It’s an interesting question:
Whether those who are so good
At not listening now will hear
A word of what God says to them
When they meet at last—
Whether, for the first time ever,
An undesirable thought might be duly
Acknowledged in their minds for what it is—
Whether from the intrigue of sheer curiosity,
Or having been driven there by a force
Too great to be resisted.
And I have wondered if when “every tongue” confesses
It would be from compulsion under humiliating duress,
Or whether it should be rather the honest admission
Of a finally-surrendered soul.
And I suppose I like the latter more,
It making the better story, it seems to me,
That the mind in denial might eventually
See things straight—if only for a moment—
Even if it were too late
To make a difference.
And I suppose this might imply
That every soul condemned
Actually agrees at length with his Judge
And admits freely that he had it comin’.
Indeed, I think that even now,
They know they are in the wrong,
But they will not listen even to
The good sense of their own minds.
Hear this, you foolish and senseless people,
Jeremiah 5:21-22a. NIV (opens in a new tab)" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="ek-link">Jeremiah 5:21-22a. NIV
who have eyes but do not see,
who have ears but do not hear:
Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord.
“Should you not tremble in my presence?
