By Request

Here is a poem, of sorts, that I handed in years ago,

for extra credit in my Minor Prophets class:

Not the Odyssey but "Theodicy"

by Eddie Eddings

Habakkuk the Embracer
Clung to God with his two questions:

Had God vacated His throne?

Should I order my tombstone?

All this violence and contention

Within Judah I might mention.

It seems that justice and devotion

Took a trip across the ocean!

God answers, Judah will be punished

Observe and wonder, be astonished

For I am raising up Chaldeans

Big, bad, ugly human be-uns.

So get this vision little Hab

You can put it on my tab

Sin always carries a heavy price.

I'll crush Babylon like a bag of ice.

Woe, Woe, Woe your boat

Gently down the stream

Return to me with all your heart

I've promised to redeem.

So live by faith and you will see

I've never been an absentee;

The Chaldeans were never fancy-free

I used them like an employee.

They're not getting out of this scot-free

When I "cross my heart" it's a guarantee

So you can have a Jubilee!

P.S. someday I will visit Galilee

My Son will hang upon a tree

That's when you'll really be set free!