Carrying God part I  

 The priests carried the ark upon poles.   They held high the holy item with golden staves.     They supported their sacred symbol upon their shoulders.     It was there, between them as they went forth.     Upon a cart it was not to be laid.     To have it pulled by a beast of burden was not to be…   Even a cart of fine gold was not sufficient.      Nor even an Ox of the highest pedigree!    For a cart- even the very best.   Is still a lowly man-made tool.   Crafted to carry man’s own possessions.  To haul his tents & food, his other tools…   & if it be so - his toys!      And the Ox – the mighty ox;     What of it, what is its failing, its fault?   It is not so dishonorable in itself…   Only as its given task is to plow & to pull.   As a beast of burden, and at man’s command …   - All its life, it shall be!     No rather, upon the shoulders of man…   Even between men, it is to be held and carried.   For as the symbol of the Lord, thy God, even His presence!   It was for man to carry it with honor – to hold it high.     Not as merely another item of his, a possession he owns,    To be mixed with his other lowly belonging.     Nor to be left to the unsure steps of the beast …   Even as a burden, to be pulled behind as the creature plods along!     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    For behold, The Lord has stated …   Thy God has declared – even asked thee!     “To who or what will ye liken me    & make me an equal?…       And compare me that we may be alike?”   What does all this yet mean?…   “Even that - It is you that are my possession!   And that - Among you I desire to dwell & there, be kept !    With careful & certain steps it should be,   Even brought along respectfully!”  …      What yet of the Ox? …    “It is a creature of mine just as thee,    Only to the plow, the cart & its manger…     It its whole life – to these alone, its only aim!”   “Am I even as a burden to thee & to be left to the beast?   Is it not I - Thy God, that has brought thee forth?  Did not my hand give thee, thy “things”- Thine all? …  As I do request, that with thee, I may abide -  Remember it is even that thou are my own precious belonging!  Remember it is I – Thy Lord that has carried …              - And even Daily Bears Thee!!”