Each Lesson-Sermon published in the Christian Science Quarterly—Bible Lessons is designed to be complete in itself. Its Bible references (King James Version) are corroborated and explained by passages from the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. These notes and commentary are offered by The Christian Science Journal as indications of the possibilities for individual research.
If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him (Gen. 4:7)
The Hebrew original is obscure. To reconcile grammatical difficulties, some scholars read "sin is a croucher-at-the-door." In this reading, the latter phrase refers to a kind of demonic spirit commonly thought by some ancient peoples to lurk near doorways. The last half of the verse then implies a contest for dominion between man and this demiurge, which desires to have control, but is destined to be subjugated.
