Editorial June 21, 1947 Issue

Hear and Obey

L. Ivimy Gwalter

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord" (Deut. 6:4). This was Moses' stirring challenge to the children of Israel in an exhortation to obedience. Oftentimes the children of Israel were roused from their lethargy, their ease in matter, their following of other gods, with that challenging "Hear, O Israel." It is interesting to note that the word "obey" is derived from the Latin verb meaning "to hear" and in its archaic sense the word "hear" means to obey. In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy eloquently puts the question (p. 256), "Who is it that demands our obedience?" and she answers, "He who, in the language of Scripture, 'doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?'"

A fundamental lesson of life is obedience. Fortunate, indeed, is he who among his earliest lessons of childhood was taught to listen and obey. Where obedience to God is, harmony reigns. Confusion, doubt, indecision, and unrest are the fruits of disobedience.

Spiritually considered, obedience is not a matter of personal choice. In obedience to the operation of the law of divine Principle the vast symphony of being moves as one stupendous whole, expressing the rhythm of Spirit and the harmony of Soul. Here is not the slightest opportunity for divergence or disobedience, no, not so much as by a hair's breadth, for the divine Mind, or Principle, which is God, is the actor, and creation is the expression of God's omniaction.

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