Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-11-10
SUNDAY SCHOOL,
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.
Lesson vIl.-Fourth Quarter, For
Nov. IA. 1915.

Text Of the Lesson, Dan. |. s-2o-Mem-
Dry Verse, 15-Goiden Text, Cor. xvi,
13-commentary Prepared by Rev.
D. M. Stearns.
l am very glad to have the privilege
OF writing lesson on Daniel. even
though il be what is called a temper
ance lesson, for we shall find much
more in it than appears on the surface.
He is mentioned in Eek xiv. Il. 20
with Noah and Job as noted for their
righteousness. He is mentioned by
the Lord Jesus in Matt. xiv. 10. in
connection with the great tribulation
at the end of this age Immediately
preceding the return of the Lord in
His glory. to which Daniel also refers
in chapters tx, p; Xii. l. We recently
saw little captive maid clarifying
the God of Israel under very trying
circumstances. and in this lesson we
see four captive young men clarifying
the God of Israel under difficulties.
The Lord permitted this oppression
and captivity because of the sin of
OF his people and some of the vessels
OF the house of God into the hand of
Nebuehadnezzar. king of Babylon. and
among the captives We're these four
young men of royal blood, who were
chosen to stand in the kings palace
and TO be taught the learning and
tongue of the Chaldeans that they
might stand before the king verses
3-5l.
They were 10 have a three years
course Of preparation for their calling,
and as to their food they were nour-
ished from the kings table daily the
same meat and wine which he ate and
drank. At least that was the provi-
sion made for them. 1t was humiliat-
ing for an Israelite to lie captive 1t
was humiliating to have their beauti-
full Jewish names, each of which had
In them a suggestion Of the true God
of Jehovah. changed to names sugges-
tive of idols oversees 6, y. But this
they could bear without any sin on
their part. Our Lord Jesus Christ
Himself was taken prisoner, bound
and led by His captors as they pleased.
They also called Him devil and
Beelzebub and said that He was be-
side Himself. So in these two partic
ulars they were foreshadowing the suf-
ferings of Christ.
When we suffer in these ways We
have fellowship with Him in His suf-
ferings. When it came TO eating anc
drinking that which had been offered
to idols Daniel purposed in his heart
that he would not defile himself, and
no doubt he had prayed to his God
about this He asked permission Of the
prince of the eunuchs that he and his
friends might be excused from receiv-
ing the food from the kings table and
be given very plain fare, which had not
passed that way, asking that they
might be proved for ten days. The
same God who permitted them thus
far to suffer for His sake now gave
them favor in the sight Of this man,
and he consented to prove them. At
the end Of ten days they were fairer
and fatter in flesh than those who did
eat the portion Of the kings meat, 10
It was kept from them, and they were
given the plain fare, which had not
been offered to Idols. See Deut xxi.
81, 49, II this Is temperance lesson
the same principle applies to food as to
drink.
To my mind 1t Is lesson on the ne
cessity Of keeping ones self wholly
for God In every particular and Of be-
ing willing to submit cheerfully to diff
ficult circumstances for His sake. In
chapter K. 2. 8. Daniel says that for
three weeks he did without pleasant
bread or flesh or wine. while he mourn
ed and waited upon God for special
purpose. implying that he did not al
ways see the necessity Of denying him
self food that could have the blessing
Of God. AS to the sin of intemperance
or self indulgence in any matter. the
teaching of scripture is very plain. and
the filthiness and beastliness Of strong
drink could scarcely be more wildly
described or condemned than in Isa. ".
II, II. %, %; xviii. I. s. The only
remedy Is in Christ Jesus, who alone
can forgive sin and give the sinner a
new nature and such purpose to
keep ones self wholly for Him as
Daniel had.
Though he stood before the earthly
king in place of honor, he stood more
consciously before the King Of kings.
for whose sake he In his old age went
To the lions den rather than diShonor
him by any fear Of man, for whose
sake his three friends went to the fiery
furnace rather than bow down to any
image which man might set up. No
doubt Daniel and his friends were
prayerfully diligent in their Chaldean
studies. but God gave them knowledge
and skill In all learning and wisdom.
and He gave Daniel understanding in
all visions and dreams. so that these
young men were ten times better than
al the magicians and astrologers In
the whole realm oversees IL 2W. On