The Elbert County tribune., 1911-09-01
DANIEL AND HIS
COMPANIONS
Sssdsy School Lesson for Sept. 10. 1911
Specially Arranged for This Paper
LESSON TEXT.-Daniel i:s-ao.
VERSES q q


whereby thy brother Standardization.
I4:21.
TIME.-B. c. eo5-4 The third year of
King Jehoiakim Q-esson WIZ. The acces-
sion year of Nebuchadnezzar. when Dan
iel was carried captive to Babylon. The
next year is calleonhis first year.
PERIOD--Three years, B. G. 605-4-e03-2,
on Nebuehadnezzar's return to Babylon
after defeating the armies of Egypt.
PLACE.-Bahylon on the Euphrates Be-
fore his captivity Daniel lived in Jerusa-
lem.
PLACE IN THE HrsToRY.-2 Kings
241-6: . Chron. $685.
PRoPHETS.-Jeremiah and Habakkuk
were prophesying at Jerusalem when Dan
lei was carried away. and Ezekiel was his
contemporary in Babylonia. but not in
the city OF Babylon He was on the river
Chebar, southeast of the city.
At the time of this lesson the two
great world powers were in deadly
conflict. The Egyptian army under
Necho had marched toward Babylon
as far as Carchemish on the Euphra-
tes.
On the other hand Nabopolassar
with the assistance of the Scythians
had conquered the Assyrians, and de-
stroyed Nineyeh. the capital, B. G. Cos
The Babylonians marched up the Eu-
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 as in 604, Jehoia-
kim's fourth year, probably In the
early past, so that a difference in the
period covered by the Babylonian and
the Jewish years would account for
the variation. The last part of sos
is treated as Nebuchadnezzar's acces-
sion year, and 604 his first year as
king.
At this time Nabopolassar died and
Nebuchadnezzar hasted back to Baby
Ion, taking with him a number of cap
tives including Daniel and his three
companions, from royal or prineely
families, either as hostages or persons
whom he could train for his official
service.
The names of the four young princes
were all compounded with the name
of God. Daniel-God is my Judge;
Eananiah--Jehovah is gracious:
Mishael-This is as God; Azariah-
Jehovah is a helper Their new names
were compounded with those of royal
ty or of IDOLS Daniel was named Bel
teshazzar, favored of Bel or Belts,
the great Babylonian god and goddess.
The custom of changing names con-
tinues up to this day; any change
from Mohammedan to Christian, or
the reverse, being accompanying by a
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 officers
When these young men were select
ed for their future career, several
things were appointed for their train
ing, like the training of young men
now in professional schools. after col
lege graduation. Their names were
changed, as noted above, so that, at
least officially. they would be in har-
mony with the administration,
and not known distinctively as
Jews. They were to 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 a strenuous test of
the faith. the courage and the self
control of the young men. The eating
of the kings food would be break
ing Of the Jewish law as to food, and
thus be repudiating 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
Israelites.
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 Holy 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 is no reason for re-
stricting the Hebrew word used to
leguminous fruits, such as beans and
peas. which is what the term pulse"
properly denotes. "And dater to
drink instead of the wine" They be-
gan the simple life.
The result OF the test was better
physical condition, countenances fair
er, fatter in flesh. The simple life
brought better bodily health, more
beauty. greater strength and activity.
all that was needed for the best work
and the highest Joy. of which the body
is capable.