The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 213

the king's employ, but probably in some obscure position (eh. viii. 1, 27)-appearance 0f the queen-mother on the scene-Daniel called-the advent of the seer, now more than eighty-bad been sixty-eight years in Babylon. I'icture the tremendous scene, with a background or night, through which seen obscurely the action of the besieging 11rmy. I. To the sinner eooner or later comes A MOMENT OF AWAKING, It is somewhat hazardous to make a universal affirmative; but all we know of God and his dealings with men ju~ti6ee us in asserting that, sooner or later, God effectually aw:1.kcns every sinner to bis own condition and the Divine claim. 1. The means. (1) Words from God. Give breadth to the contents of this phrsse, whilst iusislin<7 on the fact that God 0ft appenls to sinners by giving a new setting and power t; Scripture words. The truth is to be impressed that be speaks variously to men-by aspects of nature providence, etc. (2) Accompanied by some evidence of the Divine. Along with th~ mystic characters the king saw "the fingers," but only the fingers. (3) But not all that woo.ld be possible. The hand, the arm, the whole form of the agent writing might have been discovered. The effect overwhelming. But, no I This ever like G,,d in all his dealings. No evidence of the Divine so overpowering as to shut the mind up to one irresistible conclusion. Nothing like mathematical demonstration. II so, where were the moral elements? This is nevertheless what sinners ask, and 'l\·bat God will not, cannot (respecting man's moral nature) grant. (4) 0oming wieh impressive undemonstrativeness. No vain show, or noise, or thunder, or lightning; no flaming sword! Only writing I "A still, small voice I" 2. The immediate effect. Note: (1) What it was. Terror. (2) Why it was. Nothing in the writing to alarm, so long as uninterpreted. The reason lay there in the king's own conscience, God set his own thonghts against the king. 3, The final end. Not necessarily judgment; the rather mercy. Nor do we know the warning wasted. Many who began the night in revelry may have been awed to penitence and prayer ere they slept the sleep that knows no waking. II. At such a moment HE MAY FLY FOB B.A.LVATIOlf TO TIIE INCOMPETENT, To look at matters in the light of modem experience, we may observe that the king fled for help to the scientists real or pretended. The following propositions may well be insisted on in our time: L &ienti.sts fall, into three classes. (Scientists, here, they who know.) (1) Those acquainted with things material. (2) Mental-things of the t/rox'II· Moral, spiritual-things of the rveiip.a. This classification may not be philosophically perfect, but can be" understanded of the people;" and is sufficient. 2. A false science i8 useless. Such was much of the magian learning. 3, A trw science avails only in its own sphere. A competent leader in natural philosophy or in psychology may be of no use in dealing with a conscience awakened and alarmed. Disregard of this in our modern life. Scientists of the first class (see above) do;:matizin'7 in both metaphysics and theology (Col ii. 18). 4. Man needs one wlw knows t,; moral nature, and its relation to God, and both lighted by special revelations. Such was Daniel-the Christ in Daniel (John i. 9; 1 Pet. i. 11)-the Christ of all the ages, and they who have his Spirit. III. BUT oNLY TO BE DRIVEN BACK ON Gov. In this case the king was con- strained to sel'k unto God in the presence of his representative Daniel.-R. Vers. 11, 12.-The representative of God. "There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods" (ver. 11). I. Soim OF ms CHABACTEBIBTlCB. 1. Intelligence. "Light, under~tanding, wisdom'' (ver. 11). 2. Eudlen-:,e of 1pirit. (Ver. 12.) 3. Faculty. (Ver. 12.) 4. Experiem:,e. Some achievement (ver. 12). 5. The indwelling of the Divine Bpirie. (Ver. 11.) IL A rossIBLE POSITION. 1. Oomparative obscurity. 2. Even after years oJ distinguisl.ed service. III. THE CERTAIN CALL. When God wants a man, he is sure to call (by provi- dence, by hiB Spirit); and when he calls, man mlll!t answer.-R. Ver. 16.-~ dissolving of doubt. "I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts," ete. A most important subject (not growing err. v. 1-31.] THE BOOK OF DANIEL. li9