Bible Characters Mentioned in the Christian Science Lesson-Sermon*
1.14.07
BIBLE CHARACTERS IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON*
January 14, 2007
For CSDirectory.com
Compiled by C. Norman Wood, 5440 Mt Corcoran Place, Burke, VA 22015
703-898-8818,
SUBJECT: Sacrament
Weeks, Harold Taylor, "Spiritual Sacrament," Christian Science Journal (March 1967), p. 118.
--A student of Christian Science was once asked by an earnest inquirer, a member of another religious denomination, "What are your sacraments?"
• Realizing that the question referred to the use of material rites, the student replied, "In Christian Science we do not use material symbols of worship."
---When asked why these were omitted, he answered with a verse from the Christian Science Hymnal:
And as we rise, the symbols disappear;
The feast, though not the love, is past and gone;
The bread and wine remove, but Thou art here,
Nearer than ever, still my shield and sun. (Hymn 108)
--In considering these lines, an inquirer might ask: "Exactly what is a spiritual sacrament?
• What is there in Christian Science worship to replace the material symbols?
--Under the marginal heading "Spiritual Eucharist," Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health: "Our Eucharist is spiritual communion with the one God. Our bread, 'which cometh down from heaven,' is Truth. Our cup is the cross. Our wine the inspiration of Love, the draught our Master drank and commended to his followers." (p. 35)
GOLDEN TEXT: The Trinitarian Benediction (II Cor 13: 14)
TIME LINE: Late 55 AD, or early 56 AD, written by Paul from Philippi to the Corinthians
"The trinitarian benediction reminded the Corinthians of the blessings they had received:
grace from the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. 8,9),
love from God the Father (cf. v.11), and
communion with God and one another through the Holy Spirit (cf. 1:22;5:5)." (MacArthur Commentary)
Holy Ghost
"HOLY GHOST [is the] KJV designation for the Holy Spirit." (Holman Dictionary)
"HOLY SPIRIT [is the] mysterious third Person of the Trinity through whom God acts, reveals His will, empowers individuals, and discloses His personal presence in the Old and New Testament." (Ibid)
Skeele, F. H., “The Baptism of the Holy Ghost,” Christian Science Journal (November 1906), p. 477.
--In the Bible we find that the Holy Ghost is also called the "Spirit of truth" and the Comforter.
• It is part of the mission of Christian Science to restore this broader significance of the "Holy Ghost," and bring into every one's experience the consciousness of this comforting and healing ever-presence as a loving and indispensable companion.
---This consciousness is the Divine Science which Jesus lived and demonstrated, and which unfolded in him the Christ, his divine nature.
• the Science of Christianity, or Christian Science, has come as the Master foretold.
---He said that after his departure the Father would send another Comforter, to abide forever, "even the Spirit of truth."
Smith, Judge Clifford P. (CSB, Asst Sec in Mrs. Eddy's Household, CoP, and Editor), "Doctrine of the Trinity," EDITORIAL, Christian Science Sentinel (25 July 1931), p. 930.
--One of the most curious facts in history is that a majority of all Christians have assented to a doctrine which declares that God consists of three persons called Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
--In her mission as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy did not feel bound by creeds or doctrines, but went directly to the Bible to find primitive Christianity.
• Consequently, she did not adopt the doctrine of the Trinity, but spoke against it.
---"Is the God of theology a finite or an infinite Person?"
---Is He one Person, or three persons?
---Who can conceive either of three persons as one person, or of three infinities?"
• These questions are quoted from her Message to The Mother Church for 1901, page 6.
RESPONSIVE READING: The Communion Cup and Bread (I Cor 10: 1-4, 15-17)
TIME LINE: First half of 55 AD written from Ephesus during Paul's 3rd missionary journey
In verses 1-3 all Israelites who passed through the Red Sea with Moses were "baptized" in it and ate the same spiritual meat, but many never attained the blessings God had for them (in the land of Canaan) in this life.
Moses
[Mō’zez] (Egyp. “extraction, a son”/Heb. “drawn from the water”)
“MOSES. A corporeal mortal; moral courage; a type of moral law and the demonstration thereof; the proof that, without the gospel, — the union of justice and affection, — there is something spiritually lacking, since justice demands penalties under the law.” (S&H 592: 11)
TIME LINE: 1526-1406 BC (some say @1300 BC)
Kings of Egypt: Thutmose 1529-1517
Thutmose II 1517-1504
Thutmose III 1504-1453
Queen Hatshepshut 1504-1483
Amenhotep II 1453-1426
First Passover @1446
Exodus/Wilderness Wanderings @1446
Ten Commandments
Thutmose IV 1426-1416
Amenhotep III 1416-1377
Jacob
Levi
Gershon
Libni
Shimi
Kohath
Amran (father)=Jochebed (mother)
Miriam (sister)
Aaron (brother) =Elisheba (tribe of Judah)
Nadab
Abihu
Eleazar=(daughter of Putiel)
Phinehas
Ithamar
Moses = Zipporah (wife/Jethro’s daughter)
Gershorn (son)
Jonathan
Eliezer (son)
= Tharbis (Ethiopian wife)
Izhar
Hebron
Uzziel
Merari
Mahali
Mushi
Jochebed (Amran’s aunt and wife)
(11 other sons/Dinah)
Moses was the first and preeminent Hebrew leader, who led the people in their exodus out of Egypt to the threshold of the Promised Land; and he was a lawgiver and the archetypical prophet. He is the most majestic figure in the Old Testament. His role was so central that the Pentateuch was called the Five Books of Moses, and the code of religious laws, the Law of Moses. For all his greatness, Moses never loses his humanness, displaying anger, frustration, and lack of self-confidence in addition to his leadership abilities, humility, and perseverance.
FAMILY AND EARLY LIFE
“The story of Moses begins in Egypt.” (Bible Handbook) Moses was born there to Hebrew slave parents in exile during dangerous times, and we come to know him first as an infant when the king of Egypt decreed that all infant males should be killed. Moses was hidden among a river’s edge when Pharaoh’s daughter came to bathe, saw the basket with the baby, and had pity on this baby boy. Miriam, Moses’ sister, was nearby and suggested a Hebrew nurse to suckle the child. When Pharaoh’s daughter agreed, Jochebed, Moses’ mother, was surreptitiously selected to be that nurse. The boy then grew up at the royal court but, through his mother, remained aware of his Hebrew origin.
YOUTH AND YOUNG MANHOOD
Slew an Egyptian. Later, he had to flee Egypt when he killed an Egyptian who was flogging an Israelite slave.
He Flees to Midian [present day Saudi Arabia, just east of the Gulf of Aquba]. He joined a nomadic shepherd, Jethro, and subsequently, married his daughter, Zipporah.
40 YEARS IN MIDIAN
AT THE BURNING BUSH: Called to Leadership
Moving deep into the desert in search of pasture for his father-in-law’s flocks, Moses came to the mountain of Horeb (or Sinai). He turned aside to examine a strange sight: a bush that was burning without being consumed. God’s voice came out of the bush demanding him to halt and remove his shoes as he was on holy ground. Moses was told that he had been chosen to lead his brethren out of their oppression, and bring them to the Promised Land. Moses shrank from this task, saying: “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? (Ex 3:11). Slowly his reaction changed from curiosity to awe as he realized that he was in God’s presence.
MAKES FOUR EXCUSES
Moses was reluctant to accept the task of bringing the Israelites out of Egypt and gave a series of excuses for which God provided retorts. “For each of Moses’ weaknesses, God added a strength.” (Mysteries of the Bible)
Personal Unfitness.
Moses shrank from this task, saying, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh,
and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Ex 3: 11)
Fears Unbelief of the People.
To reassure him the name of the Lord (“Jehovah”) was revealed to Moses
and he was given certain magic signs to impress Pharaoh and the Israelites: turning his staff into a snake, making a hand white with leprosy, and turning water into blood.
Lack of Eloquence.
Still reluctant, Moses pointed out that “I am slow of speech, and of a slow
tongue.” (Ex 4: 10)
Request Some Other Leader Be Sent.
The Lord became impatient with him, and replied that his brother Aaron could be
his spokesman.
THE RETURN TO EGYPT
As an adult, Moses was sent to lead the people out of Egypt, and there is no question that he was a successful leader. He took a mixed multitude and under his guidance they were shaped into a national entity. Moses led the people from encampment to encampment and directed them when conflicts with other nations arose. Like most leaders, he was subjected to complaints and grumbling and even rebellions, and he was called upon to provide solutions to problems and psychological encouragement. Moses served as the link between the Israelites and God; he interceded with God on behalf of the people.
“Soon after his return, Moses stirred the Hebrews to revolt and demanded of Pharaoh, ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness (Ex 5:1).” (Who Was Who in the Bible)
THE TEN PLAGUES SENT
The Passover. Each year Jews commemorate the Exodus in the seven-day spring festival of Passover, as enjoined in Exodus 10. They eat “matzot” (flat cakes of unleavened bread) to recall the haste with which their ancestors departed. At the “Seder” or ceremonial meal, bitter herbs are the symbol of the bondage in Egypt, and a roasted shank-bone represents the paschal lamb eaten that fateful night.
THE EXODUS
"Yahweh leads Israel, not by the expected coastal route, but straight through the desert toward the Reed Sea." (Eerdmans Dictionary) His parting of the Red Sea to bring the people out, his wandering in the wilderness, the handing down of the Ten Commandments, and his continued march to the Promised Land consumed the remainder of his life.
“On the wilderness journey for the Israelites’ benefit….His raised hands ensured victory over the Amalekites (Ex 17:11-12).” (HarperCollins Dictionary)
AT MOUNT SINAI [almost at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula]
“On Mt. Sinai Moses receives God’s moral, civil, and ceremonial laws, as well as the pattern for the tabernacle to be built in the wilderness.” (Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps & Charts) “The cluster of material now attached to the revelation at Mount Sinai is diverse in date, structure, and content. Its literary connections are largely with the Priestly Pentateuchal material, including Exod. 25-31; 35-40; Leviticus; Num. 1-10:28, speaking generally.” (Interpreter’s Dictionary)
The Divine Appearance on the Mount: “There is a strict hierarchy of personnel: Moses at the apex of the Mountain, with Aaron in attendance (the status of the priesthood as a whole is recognized in 19:22…), while the people have to be rigorously excluded at the base of the mountain. The elders interposing as representatives of the people (19:7…) may belong to the same scenario.” (Eerdmans Commentary)
The Decalogue Given: “When the Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai, Moses went up onto the mountain for 40 days (Ex 24:18). The Lord appeared in a terrific storm—‘thunderings and lightenings, and a thick cloud’ (Ex 19:18). Out of this momentous encounter came the covenant between the Lord and Israel, including the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:1-17).” (Who Was Who in the Bible)
The Divine Presence Restored: Moses intercedes, and receives in reply the gracious assurance that God will go with them. Without that assurance he would desire to go no farther but to remain at Sinai, where they already had the evidence of his presence and power. Better the Sinai wilderness with God, than the land flowing with milk and honey without him.
The Tabernacle Set Up: “He received instructions for constructing the tabernacle and its accoutrements.” (Oxford Guide to People & Places)
SINAI TO KADESH-BARNEA [southwestern border of Israel]
Ambition of Aaron and Miriam. “Aaron and Miriam started speaking against Moses, of whom they had become jealous. The Lord was angry at this attack, and Miriam was stricken with leprosy. Moses prayed that she be forgiven, and she recovered after seven days of isolation in the desert outside the camp. Oddly enough Aaron was not punished—perhaps because of his priestly role.” (Who’s Who in the Old Testament)
AT KADESH-BARNEA
The Israelites resumed their journey northward, and came to rest at Kadesh-barnea, a green and well-watered oasis some fifty miles south of Beersheba. They were now nearing the southern rim of Canaan [Israel], but it was for them unknown country.
Spies Report. Moses decided to send into it a scouting party of twelve picked men, one from each tribe to “see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many” (Num 13: 18)—also, whether the inhabitants lived in fortified towns or in tents and whether the soil was fertile.