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July 1929
T h - e
K i n g ' s
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FRED S. SHEPARD ’S BLACKBOARD OUTL INE T r u e e s t e d R I U M P H Because he trusted in his God.— Dan. 6 :23.
pointing him as third ruler of the king dom. One might say that this was an empty honor. From the standpoint of the Chal dean rule it was, because it terminated that night. But God providentially brought that honor to Daniel in order that when the government was taken over by the Medes and Persians he would be in a position of power and authority and would be permitted to remain there. It is a well-known fact that the Persians in all their conquered territory endeavored to leave everything intact as they found it whenever possible. Thus Daniel remained as the prime minister at the Persian court and was used of God. IV. The Fall of Babylon. Vs. 30, 31. That very night Belshazzar was slain and Darius the Mede received the king dom. The critics have been quite exer cised over the reference to Darius the Mede since his name does not appear up on any of the monuments. It is most probable that he is the Gobryas of secu lar history. The entire chapter is stamped with the indelible marks of historicity and of truthfulness. August 11, 1929 Daniel Among th e Lions Dan. 6:1-28 Devotional Reading: Psa. 91:9-16. Golden Text: “The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them” (Psa.. 34:7). L esson in O u tlin e Introduction: Historical Setting. I. Daniel’s Promotion. Vs. 1-3. II. The Plot Against Daniel by his • Enemies. Vs. 4-15. III. D a n i e l ’s Miraculous Deliverance. Vs. 16-23. IV. The Execution of Daniel’s Enemies. V. 24. V. The Decree of Darius. Vs. 25-27. VI. The Prosperity of Daniel. V. 28. Introduction: Historical Setting. A CCORDING to last week’s lesson ■* * Darius the Mede received the kingdom and reigned two years over the Medo- Persian empire with Cyrus the Great as
that Satan and his evil spirits can predict things in the future. While this statement is true, Satan and his spirits are not om niscient. 3. The Success of Daniel in Interpret ing the Writing. Vs. 10-28. Mention is made in verse 10 of “the queen.” Much has been said and written as to who she was. Thus far no historical evidence has been discovered which throws light upon her person. She may have been the wife of Belshazzar or the wife of Nabonidus. It is quite, evident that the king had profound respect for her judgment and advice. She told him of Daniel and his ability to interpret “dark sentences” and the like, stating that he had done so for Nebuchad nezzar. a. Thè King’s Explanation to Daniel. Vs. 13-16. Daniel was immediately summoned and the matter concerning the appearance of the hand and the writing was laid before him. The king offered him the same emoluments, with the position of third ruler in the kingdom, as he had done to the enchanters. .b. Daniel’s Reply. Vs. 17-28. (1) Nebuchadnezzar’s Experience a Warning. Vs. 17-24. Daniel, with a heroism born of an im plicit faith in the presence and help of God, rehearsed briefly the humiliating ex periences which God brought upon Neb uchadnezzar as punishment for his pride and impious deeds. In verse 22 Daniel speaks of Bel shazzar as “the son of Nebuchadnezzar.” In all probabilities “son” is used in the passage in the broad sense in which it occurs many times in the Old Testament, either as a descendant, such as a grand son or a great-grandson, or in the figur ative sense of being a successor on the throne. Such usage is familiar to the one who is faimiliar with the phraseology of the Semitic world; therefore the objec tions of the critics based upon this state ment are unwarranted. Daniel charges Belshazzar with wilful stubbornness since he was thoroughly acquainted with the judgment of God which was brought upon Nebuchadnezzar because of his pride. God always resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. At this point “was the part of the hand sent from before him, and this writing was inscribed.” (2) The Interpretation of the Writing. Vs. 25-28. The writing was “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.” By the Spirit of God Daniel affirmed that the word “MENE” signifies “God hath numbered thy kingdom, and brought it to an end.” “TEKEL” means “thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” “PERES” signifies “thy kingdom is di vided, and given to the Medes and Per sians." The stroke of judgment, which was to end the Chaldean rule, was ready to fall. God will bring every wicked deed into judgment. There is no such thing as escaping. III. Daniel Honored.'V. 29. Daniel’s explanation was entirely satis factory to the king. Therefore, notwith standing the fact that it was an unwel come message, the king was faithful to his promise and honored Daniel by ap
In verse 3 appears the record of Dan iel’s promotion to the prime ministership. The word “Daniel” means “God judges.” He recognized the fact that God is the One who judges and overrules all situa tions. It is God who has His will in the armies of heaven and among the inhab itants of the world. Daniel was promoted to the chief place in the empire under the king because “an excellent spirit was in him.” The spirit which he had was entirely different from that of the other men. He was a true servant of God and viewed things from the standpoint of God and righteousness. His spirit was completely under the power and influence of the Spirit of God; there fore his spirit was more excellent than the spirits of his unregenerated fellow of ficials. Therefore the king promoted him to the honor of prime minister. II. The Plot Against Daniel by his Enemies. Vs. 4-15. Jealousy is the characteristic of the un regenerated heart which constantly crops out and causes untold harm and trouble. Another name for jealousy is “Cain ha tred.” When Cain saw that Abel, his brother, was acceptable in the sight of God he became insanely jealous of his brother and slew him. Jealousy and hatred, if not put under by the power of the Spirit of God, will drive men to com mit some of the most wicked crimes imaginable. Daniel had won the royal favor. There fore their jealousy was aroused. His fel low presidents sought an occasion of criticism in Daniel in regard to his ad ministration of the affairs of the king dom, but here they sought in vain. His conduct of the business was aboveboard and beyond question since he was “faith ful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.” Being unable to condemn his admin istration of affairs, they next sought an occasion of criticism against him in mat ters pertaining to his religious life and practice. Thus they plotted against him in order to accomplish his downfall. These presidents and satraps assembled together in the presence of the king and flattered him by saying, “King Darius, live for ever.” According to verses 7-9 they made peti tion to the king that should any person in the realm during a period of thirty days make any petition of any god or man ex cept of the king himself, he should be cast into the den of lions. The king, not sus pecting any treachery but feeling flattered by such a request, unthoughtedly granted the petition. Hastily their request was committed to writing and was signed by the king. Daniel’s enemies knew that, ac cording to the law of the Medes and Per sians “which altereth not,” when the king signed the writing, it was unchangeable. The news of the signing of this inter dict was conveyed to Daniel. It made no
Co-Rex. There is some dispute as to the extent of his reign. According to Ussher’s d a t e , he reigned during the years 538-537. I. Daniel’s Pro motion. Vs. 1-3.
The Medo-Persian empire was divided, according to verse 1, into 120 provinces or satrapies over each of which a subordi nate official, called a satrap, ruled. According to verse 2, there were three principal men who looked after the af fairs of the kingdom, to whom the title of “president” was given. This system of civil administration of the empire was very wise and proved to be a source of great strength in keeping the vast em pire in a peaceful condition.
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