The Holt County sentinel. (Oregon, Mo.) 1883-1980, 1911-09-01
OA eonPA 1SS s's

Lesson TExT:-Daniel i;s-N.

eat flesh. nor drink wine. nor anything
whereby thy brother stumbleth. "--Rom.
1921.
TiME.-B. c. eos-A The third year OF
King Jehoiskin (tesson Wiz. The aces
sion year OF buchadnexsar. when Dan
lei was carried captive to Babylon. The
next year IL called his frst year.
PERIOD.-Three years, II. G. SG-<-6oS-3
on Nebuchadnessar's return to Babylon
after defeating the armies Of Egypt.
PLACE.-Babyion on the Euphrates BE.
fore his captivity Daniel lived In Jerusa.
lem.
PLACE IN THE HisToRY.-2 Kinss
N:1-6: 2 Chron. $685.
PROPHETe. jeremiah and Habakkuk
were propheeyine At Jerusalem when Dan.
isi was carried away. and Esekiet was I'M
contempoisry In Babylonia. but not in
the city Of Babylon. He was on the river
Chebsr. southeast Of the city.
At the time OF this lesson the two
great world powers were In deadly
confict. The Egyptian army under
Necho had marched toward Babylon
rs far as Carchemish on the Euphra.
tee.
On the other hand Nabopolassar
with the assistance OF the Scythians
had conquered the Assyrians. and de.
stroyed Nineveh, the capital, n. c. SOC
The Babylonians marched up the Flu.
pirates and met the Egyptian army
at Carchemish. and defeated them
Nabopolassar. king Of Babylon, sent
his son Nebuchadnezzar on to Jerusa.
lem. who besieged that city. Jeremiah
speaks OF the seige a. In Coz. Jehoia.
kims fourth year. probably 10 the
early past. no that a difference In the
period covered by the Pabylonian and
the Jewish years would account for
the variation. The last part Of sos
10 treated a. Nebuchadnexxar's acces.
sion year. and 6O4 his nrst year o.
king.
At this time Nabopolassar died and
Nebuchadnexzar hasted back 10 Baby.
Ion. taking with him q number Of cap.
tivss including Daniel and bis three
companions, from royal or prineely
families. either ~ hostages or persons
whom he could train for his on,cial
service.
The names Of the four young princes
we're all compounded with the name
OF God. Daniel-God 10 my Judge.
Hananiah--Jehovah 10 gracious:
Mishael-This Is as God: Asariah--
Jehovah IL . helper. Their new names
were compounded with those Of royal.
~ or Of idols. Daniel was named Bel.
teshaxzar. favored Of Bel or Belts,
the great Babylonisn god and goddess.
The custom of changing names con.
tinues up TO this day: any change
from Mohammedan to Christian. or
the reverse. being ompaning by Q
change Of name. These four were
selected from among the captives on
account Of their noble descent. talent
and promise Of ability. TO be trained
IN the language and literature OF the
Chaldeans, to be trusted Oficers.
When these young men were select.
I'd for their future career. several
things were appointed for their train.
ing, like the training OF young men
now In professional schools, after col.
eye graduation. Their names were
changed. AZ noted above. 70 that, at
least ofiicially. they would be In har
mony with the administration,
and not known distinctiveiy as
Jews. They were 10 be trained
In court customs and ways,
doubtless with other young men of
heather morals and religion. They
were given luxurious foods such as
the king ate. and costly wines such
as the king drank.
Now here was q strenuous test OF
the faith. the courage and the self.
control OF the young men. The eating
OF the kings food would be O break.
Ing OF the Jewish law as TO food, and
thus be . repVdiatins Of the religion
OF the true God. The dietary would
almost certainly comprise articles OF
food. such as the flesh of swine. hares,
etc. which the Law interdicted to the
lsraelites.
The young men were greatly favored
by having = friend at court. God had
brought Daniel into favor and tender
love- had made him to find Kindness
and compassion. God had made Dan.
lei lovable. giving him attractiveness
OF person and wisdom OF mind; more.
over. the Hoy Spirit had doubtless
moved directly upon the heart of
Ashpenaz. turning him toward Daniel.
All true love and friendship are In.
spired by God.
Said Daniel to Melzar: give US
pulse to eat" Rather, vegetable food
In general; there IL no reason for re.
stricting the Hebrew word used to
leguminous fruits. such az beans and
peas. which IL what the term pulse"
properly denotes. "And dater 10
drink instead OF the wine" They be.
gan the simple life.
The result Of the test was better
physical condition, countenances fair
or, fatter In flesh. The simple life
brought better bodily health, more
beauty, greater strength and activity,
oil that was needed for the best worl
and the highest JOY, Of which the body
10 capable.
Every trainer In athletics In all oul
colleges throughout the land will con.
firm this fact, and acts upon It.