian martyr. Originally, though, a person was considered a “martyr” because he witnessed, not because he died. Well either way is acceptable and the later of much more weightier  matter since the giver and taker has full authority over the subject.

“At hearing these things they felt cut to their hearts and began to gnash their teeth at him.”—Acts 7:54  Yes the powers to be would prefer one remains silent and not expand on the erosive and corruptible work undermining our human existence. They prefer one not learn and come to a full knowledge or contemptible breaching of the hidden hand. A diligent researcher can be counter-productive and balance to the ever menacing architect "of the great question?" pertaining to the Universal challenge, imposed by hot seat dictators or counterfeiters that have been at work from long ago.

Monument to Witness Holocaust Survivor Unveiled in Germany

 Museum and monument open to the public.
 

Gamaliel, “a Law teacher esteemed by all the people, made his case....

  “Do not meddle with these men, but let them alone; (because.. if this scheme or this work is from men, it will be overthrown; but if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them;) otherwise, you may perhaps be found fighters actually against God.” (Acts 5:38, 39)

Remember these words in acts they serve as a witness that the Almighty is at work, and certainly backing all believers in the struggles. Undaunted, they continued “every day in the temple and from house to house” the work of “declaring the good news about the Christ.”* (Acts 5:42) The demons also shake and tremble at the sight of Godly people and before they arrive they take to flee, closing doors... shouting and indiscriminately feeling a sense of withdraw.(James 2:19 "You believe that there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder." 

The arch enemy is well aware of the power of Jesus Christ...
“Did you come to destroy us?” (Mark 1:24)they are our enemies, so make it your own too shun them from every wrong activity it may try lead one into. There are also many accounts when they acknowledge the Messiah, identifying him before on-looker's. What was the response...(Mark 5:7...10) " 7 Then he cried out with a loud voice: “What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I put you under oath by God not to torment me.” 8 For Jesus had been saying to it: “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.” 9 But Jesus asked him: “What is your name?” And he replied: “My name is Legion, because there are many of us.” 10 And he kept pleading with Jesus not to send the spirits out of the country...

Luke 8:31

31 And they kept pleading with him not to order them to go away into the abyss. 

                                                                 John Huss

An Italian clergyman pronounced the sentence of condemnation for Huss. Even at that time, he said that he would only be convinced once he has been given proof from Holy Scriptures. As a result, he was enrobed in priestly vestments and asked to recant. Still, he refused. At this, all his ornaments were taken and his priestly tonsure was destroyed. Huss was deprived of all rights and was delivered to the secular powers. A high paper hat, with the word 'Haeresiarcha' inscribed on it, was placed on his head and he was taken away by armed men.

At the execution ground, Huss spread his hands and prayed aloud. After undressing him, the executioners tied his hands behind his back with ropes. His neck was tied, with a chain, to a stake around which wood and straw had been piled up, in such a way that it covered him up to the neck. Count Palatine asked Huss for the last time whether he wanted to recant and save his life or die. Huss preferred to die and was thus, burnt to death.

                                                     John Huss Documentary
 
So with this comforting news and witnessing work we take heed to remain ever vigilant, light bearer's until the final call. There is a large list of people of faith whom gave their life, so that other could live. Martyr's of first and second century down to our present day, awaiting trials in prison in communist countries and repressive dictator’s.

 

"Let it not make thee despair, neither yet discourage thee, O reader, that it is forbidden thee in pain of life and goods, or that it is made breaking of the king's peace, or treason unto his highness, to read the Word of thy soul's health—for if God be on our side, what matter maketh it who be against us, be they bishops, cardinals, popes."

William Tyndale could speak seven languages and was proficient in ancient Hebrew and Greek. He was a priest whose intellectual gifts and disciplined life could have taken him a long way in the church—had he not had one compulsion: to teach English men and women the good news of justification by faith.

Tyndale had discovered this doctrine when he read Erasmus's Greek edition of the New Testament. What better way to share this message with his countrymen than to put an English version of the New Testament into their hands? This, in fact, became Tyndale's life passion, aptly summed up in the words of his mentor, Erasmus: "Christ desires his mysteries to be published abroad as widely as possible. I would that [the Gospels and the epistles of Paul] were translated into all languages, of all Christian people, and that they might be read and known."

Also many reforms carried their works in the likes of John Wycliff, thou there was already revisionist as early as the 1200's in France and Spain...a group of scholars and followers known as the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lollards they sworn to continue were he left off.

God's outlaw/documentary

I don't infringe on any copy right or intellectual property...on the same basis I expect the same, but the question never occurs to me. I to cut and paste...and can't call it my own. labored property would be usurping if a taken without consent. So rest free I have no interest in personal gains only that which is by inheritance.

Admirer's reproach

                                                     

                                                                                                    
                                                                           Admirer’s Reproach

Why did you leave the window open?
 

Were you expecting a stranger in the night?
 

Every day I sit by the front door way, you past by like I wasn't there;
 

Yet your fragrances are fresh like morning dew I know better.
 

Your never lonely in your house angels guard your safe keeping.
 

Go ahead ask me where I have been? I tell you things just keep happening,
 

I must speak of what I have abandon, the vaulted sky the earth below, shadows tossed, and the land of broken dreams.

If I could find comfort for just a while it would be in the corner stairways;
 

Leading to my admirer’s reproach! Like autumn’s foliage that chariots to their winter bed,
 

Where is my resting place for today? Like dust driven away my soul finds no refuge…I have become tired, exhausted in my quest to reveal the sacred spiral, who is worthy in my madness?
 

Lead me captive in the sorrows of my beloved strange host where the sun rises from the Far East touching my deeps wounds. 

The many whom my strangeness admired, but stranger than none; here to abide with it in my strange loved. I lay me down until my next resurrection in the near coming spring the day of my birth many years ago when my father woven me in the secret place, not troubling where I sweetly slept.”

BY: Raphael G

(C) Right

New Jerusalem

New Jerusalem

O’ New Jerusalem, land of the brave and spirited warriors,

O’ New Jerusalem, land of majestic mountains and sweet waters,

Yes you O’ Zion, the coveted work of art whose tormentor is blinded by your beauty and

Magnificence. (Evil doers know not)
The meadows have dressed you with the foliage that wing creatures can only dream of, in your battlefield hope is heard from its foreign visitors, they cry out in jubilee, sing well orchestrated chorus, their tunes are enchantment to the ears of the natives.

Creation spoke in riddles when you came forth, the almighty God stretched his right hand in blessings; you were the master’s achievements, He labored in pain with your up bringing,

O’ Zion, your spirit can not be broken and the enemies in the battlefield shake in fear because there is warmth in the fluid that sustains life. There is love and unity in what remains, that to be adequate because abundance is not necessary the advantage.

O’ Zion, the world see little of you and tongues and mad people of the world have distorted views of a land, which is creation, humans like all other and in many ways more prone to reason than all others,

The promise land is in your midst, paradise belongs to he who struggles for the good cause of its people, O’ Zion, I will see you in paradise or die trying.

Paradise does not belong to the faithless, who stoned the prophets, whose blessings God revoked,

O’ Zion, hold strong and roll well because blessings are sure in God almighty.

O’ Zion, land of the spiritual warriors of the mountains how many men wish to serve you! and how many have missed! Yet the struggle continues and I see the faces of many who took the call, their faces smiling with graceful humbleness, their memories like a mighty wave that gets stronger as it picks up time.

O’ Zion, motherland that shelters its off springs in the bosom of caves, peaks, valleys and evergreens, from the oppressor and destroyer…..awake...awake and consume them in your wrath and fire.
 

O’ Zion, if only God had error (in choosing a new people and He did not!) why did He not look any further in the pains of labour, the land of Faithful warriors? (Moreover He, has)…God almighty bless the fields of the new covenant and the Great Spirit be the driving force in all its actions. The mountain can move, the waters can divided, the underground can call it’s spoils, the days can darken and nights illuminate like the brightest stars, but Zion will stand and remain as God's almighty spirit visitant the everlasting faith based stronghold.

© Right protected

Raphael G  4/6/07

Melodies

MELODIES OF THE NOBLE LADY,

TO A FORGOTTEN GENTLEMAN

Like crystal clear sparkling trickles of water,

her fingers would dash, into the keys of the piano

creating haunting melodies that cascade into my path.

As she took her stand, and began staring at the audience

they laud her in silence. Those mourning over there sick ones came to life, for so glorious was her music, anything

wither would blossom.  I marvel as she closed her eyes, I

picture her mapping the earth, with her wonderful thoughts.

As she relaxed herself, I embraced myself for my emotion

were too great to reveal.  I embraced myself for the slightest mistake would endanger my intentions.

She's a light of hope, for all low in spirit.

She's like a fallen star among mankind who can't do without

her, and everything she touched she gave significance.

Her ways demanded great attention, and every little thing

about her became a proverb.

As she sat down and arrange herself, her feet made the sounds of marching armies returning from a favored battle.  Echoes, thunders, lightning, overshadowed the atmosphere which I eagerly awaited.  The instrument which she played, was viewed has having a personality for they were both so well balanced.  So enlighten became the room, everyone had to veil themselves, for she looked so heavenly.  Her eyes were like dungeons that would imprison anyone who stared at them.

She's an inspiration of thoughts,

She's an everlasting source of joyous memories,

She's a pool of refreshments,

Her youth had the direction of able parents.  Signals her ways have become for this generation,

Her laughter carried tunes of innocent doves, and her

cries well rooted feeling.

Her world enchants me to the highest degree.

Her resources are an endless spring of rejuvenation,

She's a fountain of youth, and as I partook all erosiveness

relegated.  As she stood to conclude her works, she was well

rewarded.

I felt so near, but yet so far away from her, so happy but

yet sad, for I prize all nobles, but no one prize me.  Many roads await you, destiny can be chosen.

Sept.92

Performance By : Valentina Lisitsa
I take no credit, or gains by sharing a fair clause for use of material.

© Right By: Raphael G

Lament

    Lament for departed doll

Here once again I sit surrounded by creation. By a small stream of water that tell tales about my life's esteems that once were so plentiful and massive trees that reveal history. By musical bird’s that play haunting melodies, expressing their version of happiness. By laborious creatures that don't give up trying and a restless sunlight beaming on the leaves of where I shade.

Here I sit in the middle of nowhere all directions I look there's a road or a passageway someone once took, my heart desires to help but, who knows how far they stumble forth?

As I patiently sit observing my surroundings I saw a cat decorated in flashing colors distracted and even took no notice of me determine by her pains and a belly full of unborn kittens, she flagged by anxious about her where abouts.

Here in the middle of nowhere one comes to meditate and initiate contact with his creator. As I sat patiently a few cautious passers bye's managed to stroll along their path and I wandered!

I long to know and press ever forward too that extra mile to find a road or a path that can lead me to you. For every breath of air fills me with wonderful thoughts about you. Here I send you things a heart can do.

Everything in life is temporarily but the memories of you are everlasting. Your innocent smile brings joy to all low in spirit. Present yourself to me in ways unknown and I, will judge you righteous, for your ways are wonderful, beautiful, and charming. I'm the one who knows and will not give in trying to interpret them. For your ways, are signals to those who follow.

I have found my way towards you, with the little courage that resides me, and the valor I can summons from above. Truly I'm like a young lad in search of understanding, Like the birth of a new star awaiting acceptance, awaiting placing, seeking instruction, finding little hope, stumbling to reach hearts, and yet I weep, I joy, I endure, with many thanks for my very existence is a privilege.

Renew your friendship with me, just as the season compliments one another. Point my way out to the light again, lead my soul out of captivity, be the one to save me and I will be in debt to you forever. Compassion, mercy, reason, and love had a debate at the end they all gave way and rejoiced.

                               

(5/2-10/12-94)               BY: Raphael G

© right

Life's Struggle's

.

If life is a Struggle

If life is a struggle, what does death offers in the long run?

Why do we grief over our short comings?

In high places sits the arrogant, time makes the calls and he is of little means!

Time is a thief it robs us of our youth, it makes us gray and savvy, only to reverse as we become children again in our unstable state.

If only we could remain children’s forever can we challenge time?

Time produces; time reduces, and time the crook that steals values as it never burns out. When one wonders time laughs, when one is hurting time laughs, when one is lonely time laughs, time follows no command it is space to be filled, infinite like the thief’s treachery, ever present to observe and molest our slightest moments, like a 

motionless predator it works its web, and consumes, destroys.

The time capsule that never runs out, the subjects trapped in its belly with little hope, time the unscrupulous vigilant, the giver and taker of life.

Time drags when it is having greater moments, the time is and the time will come for all under its sight to time no more!

If not for the cosmos, and the seasons we would be like the dust tossed in the wind, miniature particles of matter that resemble time itself in so many ways.

The Great Spirit is great, find him and make him your allied. Bow to the mysteries and secrets that simple minds charge at, because understanding is not its helper.

The balance of nature is becoming undone, who can reverse it? Oh mother earth that sustains life for a little while, you that shelters the offspring’s of creation in the bosom of paradise, she calls for the souls to fertilize her grounds, she cries out with open mouth and a belly that’s never satisfied.

(C) write protected

Raphael G

Spring of 2010

Faith

Through faith we patiently await the promise, and hold

Steadfast fully confident the perfect time keeper has our

Interest at large.

Hebrews Chapter 11 Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld. ² For by means of this the men of old times had witness borne to them.

³ By faith we perceive that the systems of things were put in order by God’s word, so that what is beheld has come to be out of things that do not appear.

⁴ By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice of greater worth than Cain, through which [faith] he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness respecting his gifts; and through it he, although he died, yet speaks.

⁵ By faith E′noch was transferred so as not to see death, and he was nowhere to be found because God had transferred him; for before his transference he had the witness that he had pleased God well. ⁶ Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please [him] well, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.

⁷ By faith Noah, after being given divine warning of things not yet beheld, showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household; and through this [faith] he condemned the world, and he became an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith.

⁸ By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed in going out into a place he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, although not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he resided as an alien in the land of the promise as in a foreign land, and dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the very same promise. ¹⁰ For he was awaiting the city having real foundations, the builder and maker of which [city] is God.

¹¹ By faith also Sarah herself received power to conceive seed, even when she was past the age limit, since she esteemed him faithful who had promised. ¹² Hence also from one [man], and him as good as dead, there were born [children] just as the stars of heaven for multitude and as the sands that are by the seaside, innumerable.

¹³ In faith all these died, although they did not get the [fulfillment of the] promises, but they saw them afar off and welcomed them and publicly declared that they were strangers and temporary residents in the land. ¹⁴ For those who say such things give evidence that they are earnestly seeking a place of their own. ¹⁵ And yet, if they had indeed kept remembering that [place] from which they had gone forth, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But now they are reaching out for a better [place], that is, one belonging to heaven. Hence God is not ashamed of them, to be called upon as their God, for he has made a city ready for them.

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, as good as offered up Isaac, and the man that had gladly received the promises attempted to offer up [his] only-begotten [son], ¹⁸ although it had been said to him: “What will be called ‘your seed’ will be through Isaac.” ¹⁹ But he reckoned that God was able to raise him up even from the dead; and from there he did receive him also in an illustrative way.

²⁰ By faith also Isaac blessed Jacob and E′sau concerning things to come.

²¹ By faith Jacob, when about to die, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped leaning upon the top of his staff.

²² By faith Joseph, nearing his end, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel; and he gave a command concerning his bones.

²³ By faith Moses was hid for three months by his parents after his birth, because they saw the young child was beautiful and they did not fear the order of the king. ²⁴ By faith Moses, when grown up, refused to be called the son of the daughter of Phar′aoh, ²⁵ choosing to be ill-treated with the people of God rather than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin, ²⁶ because he esteemed the reproach of the Christ as riches greater than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked intently toward the payment of the reward. ²⁷ By faith he left Egypt, but not fearing the anger of the king, for he continued steadfast as seeing the One who is invisible. ²⁸ By faith he had celebrated the passover and the splashing of the blood, that the destroyer might not touch their firstborn ones.

²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land, but on venturing out upon it the Egyptians were swallowed up.

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jer′i·cho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. ³¹ By faith Ra′hab the harlot did not perish with those who acted disobediently, because she received the spies in a peaceable way.

³² And what more shall I say? For the time will fail me if I go on to relate about Gid′e·on, Ba′rak, Samson, Jeph′thah, David as well as Samuel and the [other] prophets, ³³ who through faith defeated kingdoms in conflict, effected righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ stayed the force of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from a weak state were made powerful, became valiant in war, routed the armies of foreigners. ³⁵ Women received their dead by resurrection; but other [men] were tortured because they would not accept release by some ransom, in order that they might attain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Yes, others received their trial by mockings and scourgings, indeed, more than that, by bonds and prisons. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were tried, they were sawn asunder, they died by slaughter with the sword, they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, while they were in want, in tribulation, under ill-treatment; ³⁸ and the world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and mountains and caves and dens of the earth.

³⁹ And yet all these, although they had witness borne to them through their faith, did not get the [fulfillment of the] promise, ⁴⁰ as God foresaw something better for us, in order that they might not be made perfect apart from us.

The Experience exchanged

The Stephen and Paul Speech

"Stephen" recounts the sacred history of the Jews from Abraham, through Moses, to Solomon and finishes by using the words of the prophets to denounce "the Jews". "Paul" complements Stephen's story by adding in the conquest of Canaan, the period of Judges, the preparation of John, and the coming of Jesus. He, too, finishes with a warning from the prophets. The original text has been cut and pasted into two separate chapters of Acts of the Apostles, in both places where a "warning to the Jews" was required. And where did it come from? "The speech of Stephen is closely modelled on the 'Deuteronomic' psalms." – G. Lampe, Peake's Commentary on the Bible, p884. Both Greek-speaking Jews, Stephen and Paul are stoned for their trouble. However Paul, unlike the less fortunate Stephen, is required to keep the story running so he makes an instant recovery, despite being "dumped for dead". Paul being stoned at Lystra (from a 5th-century ivory casket). The stoning of Stephen. Inspiration from Josephus? Jewish historian Josephus also reports on a Stephen and an execution in Wars 2.12.2. "For at the public road at Beth-boron, one Stephen, a servant of Caesar, carried some furniture, which the robbers fell upon and seized." In the same paragraph Josephus continues " ... a certain soldier, finding the sacred book of the law, tore it to pieces, and threw it into the fire." To placate the incensed Jews "... perceiving that the multitude would not be quiet unless they had a comfortable answer from him, gave order that the soldier should be brought ... to execution, which being done, the Jews went their ways." A Stephen, an offence against the Law, an execution ...

Stephen's Speech to the Sanhedrin (Acts 7.2-53) "Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. 'Leave your country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.' So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child. God spoke to him in this way: 'Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,' God said, 'and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.' Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our fathers could not find food. When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph's family. After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all. Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money. As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased. Then another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt. He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our forefathers by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die. At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for in his father's house. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, 'Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?' But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.' This is the same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. He led them out of Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the desert. This is that Moses who told the Israelites, 'God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.' He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us. But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. They told Aaron, 'Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt — we don't know what has happened to him!' That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a celebration in honor of what their hands had made. But God turned away and gave them over to the worship of the heavenly bodies. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets: 'Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings Forty years in the desert, O house of Israel? You have lifted up the shrine of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile' beyond Babylon. Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built the house for him. However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?' You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him — you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it." Paul continues the story (Acts 13.16-41) “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment. After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior — Jesus — after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’ Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead. He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. And we declare to you glad tidings — that promise which was made to the fathers. God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’ Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’ For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ Copyright © 2008 by Kenneth Humphreys.