The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-06-01

INTRODUCTORY.
Here is lesson for the individual be-
lever. These four lessons from Daniel
have curious and interesting relation
with the first four Psalms. Like Psalm
1, the first lesson out of Daniel speaks
of the blessedness OF simple loyalty to
God and to his word. The second les
son, like the second Psalm, has refer
ence to the triumphant kingdom of the
Son. This third lesson, in its turn, fol-
lowing the analogy of the third Psalm,
makes it's appeal in behalf Of a personal
faith. Next week we shall be consid-
er.ng the truth that is found alike in the
fourth Psalm and in the narrative OF
Daniel and the den OF lions, the place
and value of humble, fervent prayer
No one can study these discriminating
selections from Gods word without hav-
ing his soul refreshed and strengthened
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
Nebuchadnezzar. The king has soon
and quite readily forgotten the events OF
chapter two, probably occurring several
years prior to the incidents Of the chap
ter before us.-His rage and fury
More accurately, in rage and fury.
Is it true? Better: Is it with design or
with deliberate purpose? AS with Daniel
who "purposed in his heart that he would
not defile himself with the portion of the
kings meat, Dan: l: S.-Worship, l.
O., pay alteration. Same word used of
che king and Daniel at 2: AS.
Ready. Or prepared. The root of the
word seems to be time.-Deliver The
word is, curiously enough, shazav, a
seemingly foreign corruption of yazav.
1t occurs several times in this chapter.
Not careful to answer. More literally.
10 need to answer. Douay: No Occa-
sion to answer, /. o., to apologize or
justify their conduct before the king.
The word answer originally meant to
return or send back.
Our God. The our is emphatic, COM
ing last in the Whom we
serve. See Paul on the Mediterranean,
Acts 81: 23.-Able. Or, has it in his
power. The root Of the word is to con-
tain, to have capacity.
Fell down. Or simply, fell.
Emphatic. Stands last in the Hebrew
sentence.
Astonied. Akin to the word gaze,
hence, wonder-struck. - Rose up,
spake, said. The language of nervous
excitement. The Douay precedes this
verse with long interpolation of prayer,
put into the lips of the Hebrew children,
belly.
Loose. In contrast with bound, in the
preceding verse; unbound is the literal
meaning. - Walking, /. e., moving
about in the fire. The word is applied
to ones accustomed going and coming
The Son OF God, or rather, Son of
God, referring probably to the glorious
ness OF his appearance.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
Who is that God that will deliver you
out of my hands? There was contempt
in the query. 1t was not simply igno-
rance but derision of the God Of the
Hebrews. We see here again the hea-
then raging and the kings of the earth
setting themselves, the rulers taking
counsel against the Lord and his anoint-
ed, saying let us break their bands
asunder, and cast away their cords from
us. And how does God answer this de-
fiance of his power and dominion? By
q sublime and lofty scorn that, being
well founded, puts mans poor haughti-
ness to the blush. He that stitch in
the heavens shall laugh" Even so the
Christian is to view the worlds derid-
ing. III his inmost soul he may laugh
at it. This is the real import of that
passage from Romans: IF God be for
us, who is he that is against us?" /. O.,
what cares the God attended man for
any one that may come against him?
God is with him!
We are not careful to answer thee in
this matter. Our answer is 10 God, not
to man. SO spoke the disciples, when
threatened. And now, Lord, behold
their threatenings," they say, land
grant unto thy servants, that with all
boldness they may speak thy word. !"
They were not as careful regarding their
response to insolent man as TO the ON
nipotent and holy God. This indeed
was the attitude Of the Christ, who
when he was reviled, reviled not again;
when he suffered, he threatened not;
but committed himself to him that
judgeth righteously." There is alto
gether too great anxiety among Chris
tian men to-day as to how they shall
justify themselves before the world, too
little concern for the vindication and
acceptance of God himself. Let us
make our appeal TO God. Be more care
full 10 answer the Most High than to
answer the creature. The answer TO
God, indeed, is the effectual answer to
this world.
Lo, see four men loose. There is
always one man more than the world
counts on. The Son Of man is never
included in carnal computations; he is
forgotten in the accounts of men. But
he Is here, and in the ultimate reckon
ing men will see it, The world beholds
1t to-day indeed where faith is fully
present and trust is strong. Says the
Psalmist, Il will not be afraid of ten
thousand OF people that have set them
selves against me round about. That
would be rashness and effrontery, were
it spoken by man standing by himself
and unaided. 1t Is two that shall put
ten thousand to flight, but where is the
other man? Arise, o Lord, save me,
o my God" And now we see the other,
the One indeed; and all is well. Re-
member this, Christian, faiths reckon
ing always counts one more than the
world describes. One who is mighty to
save.
Next lesson-"The Den OF Lions
Dan. g: 1928.