Isaac's Song

Tune: Lafferty (“Seek Ye First”)

Life on the edge is always a risky bet

Moving from fear to need.

From Ur to Canaan, Sarah and Abe

Tried hard to help God succeed.

As biological clock raced by

Sister and wife interchanged.

Finally, Hagar seemed to be last hope;

Ishmael’s birth was arranged.

God’s plan was larger than anyone knew

Including Ur’s favored son.

Nursery at 90 is wildly absurd;

God’s sense of humor had won.

Laughed when he told them at Mamre’s oaks

“Get ready for your first child!”

Lost her false teeth as she cackled in hope;

God’s joke is truly wild!

Nonagenarian parenthood is tough

No matter what circumstance.

Ishmael and Isaac got along so well,

Sarah gave Hagar a chance.

Then came the day when fear reared its ugly head;

Sarah’s rage running wild.

How do you think it made Abraham feel

To banish his firstborn child?

Nightmares are made of things just such as this:

Hearing God’s voice made him quake,

“Take your son Isaac to sacrificing grounds;

There take his life for my sake.”

Isaac said to his father Abraham

“Something I don’t understand:

We’ve got the fire for the sacrifice;

Who will provide the ram?

Abraham said, “I have lived my whole life

Trying to walk by God’s side.

When my life’s path has seemed most dark and bleak

I’ve found that God will provide.

Stacking the wood brought midnight so near;

Abraham’s heart nearly failed.

When the ram’s cry broke into the eerie black,

All knew that love had prevailed!

© 2012 Todd Jenkins