Vers. 19-28.-The tables turned. If human law and human authority arc impotent to save an innocent man from death, the unseen but supreme Monarch will appear upon the scene, and will vindicate the cause of injured innocence. The c,ilculations of human sagacity often prove false. One factor is omitted, which entirely vitiates the result. Just ae the ruffian is about to seize his prize, a judicial hand is laid upon him, and completely defeats his project. The victor is vanquished; the biter bitten. J. WE HAVE PRESENTED TO US HERE NOBLE ACTIVITY IN THE PLACE OF rnDOLENT EASE. The craft of these base politicians was too short-sighted. Within reach of success, they were doomed to ignominious failure. Fortunately for the interests of justice, the king awoke to the deceit that was practised on him. At once he shook off his lethargy, applied such mental energy as he had to the business of the state, and searched in every direction for an expedient to save Daniel. Now that the king has discovered the treacherous design of his princes, all bis wits are summoned to meet craft by craft. No effort shall be left untried by which his trusty aud noble servant may be saved. He will no longer be a pliant tool in the hands of others, but a master of his own destinies. The hour was critical for Babylon, and Darius rose to the high demands of the occasion. King he will be yet. II. THE GUILTY PUNISHED IN THE PLACE OF THE INNOCENT. Darius perceived that it would be perilous to abrogate, in unseemly haste, an edict so lately made. It would weaken the force of all imperial laws. It would loosen the bands of loyalty. It would arouse the sleepless hostility of bis captains and princes. He had heard strange reports of the power of Daniel's God to save in times of danger. He believes that the same God will rescue now. The penalty which Daniel had incurred was that he should be cast into the den of lions. The edict did not say that he should be left there to die. 'l'he king's decree wonld have been fulfilled if Daniel had spent an hour or less amid the caged beasts. .All through that dismal night the king had taken counsel of himself. Desiring, on this occasion at least, to do for Daniel all that justice and good will could devise, we cannot doubt that his mind came under the influence of the Divine Spirit. The selfsame God who, through that long night, was giving Daniel courage to control and subdue the lions' rage was also conveying wisdom to Kiug Darius. At earliest dawn the king goes in person to the den, and finds faith in God honoured, human malice frustrnted. The king's edict had been observed to tho letter. But there was an authority, appertaining to the king, beyond "·hat was embodied in law. He held in his hnnd the lives of aU his subjects. It is clear as noonday that these envious statesmen had basely deceived the king. Under cover of bringing him honour, they thought only of glutting their own malice, and robbing the slate of its best servant. It was nothing less than a murderous con- spiracy. They were as guilty of murder as if Daniel had died. Justice plainly demanded that summary retribution should follow; and at once these crafty lords were con8ignerl to the death they had prepared for Daniel. Every man shall receive the due reward of his deeds. III. GoD :MAGNJFIED INSTEAD OF BEING lllSCREDITED. Profane men thought to use God only as a tool in order to gain their nefarious end. If God was defrauded of his daily tribute of praise, V(hat cared they? If humble souls were deprived of guidance 206 THE BOOK OF DANIEL. [cu. vu. 1-28.
and pa.rdon and heaven, what heeded they, eo long as they could lay murderous hands on Daniel? But will men rob God with impunity? Be well nssured that God oau defend his own l The opposition of vain men shall only advance his cause. The 11ltcrupt to gag the mouth of prayer Rh11\l make even kings vocal in God's pmisc. '''hen pompous statesmen league themselves against him," he that sitteth in tho heavens shall laugh." The proposal was that e.11 prayer should cease for the space of thirty days. The effect was that Jehovah WI\S proclaimed as the True and Mighty all through the Persian empire; and a wider effect has been that God has been more honoured and trusted all the world over. "His Name shall endure for ever;" "'l'o him all flesh shall come." IV. Tm;; ELEVATION OF THE MAN WBOK MALICE BOUGHT TO DEPRESS. These worldly wise stat~men felt that Daniel was a superior man to themselves. They couhl not expect promotion so long as they had to compete with him. Hence they resolved that what they could not gain by fair means they would gain by foul means. But they reckoned without their host. It ea.ma to pass that they were degraded, aud that D,miel was advanced. True merit will, sooner or later, find its fitting level! Now that these grasping placemen a.re removed frolll the empire, there is all the more room for Daniel-the more need for an able and trusty councillor. Step by step he rises in favour and in influence. His increasing power brings advantage to the captive tribes of Israel. The sunshine of hia prosperity lends brightness to tlieir fallen fortunes. 'l'hey, too, begin to lift up the head. This event becomes another step in the way of Israel's rest-oratic•n. .And Daniel rises to the enjoyment of a reputation which is world-wide and immortal. "He shines as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stani for ever and ever."-D.