The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-07-12
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON coMMENTs)
FOR JULY Is.

Subject: The Hebrews in tho Fiery Fur-t
mace, Daniel ILL.,, 14-28-Golden Text:
"Our God Whom We Servo is Able to
Deliver o." Dsuiel ILL.,, 17-Comments
Commentary. Connecting Links. /
"About the middle Of his reign, when No |
buchadnezzar had completed his wonder-
full conquest OF nearly all the known world.
he erected lofty statue near the city Of
Babylon In the plain Of Dura. The image
was about ninety feet high and nine feet
broad, and was an idol Of Bel-Merodach,
the chief divinity OF the Bnbylonians. Ne;
buchadnezzar was then In the height Of
his glory. The inauguration ceremonies!
Of this huge idol were on scale magnif-i
cent even for Babylon. It was proclaimed
that all should PROSTATE themselves when
the outburst oftriumphal music announced
the proper moment. A refusal to do SO
was threatened with the terrible punish
ment OF being burned to death in fiery
furnace. The object Of this image and
these ceremo onles was to worship and honor
the gods who Nebuchadnezzar supposed
had given him marvellous success. It was
also to centralize and consolidate his en-
pire, which was made up OF many nation
alities and religions"
IA. "Is it true" Do you really mean to
do SOP The king respected these princes
aud secretly desired a way Of escape for
young Hebrews were rulers in the province
Of Babylon. When others had bowed down
in worship before the golden image. these
three stood up, with their unbowad forms
and their splendid robes Of Office. This
was quickly reported by certain Chal-
9eaEs.
is. "who Is that God that shall deliver
gou?" Not exactly direct blasphemy Of
the God of the Jews, but still challenge
addressed to Him In presumptuous
spirit and with naughty sense ofsuperior
power.
16 Answered to the king" They
aeither reviled the monarch nor bis gods.
They u5ed no approached words, nor did,
they complain of his injustice or severity.
They calmly looked at their own duty and
resolved to do 1t, leaving the consequences
with the God whom they worshiged. I'VE
are not careful" Anxious or soficitous.:
unrevoked, and you seek to cask US into
fiery furnace. "Our God whom We serve"
Only those who serve God can claim His
protection and His promises. "Is able to-
deliver u.s." BE is stronger than the idol
god OF Babylon-stronger than the great
king; for He is the Creator, Preserver and
Governor OF the universe. In tho most ex-
treme event they prefer death to idolatry:
"He will deliver Us out Of thine hand" II
the worst come, and the fire does burn, We
shall be free men-free from guilt, FREQ
from condemnation, free from further per-
secution-eternally free.
1S. "But II not" This shows that they
had no knowledge Of what God would do
for them-only their faith in Jehovah, who
was sure to stand by the right.
19. "His visags was changed" Their re-
It showed will..stronger than his own, q
power Of principle which he was unable to
subdue. "Heat the furnace" The in
creased heat and the proportiena&e fury Of
the flame typifed increased homage to the
"god Of fire., whose majesty was impugned
BY the rebellious contempt Of the "thres
children" The fury Of the king defeated
itself. The hotter the fire, the less painful
the death. Seven is the perfect number; It
heated to q perfect white heat, SO that the
perfect God may show forth His. perfect
power to deliver His perfect followers.
81. "Were cast into the midst" Through
the opening In the top, while they were
seen by the king through the door on tho
side, and through this also they came forth.
"a. "The king was astonished." Aston
ished as he sat watching results. Aston
ished that the three men were not con-
sumed; that a fourth was with them. The
thought flashes upon him that he has come
luCO CONFLICT Will d uoH nno oohno"n
Power. "Rose up" Stood aghast.
"Counselors." Highest officers OF gov
ernment. who were in immediate atten-
dance upon the king. Officers who after
ward conducted the affairs OF the govern
ment during Nebuchadne3zar's madness.
Dan. w., %. "Did we not cast three men
bound7" The emphasis is on the words
"three" and "bound."
25. "Four men loose" The Babylonians
were accustomed to bind their captiyes
and prisoners with chains, and only Q
miracle could burn the chains while the
men were unharmed. "walking." As II
In the midst Of green pastures or on the
margin OF still waters. "Like the Son Of
God" A son OF the gods. Nebuchadnez-
zar afterward refers to the appearance as
an angel. V.23. he had no conception
of the Son of God as He has been revealed
to US.
26. "Servants OF the most high God"
The king thus designates the national God
ofthe Jews from his heather standpoint
because he has just received an overpower-
ing impression Of His greatness and there
fore regards Him as mightier than all his
Babylonian dlvinlties.
27, "Princes. saw" That the hre has
possessed no power over their bodies. The
miracle became q witness for Jehovah to
all the vast nation.
2s. "Blessed be the God" Though tho
heather king Is convinced OF the power
and greatness Of the God Of the Jews, It
will be observed that the proclamation put
forth Is only a decree OF punishment
against those who SANDER or defame or be-
little Him. It does not declare Him God
alone and the other gods nero idols.