In the Christian Science Bible Lesson December 5, 2011 Issue

Stand up for what's right

For the lesson titled "God the Preserver of Man" from December 5-11, 2011

Kathleen Collins

This week’s Bible Lesson, titled “God the Preserver of Man,” assures us of God’s enduring love and protection, while urging us to grapple with the difficult issues of bigotry and persecution. The world is in such need of our prayers on these topics—millions of people are confronted with the evils of discrimination, bullying, and hatred, from refugees to the kid down the street to our own selves. Do we sometimes wonder, “Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?” We have our answer in the promise, “The Lord is my defense” (Ps. 94:16, 22, Responsive Reading).

The Lesson features excerpts from the story of Esther, illustrating the power of truth over error and good over evil to keep us safe. The book of Esther is a well-crafted drama, most likely written in the fourth century bc to encourage Jews living outside their homeland to hold fast to their identity in the face of religious and ethnic persecution.

A young Jewish woman, raised by her cousin Mordecai, rose to become Queen Esther of Persia. Trouble began when Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, a newly appointed court official. Incensed by this snub, Haman determined to destroy the kingdom’s entire Jewish population! (The date to carry out this destruction was chosen by lots, giving origin to the Jewish holiday, Purim, the Hebrew word for lots.)