by Gordon Gilbert
in the Israel of ancient times,
prophets were revered
and even kings
(often reluctantly)
would allow them voice
knowing
they must be heard
even when (especially when)
they came to denounce
the actions or inaction
of the king
because all knew they were
both messengers from God
and the voice of the people
and as such
prophets must be given audience
some kings even listened
some even changed their ways
but this is not the Israel of old
and “King” Bibi chooses to kill
he does not listen
not to those who prophetize
nor to the voice of the people
and the anger grows on all sides
as former friends of Israel fall away
no
this is not the Israel of old
this king ignores the prophets
this king must go
NOW
if Israel is to survive
Author's Note:
My father was a minister.
Not the kind who preached fire and brimstone.
He preached God’s love and forgiveness.
But sometimes his sermons served to educate the congregation
about one or another of the Old Testament prophets
and why he thought them important.
Gordon Gilbert is a resident of the West Village in NYC who got through the pandemic taking long walks along the Hudson River.
