271
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
July, 1939
“Awake, ye drunkards, and weep,” even though such a cry will not be popular. 3. "M ene , M ene , T ekel , U pharsin " (Dan. 5:25). Some English readers of this passage have been puzzled by the fact that in giving the interpretation Daniel changes “U pharsin " to "P eres .” These two words represent two different forms of the same root. The first is an active form, while the second is a passive form. Thus it is easy to see why Daniel should shift from the active to the passive in his interpretation. It is as if God, who wrote the inscription, had said, “I am dividing the kingdom," and Daniel interpreting to the king said, "Your kingdom is being divided.” The late R. Dick Wilson explained the four words as follows: "M ene "—comes from the verb "menah" in which may be found both the ideas of "numbered” and “finished.” Since it is repeated, Daniel finds both meanings. “T ekel "—1 may come from two roots: First, from " tekal " which means “to weigh.” Second, from "kal” which means to be “light or wanting.” "P eres "—also may come from two roots: First, from "peras" meaning “to divide.” Second, from "Paras" meaning “Persia.” It is perfectly obvious that, even with these meanings in his mind, Daniel could never have given the exact interpretation without the aid of supernatural revelation. A mere technical knowledge of verb roots and grammatical forms is not sufficient to unlock the mysteries of what God has written. A publican who had made considerable wealth got his portrait painted by an artist of fame. His many friends admired the picture, and declared that it was perfection. One day the wife of a too good customer was called in by way of a favor to see the painting. She said it was "vera guid,” but considered that it lacked one thing to make it perfect. "If his han’,” she said, “had been painted as if in our John's pocket, instead o’ in his ain, it wad hae been much truer to life.” — 1,000 Tales Worth Telling, by P ickering . When Daniel Read to a King D aniel 5: 1-17 Memory Verse: "He that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Prov. 29:18). Approach: Today our story is going to be about a man who told a king what a message from God meant. The man was the prophet Daniel, and the king was Belshazzar, king of Babylon. Lesson Story: Like Golden Text Illustration H abakkuk 2:15
“Sharing Tibetan Homelife” This absorbing account of C.A.M. work in “the world’s attic” tells of an experience th at is given to few mission aries— to live as a Tibetan in a humble Tibetan Home. Every line is a challenge. Specimen Booklet (illustrated) sent free on application. C e n ù lo i C lS Ù L CENTRAL ASIAN MISSION 47, Victoria St., London, S.W .l R a i s e M O N E Y . . . E a s i l y
L E S SO N C O M M E N T A R Y [Continued from page 267]
ful and culpable dishonor of the living and true God. "In the same hour” mysterious and awesome writing appeared upon the wall, and suddenly all the people were filled with consternation. Belshazzar called for the wise men and soothsayers and astrologers, and he asked them to interpret the writing. He promised great reward to the one who should be able to decipher it. None but Daniel was found able to help, and when he came, he im mediately told the king that he came not for the reward, but to give the king a mes sage from God who was being dishonored among them. God gives His truth freely; it cannot be purchased with money. After reminding the king of the sacrilege and the culpability of it, Daniel interpreted the mysterious writing, and in so doing he pronounced God’s judgment upon Belshaz zar and his kingdom. In the first place, the writing meant: "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it” (v. 26). It might look as though such a magnificent and powerful kingdom as this one could not suddenly come to an end. But that very night saw the finish of that self-sufficient and strongly protected kingdom. In the second place, Belshazzar was told, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting” (v. 27). And that very night Belshazzar was slain. In the third place, the kingdom was to be "divided, and given to the Medes and Persians” (v. 28). And that very night this word became true. Points and Problems 1. "Awake, g e drunkards, and weep" (Joel 1:5). To understand this stem call of the prophet, we must recall the historical background. The land had suffered a ter rible visitation from locusts which had de voured every growing green thing; and this destructive visitation, Joel declares, is prophetic of a worse judgment at the hand of invading armies of men (see chapters 2 and 3 ). Yet in the face of the present calamity, there were men who went on drinking as if nothing were wrong. But worst of all, these men failed to understand the prophetic meaning of the locust visita tion. They were reveling when they should have been weeping. Strong drink dulls the intellect and destroys spiritual vision. 2. But there is a spiritual drunkenness which is worse than physical drunkenness. The professing church has many leaders today who are drinking deeply of the cup which is in the hand of the "Great Harlot" (Rev. 17). Intoxicated with the wine of self-sufficiency, human schemes for the salvation of the world, and pride of ac complishment, these leaders are wholly in sensible to the clear prophetic meaning of the present-day events which are coming upon the world. Like the religious leaders of our Lord’s day, they are very brilliant intellectually but blind spiritually, utterly unable to “discern the signs of the times" (Matt. 16:3). There is no intoxication so bad as this. And there is great need today for prophets who are not afraid to cry,
There is no surer, easier or more pleasant way to raise needed funds for churches or clubs than with the aid of our co-operative plan. Women everywhere accept Gott- schalk’s Metal Sponge as the foremost metal scouring device. They buy this time and labor saver without hesitation. A sale is made almost every call. In the past 20 years we have assisted thousands of organizations to raise money. We will be delighted to help you. Write for particulars. METAL SPONGE SALES CORPORATION, Phila delphia, Penna. G o t t s c h a l k ’s METAL SPONGE
Protection in Old Age • Freedom from Worry A Steady Income • Permanent Satisfaction in the check that comes regularly to you as a holder of an Annuity Agreement of the American Bible Society. For over 90 years such checks have helped bring security and comfort in spite of disturbing world conditions. In addition there’s the fine sat isfaction of taking part in the significant work of making the Bible more and more widely available throughout the world. The booklet, “A Gift That Lives ” tells about the plan . MAIL THIS COUPON TODAY American Bible Society, Bible House, New York City
the little girl in our s to r y la st week, D an iel was an Is r a e lite who had been taken captive by the king of a foreign country. Some years before this, a king of Baby lon had brought to his cou n try the
Please send me, without obligation, your bookletKB-86 entitled "A Gift That Lives."
precious golden vessels which were used in the temple at Jerusalem for the worship of the living God. This king kneyr that 5 -DIVISION
Name
/
--------------------------------- i Denomination
State -..
City --------------------
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker