Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-09-14
INTERNATIONAL,
SUNIlGySC[Dy)L
LESSON
(By REV. P. b. FITZWATER, D. D.:
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER is
TIE FIERY FURNACE
LESSON TEXT-Daniel 8.

LESSON TEXT-Danlel s.
GOLDEN TEXT-When thou walkest
through the fire, thou shalt not be burn
ed; neither shalt the flame kindle upon
thee-Isaiah 1872.
I, The Occasion wv. 1-7). The fact
that God said to Nebuchadnezzar,
"Thou art this head of gold" q :3S)
was too much for him. Though he ap-
peared to have been deeply impressed
with Daniels God, his pride got the
better of him. AS he grew great and
became conscious of it, he grew proud.
This moved him to set up colossal
idol of gold in the Plain of Dura to be
worshiped by all the people of his
realm. It was an attempt at self-de1h-
cation. It combined with it political
move, the object of which was to weld
together the various kingdoms and
peoples into one homogeneous Dody. /
He inaugurated a religious festival,
and called upon all the people to Wor-
ship the image which he set up. He |
backed this demand by civil authority |
| The penalty for refusal to bow down |
and worship the image was to be cast
into the burning fiery furnace. 1mpos-
ing images are set up in many places,
and men and women are being called
upon to bow down and worship them.
| Some of these images are money,
fashion, scholarship, worldly ambition,
pleasures, etc, and woe be to those
who will not worship before them.
II. The Behavior of the Hebrews
wv. S-1S). (1) the accusation by the
envious spies wv. 9-12).
Daniels three friends had been pro-
NOTED to positions of honor and re-
sponsibility. Certain Chaldeans whose
envy had been excited by the promo
ton of these Hebrews, sought occasion
against them. This they found when
the Hebrews would not bow down to
and worship the image. Envious eyes
are always watching Gods faithful
ones Had these Chaldeans been faith
fully worshiping, they would not have
seen the Hebrews.
(2) The kings rage wv. 1879.
He calls the Hebrews before him,
questions them and gives them another
chance The offense was not serious
they were defying the authority of
the one who had honored them in their
promotion; it savored of ingratitude.
After closely questioning them he gave
them another opportunity to consider
their position before consigning them
to the fire. His supreme mistake was
in the challenge he made to the God
of the Hebrews. He seems to have
forgotten entirely the confession he
had made with reference to God e 40.
, (3) The courageous reply of the
faithful Hebrews wv. 1919.
They replied without passion or fear.
The peace of God filled their hearts.
Their behavior is an expression of
triumphant faith. 1--WE are not care
full to answer thee in this matter. If it
be so, our God whom we serve is able
to deliver us from the burning fiery
, ! furnace, and he will deliver us out of
, thine hand, o king. But if not, be
: it known unto thee, o king, that we
l will not serve thy gods, nor worship
l the golden image which thou hast set
r up." They courageously showed their
contempt for death. They were not
D afraid to die, but were afraid to sin
, against God. They knew that to bow
: and dishonor God While they did not
e know what God would do, in the prem
t ises they knew that he would do the
h right thing. These Hebrews were far
away from home, exposed to the most
4 severe temptation, but they saw their
4 duty clearly set before them. Gods
o law plainly settled it for them. They
did not try to find an excuse to evade
e their duty, and seeing the way clearly
e they acted accordingly. Their creed
J. was, "Our God whom me serve is
+ able" Therefore they could burn but
'. could not turn. These Jews are type
e of the faithful remnant in the Great
If Tribulation, also of all Gods faithful
r. ones, for furnaces are everywhere fol
e them. If it be not the literal fire, i
IS may be ridicule, scorn and contempt.
l. Ill. The Glorious Issue lvv. 19-30)
0 The harmless furnace (vv. 1925
-e The infuriated king ordered the hea
n of the furnace to be intensified, hi
,e most mighty men to bind the Hebrew
ar and fling them into the fire. Thougl
the heat was so intense that the sol
is diers who cast them into the furnac
te walking loose in the fire without an,
hurt. Equally astounding was the fac
that fourth one was seen with them
81 (2) The convinced king wv. 26-28)
III The spectacle was so wonderful tha
q the king called the Hebrews togethe
~ out of the fire. They came forth un
& harmed, for the fire had no power owe
&l | their bodies: not even a hair of thei
81 heads was singed, their coats changed
n nor the smell of fire upon them ". 81
Il (3) The kings decree (v. 29).
Il This was most foolish and wicked
q Even a king has no right to kill peopl
II for not worshiping God
I az Promotion of the Hebrews q
n 3O).
= Their fidelity in this trying ordea
resulted in their promotion instead O
! dss@nfall. May we learn from this that
Il (a) God alone is Lord of the cor
science. Ones faith and worshi
II should be determined by the indfvidua
81 before his God. No church, king @
a ruler has a right to interfere.
Al (b) We should meet religious into
n eTance by being obedient to God rathe
Et than man.
III (c) God will support those who al
III faithful. He can easily control naturs
%I forces in the interest of his faithft
III ones.
III (d) we should prepare for fier
I'll trials, and through them all be tru
al to our conscience.