The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-09-15
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDYSGlOOL
LESSON
CBy REV. z. d. FITZW ATER, D. D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute Of ChcagOD
Lr-nrAr--i-- T-rlnr,
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 16
THE FIERY FURNACE.

that God said 10 NebuchauneZZar'
Thou art this head of gold g :3S)
was too much for him. Though ne 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 De !
worshiped by all the people OF MS
realm. It was an attempt at self-deln-
cation. II combined with it political
move. the object Of which was to weiu
together the various kingdoms ana
peoples into one homogeneous oody'
He inaugurated a religious festival
and called upon all the people 10 Wor-
ship the image which he set up. de
backed this demand by civil authority.
The penalty for refusal TO bow down
and worship the image was TO De cast
into the burning fiery furnace. lmpos-
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.
n. The Behavior of the Hebrews
wv. S-lS). ~ the accusation Oy inc
envious spies wv. SID.
Daniels three friends had been pro-
NOTED TO positions of honor ana re-
sponsibility. Certain Chaldeans whose
envy had been excited by the promo
ton Of these Hebrews, sought occasion
against them. This they found wnen
the Hebrews would not bow down TO
and worship the image. Envlous eyes
are always watching Gods faithrui
ones. Had these Chaldeans been faith
fully worshiping. they would not have
seen the Hebrews.
COY The kings rage wv. BID.
He calls the Hebrews before MIN,
questions them and gives them another
chance. The offense was not serious
they were defying the authority Oh
the one who had hOnored them in their
promotion: 1t savored of ingratitude.
After closely questioning them he gave
them another opportunity TO CONSIDER
their position before cOnsigning them
70 the fire. His supreme mistake was
in the challenge he made to the Goo
of the Hebrews He seems to have
forgotten entirely the confession he
had made with reference TO God CAD
(3) The courageous reply of the
faithful Hebrews wv. 1919.
They replied without passion or fear
The peace of God filed their hearts
Their behavior is an expression OF
triumphant faith. "We are not care
full to answer thee in this matter. If II
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, . king. But If not, bt
II known unto thee. o king, that we
will not serve thy gods, nor worship
the golden image which thou hast Sc
up" They courageously showed theil
contempt for death. They were no
afraid TO die, but were afraid to sir
against God. They knew that to bow
down before this image was to disobe!
and dishonor God. While they did no
know what God would do, In the prem
ises they knew that he would do TIL
right thing. These Hebrews were ia
away from home, exposed TO the mos
severe temptation. but they saw thei
duty clearly set before them. God
law plainly settled it for them. The
did not try to find an excuse TO evad
their duty. and seeing the way clearl
they acted accordingly. Their cree
was. "Our God whom me serve
able" Therefore they could burn bu
could not turn. These Jews are typ
Of the faithful remnant in the Grea
TribulatiOn. also of all Gods faithfu
ones, for furnaces are everywhere 70
them. If 1t be not the literal fire,
may be ridicule, scorn and contempt.
~. The Glorious Issue tvv. 1890
~ The harmless furnace wv. 1925
! The Infatuated king ordered the hef
of the furnace to be intensified. hi
most mighty men to bind the Hebrew
! and fling them into the fire. Thong
, the heat was so intense that the so
: diers who cast them into the furnaC
! were slain, the Hebrews were see
walking loose in the fire without an
hurt Equally astounding was the fa'
/ that fourth one was seen with then
: (2) The convinced king wv. 1928
The spectacle was so wonderful thu
the king called the Hebrews togethe
! out of the fire. They came forth III
/ harmed. for the fire had no power ovs
their bodies; not even hair Of the
heads was singed, their coats change
nor the smell of fire upon them ". 81
(3) The kings decree ". 29).
This was most foolish and wicke
Even a king has no right to kill Peep
for not worshiping God.
(D Promotion of the Hebrews
30).
Their fidelity in this trying orde
resulted in their promotion instead
downfall. May we learn from this tina
(a) God alone is Lord Of the co
science. Ones faith and *orsh
should be determined by the individu
before his God. No church, King
ruler has a right to interfere.
(b) We should meet religious int
erance by being obedient to God rath
than man.
(c) God will support those who q