The Holly chieftain., 1922-07-20
LESSON FOR JULY %
DANIEL IN THE DEN OF LIONS

0%N1EG IN IHE OEN Of ItONS
LESSON TExT-DanieI GLIB.
GOLDEN TEXT-Who through faith
subdued Kingdoms. wrought righteous
ness. obtained promises. stopped tho
mouths of lions.-Heb. 1l:33
REFERENCE MATERIAI-Jer. %:
Dan. 3; Acts 12:l-1S: 23:12-36: Heb. II:
$40.
PRIMARY roPIc-God Takes Care of
Daniel.
JUNIOR TopIc-Daniel in the Den Of
Lions.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Daniels Heroic Faith.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Trials and Triumphs of Faith
!. Daniel the Prime Minister Of the
Medo-Persian Empire (vv. 1-3).
Sterling worth brought him to the
front and kept him there. The new
king was keen to discern his worth and
to give it recognition.
IL. An Occasion Sought Against
Daniel wv. 4-9).
IL. The reason for ". ~. No doubt
that which prompted this effort was
their envy and jealousy. The presence
of envy always shows inferiority. 1t
is hard for the human heart to forgive
those who excel.
2. Failure of ". ~. Daniels Off
cial record was blameless. They
could not even find an error. Envy is
still in the world. Those who excel in
any line are sure to suffer in some
way for their excellencies.
5. The wicked plot wv. 5-9).
They trumped up charge on the
ground Of his foreign religion. They
were not careful about their method,
just so their end was attained. When
surrounded by such hatred only the
fear of God can save. Everyone needs
that help daily. In spite of Daniels
loyalty the decree was signed by the
king which would put him into the den
of lions.
III. Daniels Noble Confession
wv. 1919.
Though Daniel knew that the wicked
decree was signed he knelt before God
as usual. Note the silence Of heroism.
Weak men bluster; strong men have
little to say.
l. He continued his usual habit
". 10Y. Regular habitual prayer is
essential to right life. Habit has an
important bearing upon life and espe-
cially upon our religious life. He
knew that the civil law had absolutely
nothing to do with his religion. Gods
law is first. When the laws of earth
conflict with Gods laws there is but
one thing to do. Laws forbidding to
read the Bible, to pray, or to meet
to worship God, have no authority over
| men.
2. Daniel reported to the king
(vv. 11-13). These wicked men
watched to find out as to whether
Daniel would pray before his God.
and when they found that he continued
his worship of the true God they went
to the king and reported that Daniel
disregarded his decree.
~. The Foolish Decree Executed
wv. 14-17).
l. The king displeased with him
self " l4). He labored till the going
down Of the sun to deliver Daniel. He
WAS conscious that he had been en-
trapped.
2. The king helpless ". l5). The
proud ruler found that he was slave.
3. Daniel cast into the den of lions
". 16). The kings parting word to
Daniel was poor, feeble excuse for
his guilty conscience.
4. The Double Seal ". 10. This
double act shows that one rascal will
not trust another.
v. Daniel Delivered (vv. 1929.
l. Note the contrast between the
night spent in the lions den and the
one in the palace. In the palace there
was no sleep, no mirth. Daniels quiet
is as picture Of the safety and peace
which are the portion of those who
trust God and do His will.
?. The kings question in the
morning ". 2O).
3. Daniels answer ". 22). Gods
angel has done many wonderful works.
The early Christians desplsed bonds,
stripes and death.
4. Daniel delivered ". 23). No
manner of hurt was found because
he believed In his God.
VI. The Doom Of His Aecusers
| ". 24).
They were cast into the den of lions
and before they even came to the bot
tom Of the den their bones were broken
In pieces. This is an example of re-
tribute justice. Daniels enemies 90
into the same trap which they pre-
pared for him.
VII. Darius' Decree wv. 25.27).
Men were to tremble and fear before
Daniels God. AS to whether Darius
had change of heart we do not know,
VII. Daniels Prosperity ". 2s).
Daniel goes higher into the king.
dom and continues in his place of
honor even though dvnnstiau aha