The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 165

idol11try of that age WRS extremely tolerant. Every nation and people were all,,we<l to worship their own gods. If these Ohaldean satraps had cherished a spark of generosity iu their breasts, they would have argued thus : "These Hebrews have e. religious faith of their own. Let them worship what and how they please." But it is very probable lhRt these officious governors had themselves instigated the kina to 0 make this cruel decree, and had narrowly watched its effect upon the conduct of the Hebrew youths. Now they think they have caught them in a deadly snare. Now they will exaggerate their offence before the king. Now they will accuse them, not only of withholding homage from the new idol, but with dishonour to all Chaldea's gods-with utter contempt of the king himself. IV. ENVY IS BLIND IN FORECASTING RESULTS. These envious men proceeded upon the principle that they foresaw o.nd foreordered the course of events, Clearly it seemed to them, the series of events was as certain as the links in a chain. The king would be incensed. These Hebrew youths would be destroyed. Themselves would be promoted to honour. But though the first step was successful, and their whole plan seemed a.bout to bear its expected fruit, lo I miscarriage and disappointment I If they could succeed in circumventing and slaughtering these innocent men, they would have proceeded to accuse Daniel also. But the executors of the royal mandate were the only persons ale.in, The Hebrew youths enjoyed in the furnace the presence of a heavenly Companion and Guest, The God of the Hebrews re.:eived royal homage and public regard. The envious satraps were put to silence and to shame. v. ENVY IS UNBCBUPULOUB AB TO OTBEBS' BUFFERING. If only it can gain its paltry end, it cares not how much suffering of body and of mind it inflicts on others. They knew the.t the penalty decreed for non-compliance with the idolatrous practice was arbitrary e.nd cruel ; but what ea.red they ? They might have foreseen that if these three Hebrew notables should suffer death, it would be the beginning of fiery persecu- tion against the whole nation of Israel; but what cared they? Their pride and ambition were wounded by the elevation to office of these young Hebrews, and if they could only bring a.bout their rivals' downfall, they were unscrupulous what amount of suffering would befall the Hebrews. Envy has ever been a deadly foe to brotherly love.-D. Vers. 13-15.-.A critical alternative. The alternative which these young men were called to face was idolatry or death. The claimants for their loyalty were Nebuchadnezzar on the one hand, God on the other. The former appealed to all the selfish principles of their nature; the latter, to the moral Bense alone. Herein lies the crucial trial of human life. Shall God's voice be supreme? his authmity be dominant over every part of my nature, over every act of my life? Or, on the other hand, shall some other master prevail? On our answer to this question hangs our heaven and hell. I. AN .A.LTEBNATIVE OF CONDUCT. Much might have been said by a wily advocate to induce compliance with the demand of the king. He had not demanded that his subjects should abjure their loyalty to another god; they might, therefore, make a compromise by rendering this outward act of idolatry, while they reserved the true love and homage of their hearts for God. Were they not the subjects--yea, the captives -of this earthly prince? and did he not rule by Divine right? Had he not been their benefactor in raising them to honour? and would it not seem base ingratitude to resist? W e.s it not desirable to maintain a general uniformity, and not seem to countenance rebellion and irreligion? Would it not preserve the public peace, advance their own interests, and protect the fortunes of their co-exiles, if they would comply? It was but e. solitary act; God would readily condone it; it need not be repeated! Was it worth while to disturb the empire on so trivial a matter? Thus a thousand voices would whisper. But-- II. IT WAS AN .A.LTERNATIVE OF PRINCIPLE. Unless these Hebrews should a.et a falsehood, this deed of idolatry would be the visible expression of thdr belief. Out- ward nets a.re the proper fruits of inward conviction. A God-fearing man cannot bring forth the fruits of idolatry; neither can an idolatrous man bear the fruits of godliness. Serming compliance here would be sheer hypocrisy; and a.re these young Hebrews going to stamp themselves hypocrites? This was a judgment-day: these young men  128 THE BOOK OF DANIEL. [on. m. 1-30,