The land of Mesopotamia
in 2000 BC,
flourished by the banks
of the River Euphrates.
Here great cities prospered
boasting walls thick and wide.
Ziggurat temples
loomed toward the sky.
Legends arose
of great kings from the past;
And tales of deities
varied and vast.
Most famous of all
was Gilgamesh, by name,
who embarked on a quest:
eternal life to gain.
This myth, full of peril,
sent by Ishtar’s hand,
hints truth in recording
a deluge covering land.
In the end Ishtar’s deception
is ultimately what’s to blame,
for why eternal life
cannot be attained.
So Mesopotamian civilization
worshipped moon, earth, and sun,
with traces of truth
of how sin had begun.
Surrounded by this culture,
Abram chose a different view:
To follow the One
and Only God that is true. (Genesis 12:1-5)
Several hundred years later
another empire arose,
boasting might, wealth and power;
pyramids plated in gold.
Here a well-preserved body
was the afterlife key;
along with amassed riches
for the afterlife journey.
While all people worshipped
the sun god – Ra,
a teenage Hebrew slave
stood for the One True God.
A seven-year drought
sent by the True God’s hand
demonstrated His sovereignty
over Egypt’s land. (Genesis 39-41)
Yet time fades the memory
as generations pass away.
Conquest made the empire
the greatest of its day.
Egypt’s New Kingdom dominated
the worldwide scene.
Pharaohs viewed themselves
as ‘God of everything.’
Within the royal household,
a young Hebrew child was brought.
Moses – who was chosen to
proclaim the One True God. (Exodus 1-4)
“I Am the God of heaven,
God of earth, sky, and sun.
I Am the God of life;
I Am the Only One.
“I send blood upon the waters.
I send pestilence of flies.
I control the crops and livestock.
I send the dark of night.
“I Am the God of truth.
I Am the God of light.
I will send a coming Savior
who’ll provide eternal life.”
So, with unsurpassed greatness
the leading nation of its day,
was brought to its knees
in an unprecedented way. (Exodus 7-12)
A delivered Hebrew people
were now divinely called,
to be a testimony
of the One and Only God.
However, social pressures
sway hearts that are cold.
Egypt’s cow goddess, Hathor,
was fashioned from gold. (Exodus 32)
Alliances in Canaan
caused value compromise.
Soon Israel was worshiping
Baal – god of skies.
(Judges; 1 & 2 Samuel; 1 & 2 Kings)
They were positioned by God
to make an impact bold!
Strategically located
at the worldwide crossroads.
Yet unfaithfulness resulted
in an opportunity lost.
Punishment came,
at a very high cost. (2 Kings 24-25)
Captivity and deportment
to strange lands far away.
Here faithful ones stood for Truth
boldly come what may. (Daniel 1-3)
Their faithful perseverance,
and testimony strong,
introduced the One True God
to the Babylonians.
Captives returned home
during Persia’s reign of peace. (Ezra; Nehemiah)
Great thinkers changed world views
during the time of Greece.
Alexander the Great
conquered the world as it was known.
Then an empire rose to dominate:
iron-fisted Rome.
The known world was united
under Rome’s controlling hand.
The stage was set for the Savior
to fulfill God’s predetermined plan.
His message was repentance;
Salvation for the lost.
Jesus was the perfect sacrifice
upon Rome’s rugged cross.
He defeated death. He rose again.
He offers life to all.
He extends the invitation
for us on His name to call.
This Good News quickly spread!
Hungry souls believed.
Pagan practice was abandoned
as New Life was received.
The pagan tale of Ishtar
is a myth of ancient past.
Jesus’s Resurrection offers
eternal life which will last.
With the coming of the Savior
the world has never been the same.
We now are called and chosen,
to share the Good News of his name!
By: Amy Hayes
2006
