Yet another summary of Israelite history

Barnabas and Saul began their first missionary journey after the Holy Spirit spoke to the Church in Antioch (of Syria).
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2)
From Antioch, they proceeded to Selucia, Cyprus and in Salamis, John Mark joined them (Acts 13:5). In Paphos, they defeated a magician Bar-Jesus and converted the proconsul Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:6-12). Saul began to be known as Paul in Paphos (Acts 13:9).
Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).
From Perga, they reached Antioch of Pisidia. On Sabbath, Paul stood up to speak in the synagogue. He delivered yet another summary of the history of Israel. He began with the patriarchs without naming them. No Abraham, no Jacob. True to his upbringing as a Pharisee, Paul substantiated his history with numbers! 40 years in the wilderness. 450 years in Canaan before the appearance of the Judges. 40 years of the reign of Saul, the first Israel king. In this summary, Moses and Joshua were not named. Samuel, David and John the Baptist were. From David, Paul immediately jumped to Jesus (Acts 13:17-25). So, Paul told the history of Israel to lay the foundation for his preaching that Jesus alone is the source of salvation. We will come back to this tomorrow.
It would be interesting to compare Paul's version with that of Stephen. Stephen spoke in greater details the story of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,  Joseph and Moses. From Joshua, Stephen jumped to David, then Solomon who built the first Temple. The last words of Stephen were devoted to show that God did not need a Temple and thus earned him his death! In short, Stephen told the history of Israel in order to prove that Temple worship was not essential for salvation. Once more, history is to be read with interpretations.
In the CDSC general meeting today, I met Maggie. She is now four months pregnant. What a happy wife and mother. Silly woman. Other people knew of her pregnancy before she herself did! One day, she vomited in class. The next day, students in the corridors made way for her, shouting at others not to knock down this pregnant lady. Students are excited and become more considerate towards her. When she felt a bit sick or dizzy, they would pull her a chair to sit down. Maggie is very smart. She immediately told them how much sufferings their mothers had to go through, carrying them to term. She is a lovely teacher, a blessing to her students.
Shung Tak has no luck. Many lady teachers do not consider marriage. Even married ladies there do not incline to bear children. Of course, it is their personal freedom and choices. But our students are deprived of the joy of witnessing the joy and wonder of motherhood. Shung Tak is barren! Is she under some curses from God? Once more, it is open to interpretations.
Sorry for being pessimistic. In fact, Sonia has given birth to a strong and healthy boy some months ago. Shung Tak is not at all barren.

Dear Lord, bless Shung Tak. Today, the net imprisoning the Madonna was removed. If there be any curses on us, remove them together with the net. Amen.