Prophecy

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The lion shall
eat straw like the ox.
[Isaiah 11:7]
***********************
"Uh uh, Lord!"

"What, My child?"

"Well.....You know I'm
trying to get through
this Bible study homework."

[NOD.]

(frown.)
(squint.)
"Ya know, Lord.....I really
wish You had let me write
this Part, for You."

"Why, child?"

"Eh.....well....."

"Speak, child."

"Yeah, but I don't want
to be offensive, or
nothin. I feel like
I'm ALREADY in trouble."

"Go on."

"This Isaiah.....it's just
too HEAVY, Lord:
what with little kids
playin with snakes, and all.
ECH!"

"What is this Part about, child?"

"Eh.......well, You talk about
the Middle East, a lot."

[PATIENT NOD.]
"What else, little one."

"Eh.......well, first they
smack Israel upside the head,
and then YOU smack THEM.
Isn't that about the GIST
of it?"

[PATIENT NOD.]

"Then, there's this whole
part about the coming
Messiah...."

"Go on."

"Well, then there's this
absurd part about all
the animals PLAYING
together; what's all
this ABOUT, Lord?"

"My Word, child."

"Yeah....but, it doesn't
make any SENSE."

[PATIENT SMILE.]
"Tell Me, child."

"Well, I really think
I know cats a lot better
that You do, Lord."

[LOVING SMILE.]
"Go on, My precious."

"This part about the
lions eating STRAW;
have You ever SEEN
a kitty after it
eats that RAFFIA
stuff off 'a
WRAPPING paper?"

[SOLEMN NOD.]

"Ya know what HAPPENS,
Lord?"

"What, My beloved."

"It throws up."

[PATIENT NOD.]

"Plain and simple, Lord.
That's it.
(frown.)
(look up at air conditioning vent.)
That's it."

"Yes, My beloved."

"Yeah; usually, they
wait til they're
on your favorite
carpet, or quilt.
(grimacing pause)
THEN, they throw up."

"Yes, My precious."

"Do Ya see why I'm
having trouble
with this Part, Lord?"

[NOD.]

"Do Ya SEE?"

"Yes, My beloved."

(nod)
"I just had to tell Ya, Lord.
I'm sorry."

[SOLEMN NOD.]

"I hope I didn't offend You."

"No, My child."

(nod.)
"I'm glad we had this
little talk, Lord."

[LONG PAUSE.]
"But, you will
offend Me, child."

(look up at air conditioning vent.)
"HUH?"

[NOD.]
"If you don't read
My Word."
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The wolf shall dwell
with the lamb,
and the leopard
shall lie down with the kid.....
In that day the root
of Jesse shall stand
as an ensign
to the peoples;
Him shall the nations seek,
and His dwellings
shall be glorious.
[Isaiah 11:6-10]

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