The Thinker Daniel 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, see, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me… It has been shown that Daniel's doctrine of the angels is to be found, much of it, in both the Old Testament and the New. The existence of the angels, their number, their nature and occupation, are all amply revealed in the Word of God. The text describes a mysterious contention; and the arrival of an invaluable ally. I. THE CONTENTION. 1. It has been a common belief that every man has an unseen attendant, a guardian angel. This guardianship appertains to man in his natural order. 2. This lesson appears to teach that not only individuals, but nations and kingdoms, have their angelic guardians. We see, behind the curtain, how spiritual beings are interested in, and seek to direct, the movements of nations. 3. The angel of the Persians, having their good first in view, would have detained the Jews in captivity, so that by their longer residence the heathen might gain some knowledge of the true God. 4. The angel of the Hebrews, on the other hand, urged their release and restoration to their own land, lest through long delay, they should be drawn aside from the worship of God to idolatry. 5. Some have gone further than this, and have thought that the angels are God's ministers which supply the motive force to the natural world. II. THE ALLY. "Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me." 1. There is a limit to angelic knowledge of what is God's will. 2. Michael is the guardian of the church. (see Jude 1:9, Mess. 4:16: Revelation 12:7). 3. Michael appears to have been the guardian angel of the Hebrews.Lessons, 1. The subject reminds us of the existence of an invisible world, which is interested in mankind. 2. There may be divergence of opinion and judgment upon matters about which the will of God has not yet been revealed, without sin or loss of charity. 3. As soon as the will of God is known, angelic contention at once ceases. 4. The thought of the presence of these spiritual beings, especially in our churches, may aid us to worship God, and quicken our perceptions of a supra-sensuous world, and of the majesty of him, whose name is "The Lord of Hosts." — (The Thinker.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. |
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