DevoBlogging – Day 23 Six Word Synopsis

Genesis 49, 50 Psalm 25

We have come to the end of the book of Genesis. As the story has unfolded we find God’s people not as well off as when they first started. As a people the children of creation, promise and blessing are no longer in Eden but in Egypt. The descendants of Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (aka Israel) and all of the rest of them are far removed from the idyllic existence of a garden.  As a reader it is a relief to finally finish this part of the story. As a citizen of the twenty-first century I am now ready for the sequel. Bring on Genesis II as it will certainly tie up all of the loose ends and bring us quickly to a nicely wrapped Hollywood ending. As a student of scripture I know that the journey home will not be that neatly presented. There will be no quick sitcom-like resolutions. There will be no trilogy of stories that will help us to better understand the real meaning of the story. Instead we will find that we still have much to wade through on this adventure of Bible reading. Stick with it and recognize that the reward is not in finishing the task but the journey itself.

I have recently been introduced to the “Six Word Memoir.” Smith Magazine claims to have originated the idea of asking readers to write their memoir using only six words. You can go to their website to see some intriguing and insightful albeit short memoirs.  As we read through the Bible I encourage you to pause as we finish each book and attempt you own “six word synopsis” of each book. The only rule is six words.

Here are a few of my attempts for the book of Genesis:

Started in a Garden – Now Egypt

Not worthy BUT chosen and blessed.

Disobedient, Murdering, Lying, Stealing – my story?

Repeat Offenders meets Witness Protection Program

Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

I look forward to reading your six word synopses. Please post or email them to me.