Mexico Missouri message., 1915-11-11
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNIMSOIOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER IA
DANIEL IN THE KINGS COURT.
(By e. o. SELLERS, Acting Director Of
Sunday School Course of Moody Bible
Institute of Chicago)
Copyright, 1915. Western Newspaper Union. }


In the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
II Cor. 1918.
This familiar story has been select
ed for the Worlds Temperance Sun
day'-it is the first record of his
Babylonian experiences and is an il
lustrious example of those everlasting
principles which govern a successful
life.
I. Daniels Position, w. ~. Ne
buchadnezzar, on the death of his
! father, returned to Babylon from be-
sieging Jerusalem to take the throne.
| He carried with him Jehoiakim and a
number of young men, "in whom was
no blemish" (14. They were perhaps
twelve years old Among these were
four who had been particularly So
lected for pious training and the name
of each is compounded with the name
of God; Daniels meaning-"God is my
judge" They are now alone in a
licentious heather palace and abso-
lutely at the power of the king and
his court. Their names are now
changed; Daniel becomes Belteshaz-
Zar-"favored of Bel" Such changing
of names is customary in most heath
en- or Mohammedan lands even today.
A still greater danger or temptation
confronts these young men, viz, that
the king appointed them "a daily por-
ton of the kings meat" Gam. Rev. v.
81. To refuse to eat invited ridicule
and perhaps loss of life, but to eat
was to break the Jewish law as to
food (Deut. 12:23-25). See also Il
Cor. 8:7-10; 10:27-28). Their captiv-
ity had been foretold UI Kings 20:1O,
but change Of location and name
does not involve change of heart as
many tempted one has discovered
These men in spite of natural appe-
tites, danger of being thought pecu-
liar, or even gratitude to king for lives
preserved refused to eat the kings
meat and to drink his wine.
u. Daniels Purpose, 1918. The
real purpose Of mans heart not
alone governs his acts but reveals
what he is-God looks upon that when
ne judges men QI Cor. 9:7; S:12;
Luke 1915. Without will (purpose)
there is no character " (Acts 1923.
Daniel purposed "in his heart" not to
defile himself" No compromise, no
trimming because Of being away from
home, no partnership with the rich
and opulent court. Daniel was to be
'as clean as hounds tooth" Men
who dare to stand alone always find
cooperation, so Daniel found those
who stood by him ". 12). Daniel ex-
ercised great tact in his dealings with
the prince of the eunuchs but God
had evidenced his protecting and lead
ing care ". 81 enabling him to win
his way and persuade the eunuch to
allow the suggested test ". 12). If
Christian workers would exercise
more tact they would more frequently
attain their desired ends duke 1879.
1t is possible to be so unbendingly
puritanical as to lay us open to a
charge of pharisaical pride. Daniel
illustrates spotless purity, infexible
loyalty mingled with sweet reason
ableness that always gains its ends.
Daniel had sufficient confidence in his
God and faith in his actions to be will.
ing to be submitted to the acid test
SApOIlCuCC. lib was ACAl6AOA
that could stand without being tied
~. Daniels Profit (Reward), w. a.
Fl. Pulse denotes such vegetables as
beans and peas. Their diet was to be
general vegetable one. Samson as
a Nazarite drank no wine. This age
has yet to fully comprehend the
reasonableness and efficacy of those
ancient Jewish laws of sanitation and
diet. Myriads of men are today dig
ging their graves with their teeth
The result of this test was that Daniel
and his companions were delivered
from transgressing Gods laws and
the prince of the eunuchs from being
punished because of the physical con
dition of his charges. Beauty, health
and strength came to Daniel and his
friends with the result of preferment
position and influence at court "
J 19). They "stood before the king,
/ (Rom. 14:10-12; Cor 3:10-15; II Cor
: SD; (a) because of their answering
loyalty to God and obedience to his
Word fJohn 14-15; 1926 R. W; (bl
because of their life of prayer, for 1t II
the work of the Holy Spirit to give
unto us wisdom duke 2:15, Acts 6
10) even as Daniel was thus blessed
~. I'D the spirit bestows diverse gifts
q Cor. 12:1-4-11); (c) and finally be
cause having special place in thu
purposes and plans of God their live
were counted precious in his sight "
27). Verify, "He that doeth the win o
God abideth forever
Temperance Applleatlon.--This les
son suggests the value of total alb
stinence.
mo user Of tobacco has ever takei
first honor at Harvard. "-Longfellow
Temperance and self-control mus
begin in the home and be perpetuate,
in the strength and power of CO.
which alone comes through an intell
gent knowledge and obedience of hi
Word. There is no way to win sue