Article January 31, 1976 Issue

"Give her of the fruit of her hands"

DORRISENE FOREMAN

The history of Christianity shows that those who have understood themselves to be chosen of God for a special mission—those conscious of living and fulfilling God's purpose—have often been misunderstood and not believed. Mrs. Eddy was no exception.

When Moses was to go into Egypt and lead the children of Israel out of bondage, he despaired of making them believe that he had been sent by God. In Exodus we read, "And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee."^{Ex. 4:1;} Being obedient, Moses was able to lead his people out of Egypt, and the Red Sea parted. Even after further clear proof of divine guidance and protection, in which quail covered the ground and water flowed from the rocks, they turned back more than once to their false idols and threatened to stone Moses; they began to doubt that God was guiding him each step of the way.

The prerequisites that God requires for leadership are not always in accord with human standards. When Samuel was sent to Jesse to choose a king from among his sons to reign over Israel, all those who were felt to be qualified were called in. But, as Samuel expressed it, God had not chosen them. After further inquiry the youngest son, who was tending the sheep, was sent for. When he arrived, Samuel received God's message: "Arise, anoint him: for this is he."^{I Sam. 16:12;} This was David, who was probably not felt by those around him to be qualified for kingship. However, the qualities needed for leadership—humility, meekness, courage, and steadfast reliance on God—were already being expressed by him, and he had already had proofs of God's guidance.