What's your mother's name?

It was probably the first time that I read the Bible through that I noticed that it seemed to be important to mention a king’s mother’s name.

Example: II Chronicles 13:2 - Abijah became the new king of Judah in Jerusalem in the eighteenth year of the reign of King Jeroboam of Israel. He lasted three years. His mother’s name was Micaiah (daughter of Uriel of Gibeah).

Why? I asked.

So, I checked in Concord, the Christian Science study site with which we can find any word in the Bible and Mrs. Eddy’s writings and the Christian Science Hymnal. There are 30 entries under mother’s name; nearly all of them are in Kings and Chronicles.

Next, I checked in JSH Online. There is nothing in the Christian Science periodicals under “mother’s name”. So, I am left to reason on my own – with God.

Name means character, nature or quality of being.

I love the chapter Glossary in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. It is so helpful. Here is Mary Baker Eddy’s introduction to it.

In Christian Science we learn that the substitution of the spiritual for the material definition of a Scriptural word often elucidates the meaning of the inspired writer. On this account this chapter is added. It contains the metaphysical interpretation of Bible terms, giving their spiritual sense, which is also their original meaning. (p. 579:1)

There are many names listed. Many of them give examples of the character of the person.

For example:

ABEL. Watchfulness; self-offering; surrender to the creator the early fruits of experience. (ibid p. 579:8)

Sometimes Mrs. Eddy gives the opposite as well the spiritual, as in

ROCK. Spiritual foundation; Truth. Coldness and stubbornness. (ibid p. 593:18)

A few of Jacob’s sons are listed: Asher (a good report)(ibid p. 581:15); Benjamin (a physical report followed by one of renewal and improvement)(ibid p. 582:4); Dan (a negative report)(ibid p. 583:26); Gad (a good report)(ibid 585: 21); Levi (a negative report)(ibid p. 590:11).

Jacob’s entry just about gives us his history:

JACOB. A corporeal mortal embracing duplicity, repentance, sensualism. Inspiration; the revelation of Science in which the so-called material senses yield to the spiritual sense of Life and Love. (ibid p. 589:4-5)

Bible Dictionaries sometimes give a label to a person. For example, in one dictionary, Jacob’s entry gives “heel grabber” or “supplanter.” And Abraham’s: Father of a multitude.

I have given the definition of Abel, now here is one of Cain his brother, from the chapter Genesis in Science and Health:

Cain is a type of mortal and material man, conceived in sin and “shapen in iniquity;” he is not the type of Truth and Love. (ibid p. 540:28-30)

In thinking on this ‘type’ angle, it seems to me that all mortals (yes, you and I included) may at times exhibit the types we read about.

Now, another example of name.

Hallowed be Thy name.
Adorable One.
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 16:28

I am sure many a First Reader has puzzled over how to say those words and understand their spiritual significance in the spiritual interpretation of The Lord’s Prayer.

Now, let us consider a phrase spoken by Jesus:

...ask in my name (John 14:13)

John is the one who shares our Master’s words in this regard. Here is the context:

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:13,14)

This a strong theme in chapters 14, 15, and 16 of John.

Another example:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. (John 16:23)

There is also the Commandment:

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. (Exodus 20: 7)

Perhaps that is where all this reasoning has sprung from!

Can it be that in asking help of the Father/Mother God we are to acknowledge that we have the name/nature of God, and ask from that infinitely close relationship?

But, back to those mothers’ names which were so prominent in the stories of the kings of Judah.

While the line of descent on the male side continued from one generation to another, there was always the female side to be considered, if we were to accept that the qualities of the parents were passed on to the child, whereas we learn in Christian Science that all good qualities (and there are no other) come directly from God and are embodied in the synonyms for God given in Science and Health – Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love. (See p. 465:8-10).

This has given me much to think on.

Joyce Voysey