Bible Study from April 17th, 2021

God is a Merciful God

This week’s Lesson Sermon Subject: Doctrine of Atonement

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Bible Study Questions and Readings

God pities our woes with the love of a Father for His child, — not by becoming human, and knowing sin, or naught, but by removing our knowledge of what is not. He could not destroy our woes totally if He possessed any knowledge of them. His sympathy is divine, not human. It is Truth’s knowledge of its own infinitude which forbids the genuine existence of even a claim to error. This knowledge is light wherein there is no darkness, — not light holding darkness within itself. The consciousness of light is like the eternal law of God, revealing Him and nothing else.

— from No and Yes, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 30

Bible Readings: Hosea 1, 3, 4, 6, 14; Matthew 9:2, 13

Questions:Shahidat from MD

What is the definition of mercy?
Why did Jesus tell the palsied man that his sins were forgiven before bidding him to arise and walk? (Mathew 9:2)
What does it mean “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”(Mathew 9:13; also see Hosea 6:6)
What was the state of Israel during the prophet Hosea’s time and how did this parallel his own life?
What is God’s promise to Israel in Hosea chapter 14?

Notes from the Discussion

Hosea 14:3. Asshur shall not save us — We will not rely on Assyria for protection and help. The Israelites frequently sought the alliance of the Assyrians, and are often reproved by the prophets for so doing. We will not ride upon horses — We will not implore the help of Egypt, as we did formerly, nor depend on horses brought thence, or on any of our military preparations. It was chiefly on account of their cavalry that the Jews and Israelites courted the help of Egypt, having no cavalry of their own. This is the first part of the people’s repentance. It consists in their renouncing all dependance on foreign alliances, and on every arm of flesh. The second is, their renouncing every species of idolatry and image-worship, expressed in the next clause, Neither will we say, &c., to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods.

— From Benson Commentary

The very abruptness of its introduction, without any explanation as to the speaker, suggests how swiftly and joyfully the Father hastens to meet the returning prodigal while he is yet afar off. Like pent up waters rushing forth as soon as a barrier is taken away, God’s love pours itself out immediately. His answer ever gives more than the penitent asks-robe and ring and shoes, and a feast to him who dared not expect more than a place among the hired servants. He gives not by drops, but in floods, answering the prayer for the taking away of iniquity by the promise to heal backsliding, going beyond desires and hopes in the gift of love which asks for no recompense, is drawn forth by no desert, but wells up from the depths of God’s heart, and strengthens the new, tremulous trust of the penitent by the assurance that every trace of anger is effaced from God’s heart.

— “God’s Welcoming Answer” from MacLaren’s Expositions

Article — “Forgiveness” from The Christian Science Journal, September 1894 by Isabella Lamont

Article — “Pond and Purpose” from Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy

Hate no one; for hatred is a plague-spot that spreads its virus and kills at last. If indulged, it masters us; brings suffering upon suffering to its possessor, throughout time and beyond the grave.

— from “Love Your Enemies” Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, page 12

Book — Christian Science, Its Clear, Correct Teaching Herbert Eustace

Article — “The Problem of the Hickory Tree” from The Christian Science Journal, March 1911 by Louise Knight Wheatley

Article — “Body” from Congressional Library in Washington, D. C., January 19th, 1886, Attributed to Mary Baker G. Eddy

Resentment is like swallowing poison and expecting the other person to die.

— Author Unknown

Article — “Overcoming by Obedience” from Addresses by Martha Wilcox

Hosea 6:6 – Mercy – Sacrifice apart from faithfulness to the Lord’s will is wholly unacceptable.

— From The New International Version Bible, page 1350