To move out of Moab
Into Israel meant
The crossing of Jordan.
In the House of Bread why
Just gleaning? Naomi
Guided her appetite.
A hen gathers her own
Chicks – but grace protected
Ruth as an orphaned chick.
Bethlehem, House of Bread,
Was not enough – she found
The mighty Man of wealth:
A man who had resource
To meet her need – whose love
Would cause him to spend it.
"It is in Isaac that I have decreed
A glorious name unto thy holy seed.
From him the godly nation shall descend,
His sons their eastern conquests shall extend,
And from a race of kings at last shall rise
That glorious Monarch whose great victories
Shall overthrow the powers of Death and Hell
And them from their usurped realm expel.
Then all mankind, whom they did captivate
Shall be his grace attain a blessed state.
Redeemed out of the dark unpleasant grave,
He shall their lives in sacred dwellings save.
But first a long and various tracts of time
Must be expired before thy nephews climb
To these last glories; yet here steadfast rest
Thy faith: the world shall be in Isaac blessed.
Then let not longer thy affections flow
In a divided channel, but bestow
It whole on him who is ordained thine heir,
And trust thy other child unto my care."
