urging them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Sermons
I. IN THE SHADE. 1. The position. Although Daniel had been trained for distinguished services, pronounced by the king to excel all the magi (Daniel 1:20), he was forgotten by the king, ignored by his fellows of the magian college through jealousy, only discovered to share a common ruin. This was a picture of the trials of his whole career. Daniel the eminent had to contend with the jealousy of the mean. This spirit begot the attempt to cast his companions into the burning fiery furnace. Years after it throws him to the lions. So now the captain of the king's guard "sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. 2. The moral attitude. Daniel was ever animated by a sense of duty, and more by a readiness to serve those who either neglected or opposed him. 3. The providential call. At the critical moment God, in wisdom and love, supervened and intervened; broke the meshes of the confining net; and called the saint out into that ministry for which he was intellectually and spiritually fit, and also morally ready. II. AT THE KING'S GATE. 1. The calm spirit of Daniel. There was much to exasperate in the whole situation. Cruel death was impending. But Daniel lived high above events in a serene heaven of the soul, and was, therefore, prepared to come down into the incidents of life, and act with the best effect. 2. His use of means. To act well in great emergencies requires the coolness of spiritual wisdom. Daniel: (1) Had conference with Arioch. (2) Sent a respectful message to the king. (We understand that Daniel did not go himself, till later, actually into the presence of the king, but sent in the request by the proper officer.) 3. His success. This may be attributed especially to three causes, note specially the last: (1) The king's remembrance of Daniel. (2) The awakening of a great hope in the king's breast. (3) The hearts of men are in the keeping of God. III. WITH HIS OWN COMPANY. 1. The prayer. Here observe: (1) Daniel did not delay. He lost no time. He did not go to consult with the magi, whether there was anything in their art, in their books, that might be of use in the matter. With some men prayer is the last resort instead of the first. (2) Resolved to make the difficulty a matter of prayer. (3) Fell back into the soul fellowship to which he belonged. (ver. 17). (4) Seemed the power of united supplication. In the prayer itself the following specialities are suggestive: (1) It kept prominent the exalted supremacy of God. (2) It appealed to his mercies." (3) It went upon the principle of committing all that troubles us to God. (4) It concerned a great public interest. But (5) one in which the private safety of the petitioners was involved. 2. The prevalence. The all-important fact is that the prayer was answered. The answer was revealed either in a dream, or more probably in a waking vision of the night; and the vision was no doubt accompanied by a clear attestation of the truth of it. Can any one doubt the possibility of such revelation, who has realized to himself the nearness of the Eternal to the human mind? 3. The praise. This was: (1) Instantaneous. Daniel did not wait till he had verified the dream by audience with the king. As soon as ever he received the mercy, he was ready to praise. (2) Full. Matthew Henry puts it well. (a) Daniel gives to God the glory of what he is in himself. (b) Of what he is to the world of mankind. (c) Of this particular discovery. (3) Sympathetic. Friends were associated in the praise, as in the prayer. IV. IN THE KING'S CLOSET. Here we have Daniel, the living representative of what a true prophet should be. He is not only a type of him whom technically we call a prophet, but of every one who is for God the mouthpiece of vital truth to man. Before the king: 1. He sinks himself. (Ver. 30.) 2. He forgives personal adversaries. (Ver. 24.) 3. He is forward to put down all that exalts itself against God. (Ver. 27.) 4. He has a sense of the moment of his message. (Vers. 2:8, 29.) 5. He glorifies God. (Ver. 28.) - R.
That they would desire mercies of the God of Heaven. Daniel and his companions were all equally concerned, every man of them for his life, and therefore ought everyone to pray; but, being companions in every other respect, it became them also to keep company in prayer. The necessity was urgent. In the land of Judah they might have gone up together to the house of God, and sought counsel of the Lord by Urim and Thummim. There they would have had the assistance of the priest, but here there was no priest and no oracle. Prayer, without ceremonial, was all that could be presented at the mercy seat, but it was quite enough. Time had come for the people of God to learn that the Mosaic ceremonial was not only interrupted for seventy years, but that, after frequent interruptions and woeful desecrations, even at Jerusalem, it was soon to pass away. A little party of faithful persons already proved that not in Jerusalem only, but even in a strange land, God could be worshipped in spirit and in truth; that prayer, more fragrant than the purest incense, would rise acceptable to God, without priest, or thurible, or altar; that, just as Jonah sent up his cry out of the depths of the sea, and gained an instant hearing, so at any time, and at any place, the poor man might cry, and God would hear him, and send present help for his necessity. Thus did Divine Providence prepare the way for a higher dispensation, when that meeting for prayer in the house of Daniel should be followed by many other such gatherings of the people of God in the lands of their dispersion. So was prayer made for imprisoned Peter by brethren assembled in the house of Mark. So did Roman Christians resort to the Catacombs, and Italian Christians to the Alpine valleys, and good men of every land to secret chambers. Daniel, be it noted, began his public life with prayer, and hence it came to pass that, as was said of the prophet Samuel, not a word of his ever fell to the ground.(W. H. Rule, D.D.) Expository Times. I often think of the woman who was once asked by the governor of Surinam why she and her fellows always prayed together. Could not they do it each one for himself? He happened to be standing at the time before a coal fire, and the woman answered: "Dear sir, separate these coals from each other, and the fire will go out; but see how brisk the flame when they burn together."(Expository Times.) We may learn from this passage one principal means of Daniel's excellence. Daniel was a great character: one of those illustrious men whom God raises up in His church, at distant intervals, when He has great works to accomplish. The excellencies of such men are the gift of God. Yet, while gifts, they are generally nourished to their perfection by appropriate culture; and it is of importance for all men to mark and consider the influence under which such characters were reared. Now there can be no doubt that Daniel's prayerfulness, his habits of regular and frequent correspondence with God, had the greatest effect in fostering the excellencies of his character. Prayer did not give him his great intellect, for that was created with him; but prayer gave him wisdom, and self-denial, and fortitude, and true independence. We would, therefore, recommend prayer to all, and especially to the young, as a means of purifying, and elevating, and perfecting the character. It does this in a twofold way. It brings down the sanctifying influences of the Spirit into the mind. Frequent intercourse with God transforms the soul into His likeness. It fills the mind with a holy reverence that casteth out the fear of man. It begets confidence in all the Divine managements, which raises the soul above the fear of danger. It begets a sense of His favour, that sweetens the soul and keeps it in a healthful frame. All the great men of the church — prophets, reformers, martyrs — were brought up in the school of prayer.(William White.) Original Secession Magazine. I. IN EVERY DIFFICULTY WE SHOULD APPEAL TO GOD. Very serious was the position in which Daniel and his friends were placed, as well as the native wise men of Babylon. The demand of the king was altogether unreasonable. Only a despot could have made such a demand, and issued such a sentence because of the non-accomplishment of his will. By any human power the thing wanted was impossible of attainment; but Daniel knew where to find help. Full often had he and his companions repaired to the throne of grace; and it was easy for them, with full confidence in the Almighty arm, to visit that throne in the day of their distress.II. AND SINCE CHRIST JESUS IS TO REIGN OVER ALL, SHOULD WE NOT SEEK TO HAVE HIM AS OUR FRIEND? If we knew that some great earthly ruler was certain soon to be put in rightful possession of the kingdom in which we dwell, and if we had the means to acquire his favour, so that when his throne was erected amongst us, we should be his prime favourites, and during his life enjoy great riches and influence under him, I daresay we would earnestly employ these means to secure such a happy result. But Christ's Kingdom is not for a lifetime merely, but for ever. Of His government there shall be no end. His friends are all to he raised to regal eminence and power, and their glory shall never fade away; but His foes shall be driven from His presence, and reap eternally the just recompense of their rebellion. Is it not, then, worth while to cast aside everything that would hinder us from securing the favour of this King, immortal and eternal — nay, to sacrifice even our earthly life, rather than not make certain of His friendship? (Original Secession Magazine.) People Abednego, Arioch, Azariah, Belteshazzar, Daniel, Hananiah, Meshach, Mishael, Nebuchadnezzar, ShadrachPlaces Babylon, ShinarTopics Babylon, Companions, Compassion, Daniel, Desire, Destroy, Destroyed, Destruction, Executed, Fellows, Friends, Heaven, Heavens, Mercies, Mercy, Mystery, Perish, Plead, Question, Request, Rest, Secret, Seek, WiseOutline 1. Nebuchadnezzar, forgetting his dream, 5. requires it of the Chaldeans, by promises and threats. 10. They acknowledging their inability are judged to die. 14. Daniel obtaining some respite finds the dream. 19. He blesses God. 24. He staying the decree is brought to the king. 31. The dream. 36. The interpretation. 46. Daniel's advancement. Dictionary of Bible Themes Daniel 2:18Library The Image and the Stone'This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. 37. Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 38. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath He given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. 39. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Book and Tract Catalogue. Editor's Preface The Scattering of the People That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope Epistle Xliii. To Eulogius and Anastasius, Bishops. A Description of Heart-Purity The Wisdom of God The Wicked Husbandmen. The First Great Group of Parables. The Necessity of Regeneration, Argued from the Immutable Constitution of God. Letters of St. Bernard Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his Approaching Passion. Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus. The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a Pure Religion --First Disciples. The Gospel of the Kingdom. Daniel Links Daniel 2:18 NIVDaniel 2:18 NLT Daniel 2:18 ESV Daniel 2:18 NASB Daniel 2:18 KJV Daniel 2:18 Bible Apps Daniel 2:18 Parallel Daniel 2:18 Biblia Paralela Daniel 2:18 Chinese Bible Daniel 2:18 French Bible Daniel 2:18 German Bible Daniel 2:18 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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