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Introduction

Paul prepares Timothy for challenges (that will include dealing with apostates). He writes in his second letter to Timothy, "God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but one of power and of love and of soundness of mind." (Second Timothy 1:7). As a compassionate teacher, Paul adds, "For a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, showing restraint when wronged, instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed." (Second Timothy 2:24, 25) What a privilege Timothy enjoys, instructed by such a man, who reflects many Christ-like qualities, such as fellow feeling, and who emboldens others, as Christ did, with joyful endurance and courage. Exhorting Timothy, Paul says, "Continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe." (Second Timothy 3:14) Apostate teachings were proliferating, and so protective Paul urges Timothy, "Preach the word; be at it urgently in favorable times and difficult times; reprove, reprimand, exhort, with all patience and art of teaching." (Second Timothy 4:2)

An excerpt, chapter one

Gibeonites, like men with ears pierced
By the awl, suing for peace;
Like men before the king's son,
Bowed in obedience and humility,
Full of the yielding spirit that does
Not bite or trip or smash;
Gibeonites, who did not know the chill
Of Pharaoh's heart;
These Canaanite sons, like perfect
Adam naming animals, caring for Eden;
Like Rahab, looking after spies;
Like wise men with their ears to the
Door or doorpost, understanding
Themselves, with these words in
Their mouths, "Yes, master. Let me
Serve you forever."

The author

Dan Lukiv is a poet, novelist, columnist, short story and article writer, and independent education researcher (hermeneutic phenomenology). His creative writing has appeared in 19 countries. Recently, he has been experimenting with temporal shifts and narrative strings in his haiku and senryu.