THe SeRVaNT oF YaHWeH*

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Master YaHWeH 

has given to me 

a discipled tongue,

to sustain the weary.

Morning by morning, 

he wakens me.

Wakens my eyes to see, 

opens my ears,

like a disciple, 

disciple who hears, 

he instructs me now 

to win over fears.

He's been up before me 

his day has begun

I'm allowed to work with him

“like Father, like son”

His passion drives me on 

his sunlight it streams

I turned not to other suns

In lands of my dreams

I drank up his bitter cup,

not strawberries and cream.

Master YaHWeH 

has opened my ears;

I'm gladly his bondslave,

God's servant appears.

The Lord Yahweh 

thus gives words to say.

Morning by morning, 

he wakens me.

Wakens my eyes to see, 

opens my ears,

like a disciple, 

disciple who hears, 

I will respond and obey, 

though through tears.

I have done what he asked me,

I have not turned away.

When asked to do things 

which others would 

humiliate me for, 

I continued in the obedience 

of responsive love, 

for my relationship with 

my Master meant more 

than my relationship with 

those who would humiliate me:

I offered my back to 

those who beat me, 

my cheeks to those who 

then pulled out my beard; 

from mocking and spitting, 

I did not hide my face 

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,

I scorn all their disgrace, 

(while not scorning 

themselves as

image-bearers of 

my Master & Lord). 

Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not (at the end, 

no matter what I must go through before

that) be put to shame. 

He who vindicates me is near. 

Who then will bring charges against me? 

Let us face each other! 

Who is my accuser? 

Let him confront me! 

It’s my Master 

Yahweh who 

helps me. 

Who will now condemn me? 

They will all wear out 

like a garment; moths will eat them up.”

Who among you fears 

the LORD and so obeys 

the word of his servant? 

Let the one 

who walks in the dark, 

who has no light, 

trust in the name of the Lord 

and on their God rely!

But now, all you who light fires and provide 

yourselves with flaming torches, go, & walk 

in all the light of your fires - do not hide

the torches you have set ablaze, don’t baulk.

But this is what you shall receive from my 

my helping hand: you will lie down and die,

lie up, in torment, and in pain° (until a gain 

is got from fear’s obey’ng

& love awaked, casts fear aside, 

somehow abides!)

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*  [‭Isaiah 50:4-11 (NIVUK‬) (Hebrew & other English versions + see monograph Servant Songs by Henri Blocher)]

° another case where even 

• God’s questions lead to answers, 

• his curses lead to blessing, 

• his discipline leads to wise & powerful choosing: 

e.g.        “If anyone would come after me, 

let him deny himself, 

take up his implement of un-agendering & painful death, and 

follow me, in my WAY forward!”

Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 9; 12; 14)

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