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Editor”s Note: The following background information and application ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson for this week are offered primarily to help CedarS campers and staff see and demonstrate the great value of daily study of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp. If more information or the text of this Lesson is desired, please see the Director”s Note at the end. The citations referenced in the “met” (metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. The Bible and Science and Health are the ordained pastor of the Churches of Christ, Scientist. The Bible Lesson is the sermon read in Christian Science church services throughout the world.

Learn from Moses: There’s nothing you can’t do — at God’s directing!
Application Ideas for “God the Preserver of Man” (Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson for 12/5 -12/11, 2005
by Corde Hanzlik, C.S. (Austin, Texas)

This week’s Lesson hero-example is Moses. He demonstrates obedience to God through his own meekness and reluctance, to overcome opposition to all obstacles. He proves that God is always caring for us. The Golden Text would remind us too, that God blesses us in that same preservation.

The Responsive Reading is the ‘Cliff Notes’ of the Lesson. We have a historical outline of our ancestors’ landmark challenges, guideposts and demonstrations. First, the covenant with Abraham (verse 7). Second, affliction and the Red Sea (verse 9). Third, the pillars (verse 12). Out of order for the Lesson, fourth, the commandments (verse 13). Really the fourth section, fifth, supply (verse 20). Surely, as we learn from their lessons, there is nothing that we cannot do at God’s directing. The last three words are important to realize – at God’s directing.

Section 1: In Moses’ beginning (his beginning meek)
As a reminder in the first marker, God tells us through Jeremiah the promise of His care. (B1) It is interesting how the non-Hebrew kings/pharaohs forget about God’s power and authority. So, here’s a new guy on the block that doesn’t know. He is afraid of the children of Israel for what will prove to be the wrong reason. He thinks that power comes with the number of people, not the power of God. So, in his fear, he makes an edict that will come back to ‘plague’ him. The story of baby Moses is quite a tender story of a mother’s devotion to her baby, but it has to be of greater promise than that or there would have been lots of babies rescued floating down the river. (Actually, the way of killing the male babies of the Israelites was to throw them into the river. EX 1:22) It is probably of great significance that Moses was of Levite descent. Levites were the protectorates of Hebrew law and priesthood. Moses’ mother saw more for her son on an intuitive level. She’s not as dramatic as Mary and Jesus, but she knew of something to come. She built a protective boat of bulrushes for her son. (Who else do we know to use pitch within and without to make his floating refuge at God’s direction?) That pharaoh’s daughter saved Moses is greater proof of God’s preservation. There was Moses, right under pharaoh’s nose, being fed by his own mother for a while, cared for and educated as his real son. We don’t know from the story who really gave Moses his name, but it would indicate that pharaohs’ daughter named him. (You might want to look up Moses in the Glossary S&H 592)God’s ark for Moses is our ark too, as Mrs. Eddy defines ark. (S&H 1) We are preserved by the greatest power and presence – the all presence and power. (S&H 2&3) Christian Scientists know that God doesn’t know or send evil to His children. (S&H 4&5) If Moses’ mother had accepted a human law, a material basis, she would have had no hope and let Moses go, but she trusted God’s deliverance. (S&H 6)

Section 2: Moses’ mission (Go to the Bible and read the parts of the story that are not in the Lesson. Rent the movie, “The Ten Commandments”. Ancient, but good, it is a story of epic proportions.)
Moses has grown up. He now knows God as the “I AM” and God’s covenant (promise) as stated in verse 7 of Bible marker 6. (Here again extra reading, you might want to read the Bible story as to why the Hebrews took the long route to the Promised Land instead of the short route.)The children of Israel begin their big adventure – following the cloud and fire pillars. Are we as focused on the pillars as Moses was? We should still see them, right? Psalms 16 (B 8) “Thou wilt shew me the path of life”.

Ahhhh, the condition – wait patiently. We don’t always follow that part. Perhaps the “wait” requires more service to God, as in serve God, rather than sit back and do nothing while expecting something from Him. He is always giving. Do we realize that? The angels are guarding and guiding. (S&H 8) What are some key words in this section? Path, footsteps, step-by-step, straight and narrow way, follows the leadings. Note that all of these concepts do not require going anywhere physically. It is mental acknowledgment and awakening that counts.

Section 3: Oh no! Here comes pharaoh!
How many pharaoh-like enemies try to scare us? There seem to be many disguises. Fear is often the source of our bondage. (Could we spell fear with a ph?)Pharaoh regretted letting Moses go. He lost all of his slave labor. He had already forgotten the anguish he suffered by persecuting the children of Israel. His pride got the better of him. Off he went to stop Moses and company. This would be a major test for the children of Israel, terrified to see pharaoh’s army coming after them. They weren’t completely sure about Moses and his God yet. They were as terrified to see the Red Sea part too, no doubt. It isn’t an every day occurrence. It took great courage for them to walk across the dry riverbed. It is much more dramatic to think of the Hollywood style, than the swampy Red Sea as historians describe. That Moses actually told them to “Stand still, …” must have been crazy to them. (B 10:13) Their victory is an amazing triumph to sing about. (B11)

How great is the power of God or as Mrs. Eddy says, “divine Love!” (S&H 12) S&H 13 is a very strong reminder for us to be aware of the law of the divine Mind. We are not slaves to ‘bondage and human suffering,” but we are mentally, then physically, free! What was the real freedom from? Human fear (phear)! We are guided through our various wilderness experiences (look up wilderness in the Glossary) “the desert of human hopes” = “right desires”. Our real passage is from “sense to Soul.” Note that Science is the pillars. (S&H 14) (Maybe some of you will be inspired to read the full story of Ivanhoe after reading the short clip.) The trip doesn’t require actually going anywhere does it? No. It requires giving up a material sense of life for a spiritual sense. That is at God’s imparting. (S&H 15)

Section 4: How dare the children of Israel murmur!
After the children of Israel risked life and limb to have a better life, cross the Red Sea, followed two amazing sights – the pillars of fire and cloud, they doubted the power of God to feed them! But, calmly God speaks through Moses that He will care for them by providing water, flesh (quail) and bread (manna) to eat. (B 12) They get what they need as promised. (Read the water, manna and quail stories in Exodus. See what lessons the children and Moses had to learn.)

God controls everything in His universe (S&H 16) in most unusual ways (S&H 17). You might want to look up Mrs. Eddy’s definition of “Miracle” in the Glossary. It would explain much of this section. Primal order is God and His Principle where there is no matter. Thank you, Divine Love, for always meeting our needs. (S&H 20)

Section 5: Our turn! (Claim this section as God speaking directly to you.)There is nothing that God doesn’t provide for us, now, as He did for the children of Israel. As suggested earlier, what are we in bondage to? What are our imagined limitations? God has already got it covered, done. (B 15,16,17) We are free! The new covenant is alive and well with us. Our job? Be His children! The sweet authority in marker 18, ” For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” is ours. It is settled, not will be. When? How long? For ever! We love the law! “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (B 15) 

Let’s lean! (S&H 21) We can also be lean – as in cut out the fat of erroneous suggestions that would try to suggest limits and materiality. S&H 22 is a good citation to memorize. Mrs. Eddy’s explanation of the First Commandment is powerful. Look what God, good does for us – unifies, constitutes, ends, annihilates, annuls, leaves – destroying everything that is false, restrictive and limiting by establishing all good. Those are all present active verbs. Study how they apply. Thank heavens for S&H 24! “In divine Science, God and the real man (that’s us) are inseparable as divine Principle and idea.” The Father-Mother is expressed by each one of us.

Section 6: Jesus follows Moses lead
It would sound like Moses knew of Jesus’ coming. (B19) As a prophet, he more than likely did. Jesus had a defined mission to fulfill – fulfill the law of God for all to understand and use. (B21, 22, 23) Jesus gave us the laws for the new covenant in the Beatitudes – blessed are we! What pharaoh-like bondage held the leper to his suffering? The claim of dualism, that there are two men, good and evil, to suffer and not to suffer. Phear! Leprosy was one of the most offensive diseases of the time. Lepers were outcast from regular society because of sin committed in their lives or before birth, to live in terrible conditions. In order to be purified, they had to be absolved of their sins by the priests. The leprous man had recognized the ‘special’ Christ power that others had not seen or accepted. Jesus gave him the instructions that he did in order to make the man’s healing acceptable to others. Jesus and the man knew full well what the real healing was. (B20)

With the proof of Jesus, the real law, God’s Law or the law of Christ, is established. (S&H 26, 27) No more false, penalty ordered sense of law. What slavery did Mrs. Eddy see? She recaps the whole Moses story. (S&H 28) The biblical “Stand ye still” would be the same as “hold your ground with the unshaken understanding of Truth and Love, and you will win.” (S&H 29) We are “the offspring of Spirit” not of pharaoh dualism. (S&H 30) No phear!!! God, the Father, Life rules!!!

Camp Director”s Note: The above sharing is the latest in a long series of CedarS Bible Lesson “mets” (metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. This document is intended to initiate further study as well as to encourage the application of ideas found in the Weekly Bible Lessons as printed in the Christian Science Quarterly and as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms.* Originally sent JUST to campers, staff and CedarS families who wanted to continue at home and in their home Sunday Schools the same type of focused Lesson study and inspiration they had felt at camp, CedarS lesson “mets” are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way a substitute for daily study of the lesson in the books. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension, background and daily applicability to some of the ideas and passages being studied. The Lesson-Sermon speaks individually through the Christ to everyone, providing unique insights and tailor-made applications for each one. We are glad you requested this metaphysical sharing and hope that you find some of these ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor.)
Enjoy!

Warren Huff, Director       director@cedarscamps.orgThe CedarS Camps Office
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(636) 394-6162

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