Tag: For Better or for Worse: Lessons From OT Couples

Yahweh and Israel: Fulfillment Beyond Failure

• Lesson 13 for the week of September 22 to September 29

Many Christians speak of the so called “Old Testament God” as a God of wrath and violence. I held a similar view until a class forced me to read extended portions of the Old Testament...

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Hosea and Gomer: Forgiving the Unfaithful

• Lesson 12 for the week of September 15 to September 22

Hosea was a prophet whose ministry lasted approximately 40 years. His focus was on the northern kingdom, Israel, and the judgment of God brought on by the Assyrians. The details of his message, however, are...

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Ahab and Jezebel: Abuse of Authority

• Lesson 11 for the week of September 8 to September 15

With surprisingly graphic language, the Adult Sabbath School Study Guide expresses the partnership of Ahab and Jezebel as “a marriage made in hell! When you take one weak-willed king and add to him a power-hungry...

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David and Bathsheba: Adultery and After

• Lesson 10 for the week of September 1 to September 8

David is referred to in the New Testament as someone God called “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22). We have already seen, however, that great men and women of God are still sinners,...

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The Jobs: Living With Losses

• Lesson 9 for the week of August 25 to September 1

Most scholars view the book of Job as one of the oldest books in the Bible. It is perhaps not surprising that it deals with one of the oldest questions of humankind: why? Why do...

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Elkanah and Hannah: Fulfilling a Vow

• Lesson 8 for the week of August 18 to August 25

In a sense, Hannah and Elkanah are one of the lesser known couples in this quarter’s lessons. They were known, not so much for their own accomplishments, but rather, because of the ministry of their...

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Boaz and Ruth: Firm Foundations

• Lesson 7 for the week of August 11 to August 18

The story Ruth and Boaz is well known and well loved. It serves as a favorite for contemporary writers of “historical Bible fiction.” As one reads the book of Ruth, it is easy to see...

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Samson and His Women: The Folly of Passion

• Lesson 6 for the week of August 4 to August 11

In a sense, Samson is perhaps both the strongest and weakest man in the Bible. His incredible physical strength was overshadowed by a lack of willpower and self-control. His story serves as a warning to...

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Moses and Zipporah: Relating with Relations

• Lesson 5 for the week of July 28 to August 4

There are many parallels between the stories of Jacob and Moses. Both flee their homes, afraid, and both meet their soon-to-be wives while at a well. In the case of Moses, however, his wife was...

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Jacob and Rachel: Labor of Love

• Lesson 4 for the week of July 21 to July 28

The Adult Sabbath School lesson quarterly emphasizes that the marriage of Jacob and Rachel stands out in the Old Testament because it is not an arranged marriage, but a “love marriage.” This love, however, did...

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Isaac and Rebekah: Rearing Rivals

• Lesson 3 for the week of July 14 to July 21

It is perhaps not surprising that the story of Isaac and Rebekah echoes that of Abraham and Sarah. The lesson quarterly notes that both couples struggled with childlessness, both had to deal with disputes over...

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Abraham and Sarah: Faith Tested and Tried

• Lesson 2 for the week of July 7 to July 14

In the New Testament, Abraham is repeatedly used as an example of a man of faith (Hebrews 11:8-19). Sarah is used as a symbol for the new covenant (Galatians 4:21-31). This is somewhat surprising in...

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Adam and Eve: The Intended Ideal

• Lesson 1 for the week of June 30 to July 7

In the introduction, I noted that this quarter’s lessons should not be viewed as a marriage manual. Instead, we will look at life lessons which can be learned by looking at the stories of various...

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Introduction

• Introduction

Guests for the taping of this series of “Good Word” (formerly “Probe”) broadcasts are two members of the School of Theology at Walla Walla University: Zdravko Stefanovic, Professor of the Old Testament, and Carl Cosaert,...

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