In the Christian Science Bible Lesson June 27, 2011 Issue

‘Let us exalt his name together’

For the lesson titled "God" from June 27-July 3, 2011

Michael Hamilton

The number seven signifies completeness in the Bible, and the author of the book of Revelation used it to emphasize important ideas. He describes Christ as “he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars” (Rev. 3:1, citation 21). Later, when he sees in a vision a throne “set in heaven, and one sat on the throne[,] . . . there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God” (Rev. 4:2, 5, cit. 4). This seven-fold vision is at the heart of this Bible Lesson, titled “God.”

Moses discovers God’s comprehensive nature in the theophany (manifestation of God) at the burning bush. Here is no distant deity, but a deliverer: “I am come down to deliver them” (Ex. 3:8). This encounter, which makes up most of the Responsive Reading, is preceded by the Golden Text from Psalms: “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (34:3). The Hebrew word translated as “magnify” also means “to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, do great things.” The New Living Translation renders this verse, “Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.”

The nine sections of this Lesson “tell of the Lord’s greatness.” Science and Health expands our vision with questions and answers:

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