The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-09-07
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 9
BENEFITS OF TOTAL ABsTi.
NENCE.

LESSON TExT-Daniel 1.
GOLDEN TEXT-But Daniel pIrposed
In his heart that he would not defile him
self with the portion OF the kings meat.
nor with the wine which he drank-Danisl
Ia
The book Of Daniel, with the great
prophecies, fulfilled and unfulfilled. is
one Of the most interesting and impor-
tant in the Bible. Without grasp Of
the prophecies Of this book 1t is abso-
lutely impossible for one to know the
New Testament and the times in which
We live. Daniel gives an outline OF the
entire period of time from the passing
Of supremacy to the Gentiles in Nebu-
chadnezzar to the final overthrow OF
the Gentle dominion. to the establish
ment Of the millenial kingdom. The
course, character and end Of Gentle
dominion are given. 1t Is that period
known In Scriptures as the "times of
the Gentiles" uuke 21 :24).
The book, of Daniel falls into two
parts: Part I (chapters 1 to 81, In
which the prophet appears as the d.
vinely chosen interpreter of dreams :;
part II Chapters Z to 12), in which the
prophet appears as the mouthpiece of
God, setting forth In visions, not
dreams, the times Of the Gentiles. The
book is written in two languages, He
brew and Aramaic-chapter 1923 and
chapters to II (Hebrew); chapters
PAT :2S (Aramaic). The part which
concerns the Hebrews was written in
their own tongue and the part which
concerns the empires Of the world Is
written in their tongue.
!. Daniels Home Leaving wv. LAY.
He was carried away to Babylon by
Nebuchadnezzar in the first siege of Je-
rusalem. This was a great trial for
his own heart. He seems to have been
about fourteen years of age.
II. Daniels Trials and Difficulties
(vv. 5-13). 1t was the custom for the
best of the captives to be selected and
trained for service in the land Of cap
tivity. They usually selected those of
the royal house for such training.
/. Change of name. Among the He
brews names were given to children,
which were significant. Daniel means
"God is my judge" The significance
of the name then was that all prob
lens of life were submitted to God for
| decision. This was the secret of Dan
iel's life. This purpose of his parents
seems to have been instilled into his
very life and being. So thoroughly did
he imbibe this spirit that in all things
he made God arbiter of his plans and
purposes. The object no doubt in the
change Of name was to obliterate his
national and religious connection and
identify him with the heather people.
The king Of Babylon evidently liked
Daniels appearance and scholarship,
but was averse to his religion. 1t Is
the same today. Nations and individ-
uals are perfectly willing to recognize
and utilize the scholarship and efficien-
cy of Christian ministers and mission
aries, but are not willing to embrace
their religion.
2. His conscience tested (vv. 5-8). It
was with reference to the kings meat
and the kings wines. 1t Is ever to be
borne in mind that conscience is the
groundwork of human character. 1t is
the law which must be followed. No
doubt Daniel was taunted and laughed
at for his fidelity, just as all men and
women today who are loyal to their
convictions must experience, for all
who will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution.
8. His religious life. This involved
his refusal to eat meat and drink wine
which was contrary to his teaching.
Also 1t involved his praying three times
day. ...-.
III. His Success (vv. 14-21). 1. Ply.
sical health ". 15).
Cody and temperate living pays.
The kings meat and wine would have
been pleasant to the palate, but would
have meant compromise of conscience.
2. Mental growth ". 20). He was ten
times superior to his comrades. 1t Is
always true that those who abstain
from indulgence in the use of wine
have clearer minds and are mentally
better equipped for their worI than
those who indulge.
3. Social. Daniel stood before the
king. No higher position of honor
could have been given him.
4. Temporal. re DeCdlHe pEeSlueut
Of the College Of Wise Men and prime
minister of the nation. This position
he continued to hold through several
dynasties.
5. Spiritual ". ~. Because of Dan
iel's loyalty to God. Nebuchadnezzar's s
dream was revealed to him and he was
giving visions sketching the whole his
tory of the world.
~. The Secret Of His Success. The
following may be set down as the
things which made Daniel successful ::
/. He was conscientious. If we would
succeed in the world, let us see to it
that in all things we live in good con-
science.
2. Loyalty to God. He made God the