Referring to the order in which the divine creation is unfolded in the first chapter of Genesis, Mary Baker Eddy writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: “The Mind or intelligence of production names the female gender last in the ascending order of creation. The intelligent individual idea, be it male or female, rising from the lesser to the greater, unfolds the infinitude of Love” (p. 508). She also explains in Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, “In its genesis, the Science of creation is stated in mathematical order, beginning with the lowest form and ascending the scale of being up to man” (p. 57).
It’s so comforting to realize, when pondering the question of lesser and greater ideas in the ascending order of creation, that, as numbers rise from the least to the greatest, this ascension of numbers doesn’t indicate inferior and superior numbers!
In the same way, all ideas dwelling in, and under the government of, divine Principle rise from the least to the greatest, but the least idea isn’t less eternal, less protected, less loved and cherished, than the greatest idea. Jesus declared, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” (Luke 12:6). A sparrow is one of Love’s lesser ideas—but not a less loved idea!
