The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 269

is like o. lion, tbottgh, as years roll on, be at length acquires a man's heart-the sensi- bility of human tenderness. A second is like a leopard; yet so swift is ho for destruction, that the fleetneBB of the leopard fails to convey all tha truth; therefore four wings of a fowl are added to the symbol. A third is like a bear, intent only on tearing and consuming much flesh. A fourth destroyer of men is so fierce and death- breathing th11t not one of the savage beasts in nature can represent him. Ho ie n "beae( drcadful and terrible," having teeth of iron, It is rare that beasts of prey mnko war upon their own specie~ mnch less upon their own kindred. God has provided tho wildest beast with but two horns, to serve as woo.pons of defence; but this human monster was furnished with ten horns. One cannot but be struck with the singular i □ coogruities we meet with in this prophetic dream; yet even this fact is instructive. 'l'be wildest vagaries of the imagination are outstripped by tho moral inconcrrnities of hunrnn character and human conduct. ,Vbere shall we find an incongruity ~o strango as t\Jis-the wilful degradation of the man to a level lower than the untrained beasts? IY. GoD's l'RESE'!s"T REVELATIONS TO MEN ARE PAR1'LY ODSCURE, PARTLY CLEAR. "\Ve know only in part; hence we prophesy only in part." We may be sure that this nrrangement is best. It is an act of kindness and of wisdom on the part of God. It serves to stimulate inquiry on our part. We may learn from it to cherish humility, inasmuch as we are not at present competent to receive larger communicaUoneof God's will. Thankful ought we to be that we have enough knowledge of God's will for our practical guidance; and when we have worked up all this raw material into personal service, we shall obtain more. God "made known his ways unto Moses," but his acts only unto "the children of Israel." "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord." It is one of tbe attractions of the heavenly state, that fresh light will con- tinually be shed upon the past history of our race, as well as upon the wisdom of the Divine government.-D. Vers. 9-14.-The recil King-maker. The panorama which passed before Daniel's mind in the night-season did not terminate in a scene of confusion and misery. 'rhis scene of brutal ferocity occurs in the middle of a great tragedy, and leads on to a peaceful triumph of truth and righteousness. These inhuman kings were not master11 of the situation. One higher than they watched the moral chaos from his supernal throne, and, out of the tangled mass of conflicting ambitions and passions, brought a condition of permanent prosperity and peace. I. ODSEBVE THE DESCBIPTION OF me PERSON. He bas the appearance of venerable age-" the Ancient of days." These inhuman monsters were "but of yesterday; 11 and, knowing that their time was short, were eager to make for themselves a name, be tho Jnethods what they may. But the Ruler of the nations is "from everlasting." His years outnumber all the generations of men. Human tribes come and go; dynasties rise and fall; to him they are like the meteorological changes on an April day. Ile sits unmoved, the calm Monarch of the universe. His clothing, " white ae snow," betokens the immaculate righteousness of his administration. No intelligent being has ever detected the slightest blemish in his just and impartial sway. It is not consistent with his supreme dignity to give an account of his doings to human creatures, but to the extent that our moral iudgmente can comprehend his acts, we can join with the seraphim in the acclamation, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty;" "Just and trne are thy ways, thou King of saints." He is not an indifferent spectator of h=n affairs. He may be slow to anger, yet ie he the more sure to punish. " His throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire." Sin, lust, crime, of every sort, shall be swept from his domains with a fiery beso10; yea, all creatures who identify themselves with wickedness. Every force and element in nature is hie servant, aud a stream of fire issues from his feet. The earth, long stained with shameful crime, shall be purified, acd the saints shall emerge from the trial "ae gold that has been purified." Though long delayed, complete retribution shall in due time come, and the 01,pressed among the sons of men shall be publicly vindicated and honoured. . II. HI.S SPLENDID RETINUE. His army is not reckoned by thousands, but by myriads, T~e largest number known to the ancients is put for an indefinite number. Every- thrng that lives and breathes minister unto him. The orders and ranks of Ullfnllen on. v11. 1-~8.J 'l'IIE IlOOK OF DANIEL. -------------------------------- - - nngels are his· lieutennnts. At a single glance of his eye they fly on fleetest wfocr to fulfil hie Divine behests. One angel, with hie invisible sword, scattered and decim;ted the proud army of Sennacherib. An east wind discomfited Pharaoh'~ host. A few flakes of snow 11nnihilated the regiments of Napoleon. More than once a thunderstorm has defeated tho most valiant troops of warriors. The locust, one feeble branch of God's military retinue, has chased a whole nation: from the field. "To whom, then, shall we liken God?" And is not he a prodigious fool who challenges God to a con- test? "Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth; but woe to the man who strives with his Maker I" Filled with Divine courage, "one man shall chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight." III. His JUDICIAL OCCUPATION, "The judgrnent was set." This language does not refer exclusively to the final and general judgment of mankind. It refers especially to a present judgment, and a special adjudication touching the ambitious kings. The activity of God's mental judgment is never in suMpense. Judicial acts are always pro- ceeding. "For judgment," said Christ, "I am come into the world." Still, it is per- mitted us to think of state occasions, when public investigations are made, clear proofa of human guilt are adduced, and world-wide approval is given of Divine verdicts. "The books were opened," viz. the vo\ume of Divine Law, clearly read by men; the book of history; the book of memory; the book of conscience, The decision shall not be reached with unseemly haste. The investigation shall proceed under the superintendence of Wisdom herself, and her calm decisions can never be called in question. IV. His ROYAL AWARDS, 'l'he act of Divine judgment, which was present to the view of Daniel, was an act concerning the "great beast." He had been seized by God's detectives, and arraigned before the bar of heavenly justice. His last daring act of rebellion was that of speaking proud and defiant words against God. Thus the haughty oppressors of nations boast, "Our wills are our own: who is Lord over us?" But their discomfiture will be complete and overwhelming. The beast was slain. Life wa3 withdrawn. Nor this only. His body was destroyed. As he had consumed others, so, by a righteous retribution, he shall be consumed in the burning flame. Lesser penalties are imposed on the other beasts. Further opportunity of amendment is given to some. Dominion is forfeited., but life for a brief season is prolonged. Yet, in this heavenly assize, there are not only wrongs punished ; rights are vindicated. Obedience, excellence, merit, are commended, are exalted to the highest place. The human monarchs, who abused their sovereign trust, shall be dethroned-yea, destroyed; but in their place another shall arise-a King of righteousness, a pattern Prince. Instead of sa.vage beasts, there shall be, as King of nations, a Son of man-a man fresh from the hands of God. His innate glory shall be pa.rtly veiled, " He came in the clouds of hea.ven." His is no usurped authority. He does not take this honour of himself. He professes allegiance to the world's Ruler and Judge, and receives tbe kingdom at the ha.nds of God. "Angels and principalities and powers" delight to do him honour ; "they brought him near" the everlasting Father. The Son of man docs not disda.in to receive the kingdom from the Creator and Originator of all things. Beca.use of his meekness and righteousness (not because of muscular power and violence) the Son of ma.n receives investiture of univeraal sovereignty. Others, like Alexander aud 'l.'imour, had aspired to this, but they were not worthy. Real merit shall at lcugth rise to the surface, and rea.ch the topmost place. Before him " every knee shall bow," _either attracted by his grace or awed by his power. To him shall appertain, not a kingdom only, but transcendent glory, and dominion born of love. All nations and languages shall ultimately serve him, and his kingdom shall be durablo as eternity. Universality and permanency are the indelible marks of Messiah's empirc.-D. Vars. 15-28.-Godly obedience the basis of permanent dominion. Wisdom and righteousness are the qualities of a real king. Daniel, though not ambitious of a material sceptre, yet, by virtue of his weighty influence, swayed the destinies of the Babylonian empire. He ruled by an unpretentious grace. I. Gooo MEN ARE MORE CONCERNED FOR Goo's CAUSE THAN FOR ANY SELF• EXALTA'l'ION. Daniel was grieved in spirit, not because of personal ill, nor from fear 236 THE BOOK OF DANIEL. [en. vu. 1-28.