Atonement Old and New

A Tone Meant Yesterday

The Lord decreed an atonement cover for the Ark of the Testimony

Without it there could be no Tent of Meeting, unapproachable mystery

Of solid gold atop the Ark, wrought with cherubim guarding each end

Facing each other, gaze fixed on the cover, flexed upwards their wings extend

The Ark itself, an acacia wood chest, gold overlay inside out

Treasured within, two stone tablets engraved, with Israel left in no doubt

Testimony testament, contract covenant, commandments call it what you will

Legal stipulation, juristic revelation, Mosaic wonder filled

Gathered around outside, attentive, all Israel encamped and aware

In sacred assembly, self-denying preparedly, for the state of the nation to fare

This Yom Kippur, a nom de guerre, for people stained by sin

One day of atonement, sabbath rest in their own tent, from the war within

No works can be done, lest cutoff and destroyed, ‘cept saving work of High Priest

Of sacrificed animal, bull and goat sprinkled blood, covers sin from great to the least

Behind braided curtain, Most Holy certain, Aaron’s blood would learn too late

Only one can enter this sacred precint, High Priest, on time and date

Hot coals and incense, fragrant cloud develops, Glory envelops the Ark

Seeing down broken laws, divine wrath outpours, for a second the outcome looks stark

But being proscribed, turns his anger aside, this all goes according to plan

Substitutionary blood, propitiatory flood, forgiveness woman and man

Sound trumpet blast, canon prayer and fast, jubilant years are coming

Shofar so good, babies leap as should, to hear that tone a’humming

The Lord decreed, the penitent succeed, by observing this lasting ordinance

Generations to come, his people in sum, marshall will and levy ordinance

Martial will with heavy ordnance.

Today of Atonement

Listening hour has come, on this day made, for appropriate explanation

Glistening crown and chest, three dimensions laid, space time now Spirit’s revelation

To digest inwardly, on tablets of stone, proved impossible for hard-hearted Man

A new testament quest, whose blood can atone, for sins that millennia span

Cometh the Man, the Lamb a Lion, his light bursts forth progressive

Loosed cords of Orion, drew Magi to Zion, for removal of sins oppressive

This living covenant, written hearts and minds, perfection eternally ministering

We enter through curtain of flesh ripped and torn, torture murder, skin for skin blistering

Divines of the day, society elite, the ruling class nod grimly

Whilst brothers and sisters on horizon’s fixed cleat, gaze through the looking-glass dimly

Along linear scale, flashing light back and forth, Cross weighs time event specific

The west again, east Eden south north, look to Jesus for conscience pacific

Between God and Man, to reconcile, requires some sort of gearing

Penitentiary blues, earth’s captive audience, thank the Lord we are given a hearing

He advocates, through narrow gate, the path to life eternal

To serve, not swerve nor deviate, lest separation infernal

Today’s atonement, all of us fallen in pride, pray now humble adoration

To the Father who listens, above accuser snide, to his Son and your salvation

Jacob’s struggle a wrench, David’s stronghold a wench, all journeymen need mediation

And if pagans aggressive afflict pilgrims progressive, upon gurney men heal in meditation

For his will is done, our inheritance sure, we his children the beneficiaries

Heed the call to follow, in this age of the net, with focus on men and fisheries

The instructions to Peter in his reinstatement, find pasture, go feed my lambs

Release the captives by the law that gives freedom, proclaim Gospel, laying on of hands

Through gate of this pen, watch men army loyal, chosen to recognise Shepherd’s voice

Truth is a person, objective and royal, love the Lord God mourn and rejoice

In valley of death, dry bones astir, the body breathes Spirit eyes bright

Vast flock a Union, reunion soon, seconds coming Commander of light.

David L. Ross