Ruth

 

She came from a country of famine,

And her gleaning was more than the most,

Yet "she sat in the house but a little,"

Were the words of the mighty man's boast.

 

Not only much hunger, but sorrow,

Had marked out the way that she came,

Left alone by the death of her husband;

Of a race that could only mean shame.

 

She found that those great wings of refuge,

Would comfort, support and provide,

That her lonely heart's aching was answered

As he counselled her there to reside.

 

Go not to another field, gleaning,

For there's plenty of work to be done.

And the fields, they are white for the harvest:

The first‑fruits made ripe by the sun.

 

She lay at his feet till the morning,

To give him her heart was her wish.

He appealed to a nearer relation,

For the right of redemption was his.

 

He owned that he could not redeem her.

So that lover the matter must meet,

By a token of humiliation -

He must stoop and un-sandal his feet.

 

And such was the love that has claimed us,

Magnanimous heart bore the loss,

For the feet that had led Him to Calvary,

Were the ones they did nail to the cross.

 

So we gladly may loosen the sandal,

In respect of this holiest ground,

And give it up too for our David,

Give it up, give it all in His hand.

 

For religious ideals of reforming,

Would ne'er bring a Moabite in,

But bearing His humiliation,

Be renewed, full of Christ, freed from sin.

Mark Humber 1999

The Good Samaritan

On  a well-travelled route, the old Jericho Way,

So well known to many of us,

Went a man out alone on the ill-fated day

To a palm-treed old city of lust.

But afflicted by robbers, and wounded and stripped,

Left dying by merciless hands.

A spectacle sad for any who tripped

Down the road through the Palestine sands.

          So, will anyone stop for a soul in distress,

          And what could you possibly do?

          As you ponder your choice, you are put to the test-

What if Jesus had not stopped for you?

The clergy came up with his robes and his book,

And looked on the pitiful sight.

But his flock was at home, with no one to look,

So he passed by the opposite side.

The Levite, he likewise came strutting along

To observe with disinterested eye.

If only he had there that most august throng-

But no one was there to descry.

So, will anyone stop for a soul in distress,

          And what could you possibly do?

          As you ponder your choice, you are put to the test-

What if Jesus had not stopped for you?

Next, a stranger came up to the place where he lay-

An outcast Samaritan, he.

Rejected, he has no desire for display,

But was moved by a deep sympathy.

He bound up his wounds, poured in oil and wine-

Laid him on his beast that was there.

Took him to a place where they’re caring and kind

And promised all cost he would bear.

So, will anyone stop for a soul in distress,

          And what could you possibly do?

          As you ponder your choice, you are put to the test-

What if Jesus had not stopped for you?

Now, you’ve known this old story in Luke well indeed,

And enjoyed its great Gospel appeal,

But, have you got the point of the neighbour in need-

Poor lawyer, yet cynical still?

When you passed by that young soul so cocky (for sure),

Did you greet him with friendship so rare?

Or speak to the sullen to bring him some cheer-

Did you stop, just a moment to spare?

So, will anyone stop for a soul in distress,

          And what could you possibly do?

          As you ponder your choice, you are put to the test-

            What if Jesus had not stopped for you?              

Mark Humber 1999

My disgust with religious pretence.