When the aggressor
strikes
there are
consequences
in man’s laws, and
the law of God
when there is harm
there is a judgment;
but no more than
is truly needed
not to inflict pain
but to exact
justice
to balance the
scales
to mete out the measure
an eye for an eye
a life for a life
No more than that
is truly justice
no more than that
is God’s punishment
the words of Exodus
the Law of Moses
the Word to the
people
the chosen of God;
When the victim
becomes
the new aggressor
demanding more
than God calls for
Himself
=====
edited February 4, 2015
proportionality – v2
edited August 3, 2014
proportionality
Hamas may have fired rockets into Israel
but has Israel’s response been proportional,
consistent with the Law
&
Exodus 21:23-25
“23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,
24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
Exodus 21:12-36
&
edited July 26, 2014
even if they are right – v2
edited July 26, 2014
even if they are right
(after the end of the 12-hour ceasefire)
edited July 18, 2014
pray for the children
after the ground invasion of Gaza
by Israeli forces
edited July 11, 2014
does it matter who started this
edited July 11, 2014
fish in a barrel, fish with weapons
edited July 10, 2014
Israel’s Future
post of child in rage about the Israeli’s bulldozing his home
in the Gaza Strip
7/10/2014
edited July 10, 2014
the battle foreordained – v2
new poem June 8, 2014
the battle foreordained
Daniel 7
and Men’s Bible Study
Stetson Memorial United Methodist
Church
Patten, ME
June 8, 2014
&
edited March 16, 2014
“Innocent Blood – v5”
(editing version 3)
Edited November 26, 2012
“Innocent Blood – v4”
after rereading original inspiration for the poem
Edited November 23, 2012
“Innocent Blood – v3”
November 23, 2012
“Innocent Blood – v2”
after writing several poems on this topic
&
announcement of a cease fire
between Gaza (Hamas) and Israel
November 21, 2012
&
the tragedy of the fighting in Gaza and Israel
and the source of the conflict
in the division of Ishmael and Isaac
the sons of Abraham
&
original poem
January 14 and 15, 2009
“Innocent Blood”
Matthew 2:13-23
and words of Bishop Peter Weaver,
in his Partners in Ministry email
1/14/09,
“♦ THE TERRIBLE VIOLENCE IN THE GAZA STRIP is
deeply disturbing. Hundreds of innocent
civilians, including children are being caught in the crossfire. Last week,
after we celebrated Epiphany (Jan. 6, the magi visiting Bethlehem) I thought
about the rest of Matthew 2 where Herod sets out to kill all the
"innocents" under two and Mary, Joseph and Jesus head for
Egypt....probably through Gaza! Both the
Palestinians and Israelis fear and react to violence from the other side and to
a long history of threats and actions that are indelibly etched in their
memories. Tragically, every additional
death and injustice etches new memories in new generations who will grow up
with even more hatred and determination to "win", no matter what the
means of terrorism or oppression. "An eye for an eye, leaves everyone blind"
How can peace with
justice be found?
A Quaker saying,
based in the Gospel, points the way.
"There can be no peace without reconciliation. There can be no reconciliation without
forgiveness. There can be no forgiveness
without giving up the hope of a better yesterday." In other words, holding on to the deeply
etched bitterness of the past prevents us from embracing a new future of
peace. Nations do it. Families do it. Churches do it. Pray that we might all become
peacemakers. Pray for the land we call
"holy."”
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001,
2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 35,690+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
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