The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 129

'!ho wiso general will dispose his forces well on tho battle-fielcl beforo h~ m~krs an onset. Danie]'s first step was to stay the hasty execution of the edict. llo callR into exorcise his well-disciplined wisdom. He uses his acquired standing in the realm to secure delay, He overlooks no point of precaution, He employs his just influence with the king to gain a temporary respite, He does not attempt to rea~on with tha monarch in his angry mood-that would be a. foolish enterprise. Be moderates bis dcma.nd so as to bring it within the compass of a possible success. Prudence is a step towards greater acquisitions. 2. There was united supplication. Daniel's heart was not excited with selfish ambition to secure the honour of a triumph for himself. Ifa ~ulicited the aid of his companions in this holy task, and addreeses them by their proper JewiBh names, which names reminded them that theirs was an accessible Deity. "Union is strength" in prayer, a.a much BII in toil. The lack of humility, or earnest- ness, or preseverance, in one may be supplied or may be promoted by another Combined fervour has special promises of success. "If two of you shall agree touching any ma.tter in my kingdom, it shall be granted unto you." 3. There wa.~ strong confidence in God. In a. spirit of calm and unquestioning confidence, Daniel assured the king "that he would show the king the interpretation." Already Daniel knew that in some wa.y the response would come. Unbelief might have whispered into his ear that Jehovah had never yet answered such a. request as this. Where, in the range of Jewish history, had it been recorded that the God of heaven had disclosed to one a. dream which ha.d lapsed from the memory of another? But faith would reply, "That objection is not to the point, There must be a first occasion, on which God will reveal his will to men on any matter. Let this be the.first instance of its kind. 'l'he request I make is not in itself wrong or improper. It is not hostile to the purity of God's nature. It does not spring from a selfish or carnal motive. My success will bring honour and homage to the true God. My petition must succeed. Has not Jehova.h said, by the mouth of David, our model king,' Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me'?" 4. There was becoming humility in the posture of their souls. "They desired merciea of the God of heaven." Daniel a.nd his fellow-suppliants presented no claim. They abandoned themselves to the abounding mercy of their God. In a word, they confessed personal unworthiness, and approached the heavenly throne a.a culprits suing for mercy. This is men's only chance of success. For, wanting all persona.I merit, they have no opportunity of feigning a false merit in Jehova.h's presence. With a glance of his eye he strips the veil of pretence from every suppliant, that while he rewards the contrite, he may dismay the proud and the hypocrite. "He requireth truth in the inward parts." The poor in spirit, he enriches ; the boastful rich, he empties. III. THE ORACULAR RESPONSE OBTAINED. "Then was the secret revealEd unto Da.niel in a night vision." In what particular wa.y this desired knowledge was imparted is not said. This is not important. Possibly the dream or vision of the king was reproduced before t~e imagination of Daniel, with the further disclosure of its significa- tion. But whatever was the modus operandi, it was done. Ascertained fact overrides all pre-assumed difficulties. The same God who permits us to have drea.ms a.t all can surely repeat the shadowy spectacle ; and if he is the sovereign Lord of men, he can certainly make known to intelligent minds his purposes respecting the future. "With God nothing is impossible." 1. The mode of deliverance resembled, inform, the cause of distreu. A dream was the occasion of Nebuchadnezzar's alarm-the occasion of the wise men's peril; a night vision was also the method of relief. Jacob's carnal struggle with Esau was his sin, and also his ground of anxiety; Jacob's midnight struggle with the hea.venly strimger was the source of his triumph. Serpents had bitten with death the Hebrews; by gazing on a brazen serpent, they a.re hea.led. The fruit of the forbidden tree wa.s the occasion of sin; the fruit "of the tree of life is for the healing of the nations." "By man came death; by man came also the resurrection from the dead." 2. The outcome was gratitude and gladness. "Then," without any lapse of time--" then," while the sense of benefit was fresh, "Daniel blessed the God of hea.ven." His faith was furnished with an additional proof that Israel's God was a real and living God; that he was accessible to the prayers of men; a.nd that he wa.s a Refuge in every hour of need. It is a blessed necessity that drives us to the throne of grace. As the frosts of winter prepare the soil for a more prolific harvest, so trouble, if rightly used: 90 TilE DOOK OF DANIEL. (cu. n. 1-40.