The Tupelo journal., 1905-10-06
DANIEL IN THE
LIONS DEN
Sunday School Lesson Ter Oct. 8. 1905
Specially Prepared for This Paper.

LESSON TExT.--Daniel s:l0-23 Mem
ory Verses TIA
GOLDEN TExT.-'The angel of the
Lord encampeth round about them that
fear Him. and delivereth them."-Psaim
AT
TIME.-About B. C. 53s. within year or
two Of last Sundays lesson.
PLACE.-Uncertain. but one OF the cap
ttals OF the Persian empire.
SCRIPTURE EREFERENCES.- Promises
to Gods Children In Trouble.-Psa H:3-7.
22-29. 3l-4o: N:l-3; 5o:l5: SAIL: 81 lsa- 40:2s-
q: III: Matt. e:33: 7:ll; lo:29-sf; Prov 3:l-6.
is. II; Rom. s:2s. 81. T-a9; Jas. l:l2; prom
tses to the overcomer: Rev. and 3: Rev.
7:ls-i7.
Those who have trusted God: Abra-
ham tGen 17:i-s): Ehjah Il Kinks chaps IL.
19); Peter (Acts chaps. and i2): Noah
(Gen chaps. 6-S): Joseph (Gen. chaps. 50
and ~; Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-
nego (Dan 81: John (Acts 81; Stephen (Acts
y: Paul (Acts l6:i6-4o; ID; Moses (Ex.
and Heb. II n:2s-2s): David u SAM chaps. II.
"a and 26): Gideon (Judg. chaps. s and D.
Read Heb. IL.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
INTRODUCTORY.-Daniel, the wise
man, after many years OF unrecorded
usefulness or OF retirement to private
life, is now an old man OF 80 or 80 years,
again brought into political prominence
by the same guiding Providence. Three
great cabinet officers were placed over
the 120 provinces, and Of these Daniel
was the chief Though an exile he had
risen to power and prosperity. He had
maintained hfs religion and his in
tegrity. The severe trials to which he
had been subjected not only resulted in
raising him to higher honors and
spheres Of usefulness, but had confirmed
him in his religion. in his integrity and
in his courage. But the higher one
climbs the fiercer the storms, and'Daniel
felt their full force. ~ He was Jew.
o foreigner. exalted over natives, who
wanted the place, on account Of his ma
tive force Of personality and strong
character. What right had he to be
placed over them? Envy was sharper
than q serpent's TOOTH" (2) Daniers
character was perpetual reproof They
were tired Of seeing his good deeds and
hearing his praise; as the Athenian
vOICu kOk tu0 0COndChhoItOn Va <AiioetoCS
the Just, simply because he was weary
OF hearing him called the Just. (3) He
stood in the way Of their dishonest
gains. Such officers in those times al
most always made their position q
means Of wealth.
v. 10. Nov" better And" ''even."
when Daniel knew that the writ
Ing was signed" inscribed. made
permanent as an official document.
Daniel knew that he was walking amid
many a pitfall. many a snare" And
his windows being open In his cham
ber:" etc. More clearly and more ex-
actly now he had in his roof-chamber
open windows fronting Jerusalem. The
clause is parenthetical, and describes
the constant and habitual arrangement
of Daniels windows.-Prof. Driver.
"Kneeled upon his knees" A fitting at
titude for humble prayer. favoring the
spirit of devotion. Three times day"
Like che psalmist (Psa. 55:1D.
VII. Then these mem" The princes
who had planned the plot. assembled"
to know the facts personally, and make
the proof complete.
". IL. "The law of the Medes and
Persians which altereth not:" In this
two principles are involved: One. the
existence of a settled law or rule by
which the king himself. theoretically at
any rate. is bound, and which he cannot
alter; the other, the inclusion. under
this law or rule. OF the irrevocability OF
! royal decree. or promise.
v. a. 'The king was sore
displeased Iabored till the go
ing down Of the sun to deliver him."
But he failed on account of the unalter-
able law.
v. 1s. They brought Daniel. and cast
him into the den Of lions" This was ac-
cording to oriental custom on the even
ing of the same day. The story of the
den of lions Is strictly in keeping with
usages. Thy God
He will deliver thee" The king knew
so much OF what God had done for Dam
el in the past, that he encouraged him.
self and Daniel by the hope of deliver
ance.
v. II. "Stone laid upon the
mouth Of the dem" The mouth was the
door through which the animals we're !.
put into the den. Sealed 1t with his
own sisnet:" III the access tothe lions
len was arranged like that Of sepul-
her, a bar would be fixed across the
front of the stone. fastened to either
side OF the doorway BY thongs, the knot
ing OF which was sealed with wax
stamped with a signet. ."-Tristram.
And with the signet OF his lords" So
hat neither party could tamper with It
v. 19. The king arose very early"
Literally In the dawn, In the first glim-
nering OF light.
v. 20. "Cried with q lamentable
roice:" Full Of grief and anxiety.
v. 22. my God hath sent His angel:"
As ono like the Son Of God was in the
iery furnace with the three whom
had cast into the
lanes.
%. And no manner of hurt was found
,pon him. because he believed" chad
rusted) Sin his God:" God never fails
hose who trust In Him.
Two Ways Of Deliverance.
1. There 10 sometimes immediate re-
LET from persecution and death. as in
he case OF Daniel. and the three men in
he flery furnace, and Peter In prison in
and Paul and Silas in Phil
ppi.
2. On the other hand. equally good
men were not delivered In that way
j long list Of prophets, many OF the
apostles. John the Baptist. James. Ste
hen. and even Christ Himself. We're