School Lesson Helps Allison A rrow ood
and courageously in an idolatrous court, but he never compromised his principles. He knew what God expected of him and determined to fulfill these expectations. The lesson passage today shows him in courageous action pronouncing doom up on a wine-filled and insolent king. There is still a great need for men and women of spiritual convictions who have the for titude to abide by them. The Reason for Judgment vv. 17-24 Be sure to read the first 16 verses of the chapter to get the background for today’s lesson. It records the ungodly banquet given by the wicked king Bel shazzar for the “ enjoyment” of his lead ing men. It was at this time that the mysterious handwriting upon the wall appeared (v. 5). None could be found to interpret the writing until Daniel was brought before the king. Filled with divine wisdom, Daniel proceeded to ex plain the reason for the writing. He was told that it was the most high God who had been responsible for giving Nebuchad nezzar the Babylonian kingdom (v. 18). But, in spite of God’s goodness he was so lifted up with pride that God had to bring him down (v. 20). Great humilia tion was brought to him because of his pride (21). Pride always leads to a fall sooner or later. But men are slow to learn this lesson. Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s successor, did not learn it (v. 22). He lift ed up his heart against God even as his grandfather had done (v. 23). More than this Belshazzar showed utter disrespect for God by his profane use of the holy vessels of the temple. He thus defied God. But God always has the last word. And so in the midst of his irreverence there appeared an inscription of doom (v. 24). The Nature of the Judgment vv. 25-28 The words of the judgment were short — Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin (v. 25). Simply stated the words mean numbered, weighed and dividers. The significance of Mene is that God hath fixed the number of the years of the king’s empire, and that number is now complete (v. 26). Tekel carries the idea that the king’s actions were far too light in the scales of God (v. 27). Peres from which root Uphar sin comes carries the idea that Belshaz zar’s kingdom would be divided among the Medes and Persians. In other words it would be cut off from Belshazzar (v. 28). Helps For the Children Dare to Stand Alone Dan. 1 MEMORY VERSE: "Teach me thy way.
from the rage of the king. Note the atti tude of these men. They recognized the ability of God to deliver them. But they did not dictate to God what He should do. They left that matter in His hands. One thing they determined was not to serve the gods of Babylon, nor to worship the golden image (v. 18). Dr. C. I. Scofield sees in these loyal men who were faithful to God, while the nation of Israel far from their land bear no testimony, a fit type of the Jewish remnant in the last days, who will be faithful in the furnace of the great tribu lation (Ps. 2:5; Rev. 7:14). Helps For the Children Jeremiah Writes to the Captives Ps. 137:1-6; Jer. 29:1-14 MEMORY VERSE: ". . . pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you" (Jer. 29:12b). Have you ever been away from home and from all those whom you know and love? Many of God’s people, the Jews, had been carried away as captives to a strange land because they had refused to obey God’s commandments. Jeremiah, the prophet, had chosen to stay in Jerusalem with some of the poor Jews. He knew how lonesome an d discouraged they would be in a strange land. One day he wrote a letter to his friends in captivity. He reminded the captives that God was still with them and would care for them if they would again put their trust in Him. After 70 years in another land, God promised to permit His children to return to their beloved Jerusalem. The same God they had worshiped in Palestine was with them to protect them and to love them in their loneliness. If you will read Psalm 137, you will learn how unhappy the Jews were; they could not even sing the Lord’s songs in a strange land because of the sorrow in their hearts. Perhaps you will sometimes feel all alone and as though no one loves you or is interested in you. The Lord Jesus Christ has promised that He will never leave or forsake those who know Him as their personal Saviour. If you belong to Him, He has promised that He will always be with you. The same promise God gave to the Jews is yours today if you are His child: “ Pray unto me, and I will hearken [listen] unto you.” Aug. 14, 1955 True to Convictions Dan. 5:17-28 Pointers on the Lesson Daniel, a Hebrew captive, lived long
O Lord, and lead me in a plain path" (Ps. 27:11). Last week we read in God’s Word about the Jews who had been taken cap tive into a strange land because of their disobedience to God’s commandments. One o f .the captives was a young man named Daniel. He had been trained in the ways of the Lord in his own land. He might have forgotten God’s Word and the things that would please God, but he chose to be faithful to God even though he was far away from home. The king of the new land commanded all of the Jews in his palace to eat cer tain foods which Daniel knew would dis please God because they had been offered to idols. Daniel asked permission for him self and his friends to eat simple food for 10 days, after this they would be com pared with those who had eaten the king’s food. At the end of the time, Daniel and his friends were much healthier than the others. Daniel might have been killed for refusing to obey the king’s command. But he dared to stand alone because he wanted his life to please God at all times—even when he was away from home. Some Christian boys and girls talk and act differently when they feel that no relative or friend is near than they do when a parent, minister or teacher might be listening to them or hearing them speak. Remember that God always hears us and sees our actions. Pray each day, “ Teach me thy way, 0 Lord, and lead me in a plain path.” Aug. 21, 1955 Hope for the Despairing Isa. 55 Pointers on the Lesson As years passed, the situation of the Jews in Babylon became more discourag ing. Their hope of early return was not realized. They were tempted to believe that God had deserted them or was still angry at them. Then God sent through His prophets words of love and promise. These included the prophecy of the Mes siah. In this lesson text is found the gos pel of mercy and salvation and hope as it is in Jesus Christ. The chapter is an invitation to enjoy these things. Simplicity of the Invitation vv. 1-3 Note the simple words that are used by the prophet to set forth the invitation to spiritual blessing— “ come . . . buy . . . eat . . . delight . . . incline . . . hear.” Everyone understands the significance of these words. Receiving God’s salvation CONTINUED ►
JULY, 1955
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