BibleWare/BibWare.bin/bibref/mhc.exe/DA.TXT

Text File | 1996-06-12 | 41KB | 732 lines

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** Daniel was of noble birth, if not one of the royal family of
Judah. He was carried captive to Babylon in the fourth year of
Jehoiachin, B. C. 606, when a youth. He was there taught the
learning of the Chaldeans, and held high offices, both under the
Babylonian and Persian empires. He was persecuted for his
religion, but was miraculously delivered; and lived to a great
age, as he must have been about ninety-four years old at the
time of the last of his visions. The book of Daniel is partly
historical, relating various circumstances which befel himself
and the Jews, at Babylon; but is chiefly prophetical, detailing
visions and prophecies which foretell numerous important events
relative to the four great empires of the world, the coming and
death of the Messiah, the restoration of the Jews, and the
conversion of the Gentiles. Though there are considerable
difficulties in explaining the prophetical meaning of some
passages in this book, we always find encouragement to faith and
hope, examples worthy of imitation, and something to direct our
thoughts to Christ Jesus upon the cross and on his glorious
throne.

* The captivity of Daniel and his companions. (1-7) Their
refusal to eat the king's meat. (8-16) Their improvement in
wisdom. (17-21)

#1-7 Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in the first year of his
reign, took Jerusalem, and carried whom and what he pleased
away. From this first captivity, most think the seventy years
are to be dated. It is the interest of princes to employ wise
men; and it is their wisdom to find out and train up such.
Nebuchadnezzar ordered that these chosen youths should be
taught. All their Hebrew names had something of God in them; but
to make them forget the God of their fathers, the Guide of their
youth, the heathen gave them names that savoured of idolatry. It
is painful to reflect how often public education tends to
corrupt the principles and morals.

#8-16 The interest we think we make for ourselves, we must
acknowledge to be God's gift. Daniel was still firm to his
religion. Whatever they called him, he still held fast the
spirit of an Israelite. These youths scrupled concerning the
meat, lest it should be sinful. When God's people are in Babylon
they need take special care that they partake not of her sins.
It is much to the praise of young people, not to covet or seek
the delights of sense. Those who would excel in wisdom and
piety, must learn betimes to keep the body under. Daniel avoided
defiling himself with sin; and we should more fear that than any
outward trouble. It is easier to keep temptation at a distance,
than to resist it when near. And we cannot better improve our
interest in any with whom we have found favour, than to use it
to keep us from sin. People will not believe the benefit of
avoiding excess, and of a spare diet, nor how much they
contribute to the health of the body, unless they try.
Conscientious temperance will always do more, even for the
comfort of this life, than sinful indulgence.

#17-21 Daniel and his fellows kept to their religion; and God
rewarded them with eminence in learning. Pious young persons
should endeavour to do better than their fellows in useful
things; not for the praise of man, but for the honour of the
gospel, and that they may be qualified for usefulness. And it is
well for a country, and for the honour of a prince, when he is
able to judge who are best fitted to serve him, and prefers them
on that account. Let young men steadily attend to this chapter;
and let all remember that God will honour those who honour him,
but those who despise him shall be lightly esteemed.
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* Nebuchadnezzar's dream. (1-13) It is revealed to Daniel.
(14-23) He obtains admission to the king. (24-30) The dream and
the interpretation. (31-45) Honours to Daniel and his friends.
(46-49)

#1-13 The greatest men are most open to cares and troubles of
mind, which disturb their repose in the night, while the sleep
of the labouring man is sweet and sound. We know not the
uneasiness of many who live in great pomp, and, as others vainly
think, in pleasure also. The king said that his learned men must
tell him the dream itself, or they should all be put to death as
deceivers. Men are more eager to ask as to future events, than
to learn the way of salvation or the path of duty; yet
foreknowledge of future events increases anxiety and trouble.
Those who deceived, by pretending to do what they could not do,
were sentenced to death, for not being able to do what they did
not pretend to.

#14-23 Daniel humbly prayed that God would discover to him the
king's dream, and the meaning of it. Praying friends are
valuable friends; and it well becomes the greatest and best men
to desire the prayers of others. Let us show that we value our
friends, and their prayers. They were particular in prayer. And
whatever we pray for, we can expect nothing but as the gift of
God's mercies. God gives us leave in prayer to tell our wants
and burdens. Their plea with God was, the peril they were in.
The mercy Daniel and his fellows prayed for, was bestowed. The
fervent prayers of righteous men avail much. Daniel was thankful
to God for making known that to him, which saved the lives of
himself and his fellows. How much more should we be thankful to
God, for making known the great salvation of the soul to those
who are not among the worldly wise and prudent!

#24-30 Daniel takes away the king's opinion of his magicians and
soothsayers. The insufficiency of creatures should drive us to
the all-sufficiency of the Creator. There is One who can do that
for us, and make known that to us, which none on earth can,
particularly the work of redemption, and the secret designs of
God's love to us therein. Daniel confirmed the king in his
opinion, that the dream was of great consequence, relating to
the affairs and changes of this lower world. Let those whom God
has highly favoured and honoured, lay aside all opinion of their
own wisdom and worthiness, that the Lord alone may be praised
for the good they have and do.

#31-45 This image represented the kingdoms of the earth, that
should successively rule the nations, and influence the affairs
of the Jewish church. 1. The head of gold signified the Chaldean
empire, then in being. 2. The breast and arms of silver
signified the empire of the Medes and Persians. 3. The belly and
thighs of brass signified the Grecian empire, founded by
Alexander. 4. The legs and feet of iron signified the Roman
empire. The Roman empire branched into ten kingdoms, as the toes
of these feet. Some were weak as clay, others strong as iron.
Endeavours have often been used to unite them, for strengthening
the empire, but in vain. The stone cut out without hands,
represented the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, which should
be set up in the kingdoms of the world, upon the ruins of
Satan's kingdom in them. This was the Stone which the builders
refused, because it was not cut out by their hands, but it is
become the head stone of the corner. Of the increase of Christ's
government and peace there shall be no end. The Lord shall
reign, not only to the end of time, but when time and days shall
be no more. As far as events have gone, the fulfilling this
prophetic vision has been most exact and undeniable; future ages
shall witness this Stone destroying the image, and filling the
whole earth.

#46-49 It is our business to direct attention to the Lord, as
the Author and Giver of every good gift. Many have thoughts of
the Divine power and majesty, who do not think of serving God
themselves. But all should strive, that God may be glorified,
and the best interests of mankind furthered.
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* Nebuchadnezzar's golden image. (1-7) Shadrach and his
companions refuse to worship it. (8-18) They are cast into a
furnace, but are miraculously preserved. (19-27) Nebuchadnezzar
gives glory to Jehovah. (28-30)

#1-7 In the height of the image, about thirty yards, probably is
included a pedestal, and most likely it was only covered with
plates o