Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ANCIENT (06/04/20)
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TITLE: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Coffee Cake | Previous Challenge Entry
By Barbara Culler
06/10/20 -
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With that opening line describing the start of primeval creation and the ancients, my Sunday School class started an in-depth study of the biblical book of Genesis. That starting point, in of itself, is historical because the interactive lectures began 11 years ago, and we’ve yet to complete the scrutinization of the Bible’s first book.
When I first began attending the class six years ago, they were starting the twelfth chapter -- the originating story of Abraham. We’ve vicariously experienced his life, as well as his son Isaac’s, and grandson, Jacob’s lives. This last year, we’ve been getting to know Jacob’s son, Joseph. We were to start chapter 45 — where Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers when the pandemic prevented further group study.
I’m amazed that our teacher can glean so much information from his research. He loves studying through books on biblical commentators, garnering his insights, and then sharing them with the group. He brings to life the old stories that I grew up learning on flannel-graph boards. But he also adds humanity to the characters, so that I feel like I knew them.
Since it was such a monumental event when we completed chapter 25 —the halfway point, we celebrated with coffee cake. Someone decided that we should reward ourselves following the completion of each chapter, so that reward week became known as coffee-cake Sunday.
Over the course of the next twenty chapters, coffee cake morphed into donuts, bagels, brownies, cookies, and fruit. A time or two, we’ve had a soft taco bar. No doubt, we will partake of a scrumptious spread once our in-person meetings resume.
With six chapters remaining before finishing the study of this old book, it may be another two or three years before we reach the end. Looking ahead, I’ve read the last chapter reporting that after Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers were worried that he would retaliate for their past mistreatment. However, Joseph told them that even though they intended to harm him, God used it for good.
Genesis teaches about God’s covenants and promises. I’ve learned that even when I go off-course from God’s plan, He still works His will for my life using those side trips. Satan may use roadblocks for harm, but God works it out for something greater. I’m grateful that it’s not taken me over a decade to learn that concept.
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