Ezion-Geber by Helen M. Smouse

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 22, 1906

Ezion-Geber

By Helen M. Smouse

Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber. 1 Kings 22 : 48.

*Fair winds and well-set sails Will bear, at break of day, The fleet of Judah’s king, In quest of gold away. Once had the Lord through Moses taught, “No gold for hoarding shall be sought;” But now His servant this forgot, And these ten ships of Tarshish brought To Ezion-geber.*

*What strikes along the sea And darkens all its light, As sudden cloud o’ercasts The grain-fields, harvest white?— The shadow of His angel’s wing! He flies the lightning to unchain, The tempest from his caves to bring, And forth God’s indignation fling At Ezion-geber.*

*Split mast and drooping sail, And helpless hull upturned! A sheet of flame the sea Beneath the sunrise burned. The Orient morn rose calm and fair, And showed God’s purpose written there: “In sordid conquest have no share; My love has saved thee from this snare At Ezion-geber.”*

*I had a purpose once, Worldly and selfish all. Knowing the better way, I heeded not the call. My fleet set sail, but met God’s breath, The ships fled broken from His wrath With splintered beams, and rudder cleft, And roaring sails of stay bereft— My Ezion-geber.*

*Split mast and drooping sail, Rents in the well-built keel; Where erst the gold was piled, The lapping waters steal. Wreckage and ruin all, where piled Strong-breasted purposes of pride. Thy waterspouts and billows cried, And deafening depth to depth replied, O Ezion-geber!*

*Fairer than fairest morn Where gorgeous Orient sky Downpours its myriad tints On waves below that lie, The morning of God’s purpose came,— My soul’s “clear shining after rain,”— And o’er the broken quest of fame, Rose joyful praises to His name, For Ezion-geber.*

*O friend, arise! He calls Whose “way is in the storm;” In the crashing of thy hopes He sounds thy soul’s alarm. Come, hasten to His secret place, Where He will teach thee face to face. Ennobled, thou shalt walk His ways, And partnership with God replace Thy Ezion-geber.*

*And if the tempter holds The glass before our eyes, Reflecting stately ships From buried depths that rise, Like King Jehoshaphat of old The lesson of our loss we’ll hold, And trust the Power that overruled, Till praises flow from harps of gold For Ezion-gebers.*

— Helen M. Smouse.