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Daniel Chapter
Ten
Daniel 10
Chapter Contents
Daniel's vision near the river Hiddekel. (1-9) He is to
expect a discovery of future events. (10-21)
Commentary on Daniel 10:1-9.
(Read Daniel 10:1-9.)
This chapter relates the beginning of Daniel's last
vision
which is continued to the end of the book. The time would be long before
all would be accomplished; and much of it is not yet fulfilled. Christ appeared
to Daniel in a glorious form
and it should engage us to think highly and
honourably of him. Let us admire his condescension for us and our salvation.
There remained no strength in Daniel. The greatest and best of men cannot bear
the full discoveries of the Divine glory; for no man can see it
and live; but
glorified saints see Christ as he is
and can bear the sight. How dreadful
soever Christ may appear to those under convictions of sin
there is enough in
his word to quiet their spirits.
Commentary on Daniel 10:10-21
(Read Daniel 10:10-21)
Whenever we enter into communion with God
it becomes us
to have a due sense of the infinite distance between us and the holy God. How
shall we
that are dust and ashes
speak to the Lord of glory? Nothing is more
likely
nothing more effectual to revive the drooping spirits of the saints
than to be assured of God's love to them. From the very first day we begin to
look toward God in a way of duty
he is ready to meet us in the way of mercy.
Thus ready is God to hear prayer. When the angel had told the prophet of the
things to come
he was to return
and oppose the decrees of the Persian kings
against the Jews. The angels are employed as God's ministering servants
Hebrews 1:14. Though much was done against the
Jews by the kings of Persia
God permitting it
much more mischief would have
been done if God had not prevented it. He would now more fully show what were
God's purposes
of which the prophecies form an outline; and we are concerned
to study what is written in these Scriptures of truth
for they belong to our
everlasting peace. While Satan and his angels
and evil counsellors
excite
princes to mischief against the church
we may rejoice that Christ our Prince
and all his mighty angels
act against our enemies; but we ought not to expect
many to favour us in this evil world. Yet the whole counsel of God shall be
established; and let each one pray
Lord Jesus
be our righteousness now
and
thou wilt be our everlasting confidence
through life
in death
at the day of
judgment
and for evermore.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Daniel》
Daniel 10
Verse 2
[2] In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
Was mourning — Because he foresaw the many
calamities that would befall the Jews for their sins
especially for destroying
the Messiah
and rejecting his gospel.
Verse 4
[4] And in the four and twentieth day of the first month
as
I was by the side of the great river
which is Hiddekel;
The first month — Nisan
which is March.
Hiddekel — Or Tigris.
Verse 5
[5] Then I lifted up mine eyes
and looked
and behold a
certain man clothed in linen
whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
A certain man — Very probably Christ
who
appeared to Daniel in royal and priestly robes
and in so great brightness and
majesty.
Verse 12
[12] Then said he unto me
Fear not
Daniel: for from the
first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand
and to chasten thyself
before thy God
thy words were heard
and I am come for thy words.
He — Not Christ
but Gabriel.
Verse 13
[13] 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.
Withstood me — God suffered the wicked counsels
of Cambyses to take place awhile; but Daniel by his prayers
and the angel by
his power
overcame him at last: and this very thing laid a foundation of the
ruin of the Persian monarchies.
Michael — Michael here is commonly supposed to mean Christ.
I remained — To counter-work their designs
against the people of God.
Verse 15
[15] And when he had spoken such words unto me
I set my face
toward the ground
and I became dumb.
I set my face — I prostrated myself upon the
earth.
And I became dumb — Thro' astonishment.
Verse 16
[16] And
behold
one like the similitude of the sons of men
touched my lips: then I opened my mouth
and spake
and said unto him that
stood before me
O my lord
by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me
and I
have retained no strength.
One like the sons of men — This likewise seems
to have been Gabriel.
I have retained no strength — Tho' he appeared to
him
and spake to him as a man
yet Daniel could not bear his presence
without
some dread.
Verse 20
[20] Then said he
Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee?
and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone
forth
lo
the prince of Grecia shall come.
To fight — To oppose his mischievous designs.
Verse 21
[21] But I will shew thee that which is noted in the
scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things
but
Michael your prince.
Michael — Christ alone is the protector of his church
when all
the princes of the earth desert or oppose it.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Daniel》
The Vision Of The Time Of The End - I (10:1-11:1)
INTRODUCTION
1. As mentioned in previous lessons
the second half of Daniel contains four visions... a. The vision of the four beasts - Dan 7:1-28 b. The vision of the ram and the goat - Dan 8:1-27 c. The vision of the seventy weeks - Dan 9:1-27 d. The vision of the time of the end - Dan 10:1-12:13 -- In which God reveals to Daniel many things about His purpose and plan in history
regarding the nation of Israel everlasting kingdom to come 2. In the tenth chapter
therefore
we find the beginning of the final vision recorded by Daniel... a. A vision that pertains to what will affect Daniel's people (i.e.
Israel b. Describing what will occur "in the latter days
for the visionrefers to many days yet to come" - Dan 10:14
c. Its words were to be closed and sealed "till the time of the end" - Dan 12:9 -- For such reasons this vision has been called "The Vision Of TheTime Of The End"
3. But what is meant by the expression "the time of the end"? a. Is it the end of time as we think of it
when Christ returns? b. Or does it refer to the end of God's dealings with Israel covenant nation? [As we seek to address this and other questions raised in thisdifficult portion of Scripture
we first notice...] I. THE APPEARANCE OF A GLORIOUS MAN
A. THE DATE AND SETTING OF THE VISION... 1. It occurred in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia 24th day of the first month (ca. 535 B.C.) - Dan 10:1
4 2. Daniel had been in mourning (fasting) for three weeks - Dan10:2 3
3. He was beside the Tigris river - Dan 10:4 B. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE GLORIOUS MAN... 1. Daniel saw a certain man - Dan 10:5-6 a. Clothed in linen
whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz b. With a body like beryl c. His face like lightning
his eyes like torches of fire d. His arms and feet like burnished bronze in color e. His words like the voice of a multitude 2. Only Daniel saw the vision - Dan 10:7 a. The men with him did not b. They fled with great terror to hide themselves 3. The impact on Daniel - Dan 10:8-9 a. Without strength
his vigor turned to frailty (he was probably in his nineties!) b. When he heard the sounds of the man's words
Daniel was in a deep sleep with his face to the ground [The similarity between this "certain man" and John's vision of the Sonof Man (cf. Re 1:12-17) have led many to wonder if this was aChristophany (an appearance of the preincarnate Christ); but he mayhave been only an angel. As we continue
we next read of...] II. THE CONVERSATION WITH THE GLORIOUS MAN
A. THE MAN'S INITIAL WORDS TO DANIEL... 1. A hand touches Daniel
causing him to tremble - Dan 10:10 2. The man addresses Daniel - Dan 10:11 a. Calling him "man greatly beloved" - cf. Dan 9:23; 10:19 b. For Daniel to understand
and to stand up c. For the man has been sent to Daniel -- Daniel stands up
but trembling 3. The man comforts Daniel - Dan 10:12 a. Telling him not to fear b. That he has come because of Daniel's humility
and desire to understand 4. The man explains the reason for the delay - Dan 10:13 a. The prince of the kingdom of Persia twenty-one days (the same time during which Daniel had been in mourning - cf. Dan 10:2-3) 1) Spiritual warfare seems to have been taking place (cf. Re 12:7; Ep 6:12) 2) The "prince" (angel?) of the kingdom of Persia withstanding him - cf. Dan 11:1 b. But Michael came to help him who had been left alone with the kings of Persia 1) Michael is described as "one of the chief princes" 2) Later he is called "your prince" and "the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people" - Dan10:21; 12:1
3) Jude calls him "the archangel"
who contended with the devil over the body of Moses - Ju 9 -- Michael appears to have served as the guardian of the nation of Israel 5. But now the man has come make Daniel understand - Dan 10:14 a. What will happen to his people (Israel b. What will occur "in the latter days"
"many days yet tocome"
-- From what follows
the expression "latter days" appears to refer to the time leading up to the coming of the Messiah and into the Messianic period (Harkrider) - cf. Dan 2:28;Ac 2:16-17
B. DANIEL IS STRENGTHENED... 1. Daniel is initially speechless - Dan 10:15-17 a. With his face turned to the ground b. But one with "the likeness of the sons of men" touched his lips (some think this may have been Gabriel
who had helped Daniel before - Dan 8:16) c. Daniel can now speak
but is overwhelmed with sorrow and without strength 2. Daniel is strengthened - Dan 10:18-19 a. By the touch of the one having the likeness of a man b. By the words bestowing love
peace and courage c. Ready now to hear what he has to say C. THE MAN RESUMES HIS WORDS WITH DANIEL... 1. Though he must soon return - Dan 10:20 a. To fight with the prince (angel?) of Persia b. To deal with the prince (angel?) of Greece 2. Yet he will tell Daniel what is noted in the Scripture of Truth - Dan 10:21-11:1 a. Adding that only Michael helps him against them (the angelic princes of Persia and Greece b. Adding that he had confirmed and strengthened him (Michael?) in the first year of Darius the Mede CONCLUSION
1. At this point (Dan 11:2)
"The Vision Of The Time Of The End" begins in earnest... a. Describing what will happen "in the latter days" b. Referring to what will occur "many days yet to come" -- Which we shall examine when we resume our study in the next lesson 2. In these introductory remarks of the vision
we find a glimpse of the spiritual warfare that was going on "behind the scenes"... a. With angelic forces withstanding each other - Dan 10:13a
20 b. With angelic forces helping each other - Dan 10:13b
21; 11:1 c. With Michael introduced to Daniel as: 1) "one of the chief princes" - Dan 10:13 2) "your prince" - Dan 10:21 3) "the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people" - Dan 12:1 While there is little we truly know about this "spiritual warfare"
andto what extent it may be going on today
perhaps our study willencourage us to take more seriously Paul's words: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood
but against principalities
against powers
against the rulers of the darkness of this age
against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." "Therefore take up the whole armor of God
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day
and having done all
to stand." - Ep 6:12-13
What are we doing to take up the armor of God
that we might be strongin the Lord and in the power of His might (cf. Ep 6:10-18)?
－－《Executable
Outlines》
10 Chapter 10
Verses 1-21
In the third year of Cyrus.
The Vision on the Banks of the Hiddekels
The law of gradual development seems to pervade the government of
God
and may be treated alike in the material and spiritual departments of his
administration. The revelation which God has given to men has grown into its
completeness. The primal promise to our common parents in paradise
was the
first faint ray that emanated from the common sun of righteousness; but as the
morning of the race wore on
that solitary beam expanded
through the Abrahamic
covenant
the Mosaic economy and the prophetic writings
unto at length
foreheralded by the Baptist as the morning star
the Divine luminary arose
“with healing m his wings.” What was thus characteristic of revelation as a
whole is equally apparent in the communications made to individual prophets.
Daniel
in this wonderful series of predictions
goes on from the general to
the particular
and brings in at every stop new details by which accuracy may
be tested
and by which
if his writings stand the ordeal which they have
themselves prepared
his inspiration may be abundantly established. The date of
the present revelation was the third year of Cyrus
King of Persia. This
therefore
is the last communication which he gave to his people
and the last
glimpse which we get of himself. He had not set out
probably on account of his
extreme old age
with the exiles who returned to Jerusalem after the issuing of
the edict of Cyrus. The testimony of tradition is that Daniel died at Susa . .
. This description of the conflicts in the spirit-world between the rival
angels foreshadows the opposition encountered by Zerubbabel
Ezra
Nehemiah
and their compatriots during the reigns of the Persian kings
Darius
Hystaspis
Xerxes
and Artaxerxes
and also that which
at a later time
the
descendants of the restorers of Jerusalem met with at the hands of the Syrian
representatives of the Greek Empire. The prophecy in the eleventh chapter may
be divided into three parts
increasing in circumstantiality as they advance.
There is first
a brief description of the Persian and the Greek Empires; then
a sketch of the more important events in the struggles between the kings of
Syria and Egypt; and third
a detailed and minute account of the character and
actions of Antiochus Epiphanes . . . It remains that I should look for a moment
at the opinion of those who believe that we have in this prediction a reference
to the Antichrist of the New Testament as well as to Antiochus. For such an
idea we can find no sure foundation. There is nothing in the chapter to
indicate that a transition from one subject to another has been made. Some
refer the prophecy to the Papacy; but it is a question not yet settled whether
the papacy really is the Antichrist of the New Testament. Learn from this
portion
1. That God prepares his people for special trial by special grace.
His assistance is ever beforehand with our emergency. The relation of this
portion of God’s word to the circumstances of the people under Antiochus is
precisely that of all his promises to our trials
temptations
and necessities.
Every promise of God is a prophecy.
2. That faith in the Invisible is essential to our getting the full
benefit of Scripture. Much may be gained from it in history and in morals
even
if we should repudiate everything that is supernatural in its pages. To obtain
the utmost benefit from its words
we must accept its revelation of that which is
hidden from mortal sight. The promises of Jesus are not to us like the legacies
of one long dead. They are the assurances of a living and present
though
unseen friend
and when so accepted they are full of power. The Bible will be
to us no better than the moral maxims of Antoninus or Epictetus
unless we
receive its revelation of the unseen in connection with its forecasts of
prophecy and promise. (William M. Taylor
D..D.)
Verse 3
I ate not pleasant bread.
Intense religion
About a hundred years ago
a man of God thus wrote in his diary: “I
was enabled to persevere in prayer till I saw so much need of Divine help
that
I knew not how to leave off
and had forgot I needed food.
D. Brainerd.” Strange intensity of desire! He who felt it must
have been far above most Christians of our age. Who of us could thus record the
longings of his soul? We feel that this is reality. There is no insobriety or
wild excitement here. All is calm and deep. We are listening to the utterances
of a soul that has got into conscious contact and vital fellowship with God;
and who
in the profound enjoyment thus entered on
has lost the consciousness
of this outer world in which he is still a dweller. Happy saint! Who would not
tread thy footsteps
and thus get as competely within the veil as thou! All thy
religion was amid realties and certainties. There was no distance
no dimness
no vagueness in thy intercourse with the Father of Spirits. How much of our
religion is made up of shadows and incoherencies! how much of our intercourse
with God is vague and distant; a groping after something which we seem never to
reach
instead of being living
personal
conscious intercourse between our
souls and God! (The Study.)
Verse 7
And I
Daniel
alone saw the vision.
Visions for one’s self alone
Many and many of these men whom we see plodding on in their dusty
ways are travelling with visions in their souls. Nobody knew it but themselves
and God. Once years ago they saw a light. They knew it
only for a moment
what
companionships
what attainments
they were made for! That light has never
faded. It is the soul of good things which they are doing in the world to-day.
It makes them sure when other men think their faith is gone. It will be with
them to the end
until they come to all it prophesies. (Phillips Brooks.)
The Divine Fellowship of Loneness
The events here recorded are among the more advanced and elevated
experiences of this man of God. The Lord is showing him things which are to
take place; and in order to prepare him as the exponent of the divine purposes
he is raised into a supra-mundane state of soul.
I. THE SCENE: “the vision.”
We have no positive data for speaking dogmatically as to what may be the
composition of the visible nature of angels. We associate them with spiritual
orders of God’s creatures; but as to man
he has a dual nature; within
spirit;
without
a material body. In the wise and gracious purposes of our God
He has
seen fit to take man into His counsels
and to make known to him His purposes.
Taking
as we must
a broad view of this interesting fact
the Almighty uses a
variety of means for communicating His mind and intentions to the children of
men. The colours and forms
the harmonies and utilities of nature of imaging
and voicing through the senses the wisdom
power and beneficence of God. The
potent impact of the Spirit’s influence upon the mind of prophet and apostle
has furnished us with the inimitable truths of this great book
the Bible
which infinitely surpasses the best productions of the human intellect. In
dreams
when deep sleep has fallen upon men
hath the Lord made Himself known to
and encouraged His faithful servants. Visions too
have their place among the
methods of revealing. Dreams and visions evidently belong to the same class of
phenomena; and yet are there not shades of difference? Dreams are what come to
us when we are asleep; visions come oftentimes in moments of waking. In dreams
men have had the symbols of things; in visions
the things themselves. Visions
evidently belong to a higher and more direct order of celestial manifestation.
Visions seem to hold in mysterious suspension the ordinary processes of thought
and feeling
unfolding to the mind new worlds of knowledge. We have all read
those marvellous visions of Old Testament history: Isaiah standing with
speechless awe before the vision of God; Ezekiel encircled in the vast and
wondrous region of visionary mystery
now looking into hidden chambers of
abomination
then with seer-like eye peering among apparently conflicting
wheels. Daniel sees in vision things which are to be. In this supreme fact we
have the significance and symbol of life. Situated as we are in the midst of
vast circles and orders of beings and ideas
all true life
which is
essentially progressive
is made up of “visions”; and by these we attain the
true “ascent of man
” passing up from shadows into light
and from the unknown
to the known. A life of progress is one of constant waking. So far as the
things of to-morrow and the knowledge of the future are concerned
we are now
asleep. The hopes of future good which we now cherish are foreshadowing dreams
the dawning of these hoped for events are visions brightening things up to
blessed realities. Thus we live and grow. Men are somewhat in the habit of
pooh-poohing dreams
and of relegating visions to the region of superstitious
fancies or even imbecile hopes. All the truth
however
is not with such men
nor all wisdom either. I say
dream on
only see to it that your dreams are
pure and true
and be careful that your visions take their light from above.
The purest ascent of life is often adumbrated by visions of hope and longing;
and as we exercise faith and put forth effort
they crystallize into shape and
become real possessions. God gives us visions of what we may be; by them we are
roused to search and make inquiry
and then to believe; and so visions of a
free spirit and a clean heart which the Lord gave us yesterday become our norms
of character and life to-day. Note a few points in Daniel’s vision. It appears
he was reduced to a very low state so far as enjoyment was concerned. Luxurious
food
and exhilarating drinks were put away (verse 3). Visions do not generally
come in fulness of body. It is when the physical is chastened that the
spiritual ascends. It was when Peter was hungry that he had the vision which
prepared the way for his visit to the Gentiles. Daniel saw a certain man (verse
5). This could be none other than the Christ
as we may gather from Revelation 1:13; Revelation 1:15
where he appears in
similar form to John at Patmos. He was “clothed in fine linen
” as the high
priest was on the day of Atonement
thus showing that He is the High Priest of
our Profession. “Whose loins are girded with fine gold.” “Girded” ready for
work. “With fine gold
” proof that everything of Christ is best
and that the
best of everything is all too unworthy of Him. We have also a description of
His form. “‘Body like the beryl
” a precious stone of an azure colour. “His face
as the appearance of lightning
” a terror to evil-doers. “Eyes as lamps
’
seeing all things. “His arms and His feet like in colour to polished brass
”
prophetic of the brightness and power of the message of His gospel. “The voice
of His words like the voice of a multitude.” The words of this new life are
destined to overcome and supersede all other systems.
II. THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
“alone.” In this remarkable experience and wondrous manifestation Daniel was
alone. No other eye could follow this brilliant unfolding of God. Looking at
this fact superficially there may occur a feeling of sadness; but looked at
more deeply
it is seen to be inevitable. As every man has personality and
individuality
so has he his loneness. While there are affinities or connecting
links between man and man
there are dividing lines between all the individuals
composing the human family. Science teaches that between every two particles of
matter
even in the hardest substance there is space; in like manner between
men there are bridgeless gulfs
so that the one cannot pass over to the other.
While this is true of the general mass of men
it is more strikingly manifest
in the higher forms and better conditions of mind and spirit. Best men and men
at their best must needs be alone. He who progresses rapidly and soars loftily
must be alone
inasmuch as he leaves the multitude behind. How true this is in
the growth of intellect and the enlargement of heart
in the constraints of
love and the sublimities of faith! He who waits on others will find progress
slow work. In the larger commonwealth of intellectual and moral life God deals
with the man
not with the mass. The individual stands directly related
and
personally responsible
to his Maker; and in proportion to his realization of the
possibilities of his own being will he be alone. The thinking man climbs
heights and reaches lofty peaks at the far down foot of which lie panting the
mass of puny men. The man of close communion with God and self and truth basks
in a light that would dazzle to blindness men of weaker vision. Much of best
life must be lived in “splendid isolation.” The world’s great reformers and
deep thinkers have lived alone
because they have been far in advance of their
own age. While there may be the loneness of weakness and eccentricity
still
in the main
lone souls are rendered such by their superiority and by the
revelations they receive from the “Father of lights.” The Bible furnishes us
with striking examples. Mark the happy oblivion and lofty loneness of Enoch who
walked with God
and he was not for God took him.” Note the elevation of Joseph
in those prophetic dreams which excited the jealous ire of his brethren. Alone
Elijah stood on Mount Carmel
and discomfited the prophets of Baal. Alone Paul
was caught up into the third heaven. Alone John witnessed the prophetic visions
of Patmos. Alone
aye
alone! down in the depths of His great soul Christ
sorrowed and suffered
wept and sighed
bled and died. Alone He trod the
winepress of the wrath of God. Thus “alone” are wrought out and made manifest
the highest intents of the holiest purposes of our supreme moral Ruler. Have we
not here
by implication at least
a word of caution? We are so prone to
censure if not condemn all who do not conform to our pattern of thought.
Christianity
brotherliness
and forbearance will prompt a tender consideration
for such persons. As Daniel was left “alone” when the “vision came
” I gather
that in the ordinary routine of life he had companionship; but in the supremely
extraordinary
when he stood in the midst of the splendour of vision
he was
“alone.” So men in the ordinary littlenesses and the common superficialities of
small living may find plenty of fellows
but when they step up into the light
of God and see “Visions
” they are left “alone.” It may be that you are
exercised in mind from similar considerations
and you wonder why God has made
you so much unlike the rest of mankind. You wish you could be as others are.
Foolish desire! As wise for the eagle to wish it were an ostrich
or the lark
to covet the blinking sombreness of the owl! Take your apportionment and even
your peculiarity from God
and be not discontented nor discouraged with
yourself. I observe here that the souls light
purity and power
consist in
communion with God. Daniel lived in intimate fellowship with the Almighty.
Hence he was conditioned for receiving a vision; and while less devout and less
noble souls were unfitted for a new revelation and unprepared for s new truth
and terrified at a brighter light
he had a mind and heart adapted to the
improved conditions which came with the “vision
” and stood unflinchingly amid
this unearthly brightness. Thank God! heaven is not far removed into the dim
distances of remotest space
but is nigh
even here
to the devout and reverent
believer. Oh! had we pure hearts
spiritual minds
single eyes
and right
spirits
we should find ourselves in the midst of heavenly surroundings. Be it
ours to seek a loftier place
a fuller life
and “a closer walk”; then shall we
have “visions” and experience days of heaven upon earth. (M. Brokenshire.)
Verse 11
O Daniel
a man greatly beloved.
Character of Daniel
Of those whose characters are recorded for our imitation
few
if
any
will be found superior to Daniel. He is almost the only eminent saint in
Scripture of whom no fault is recorded. Nor was his character for goodness
merely of the negative kind. We find him once and again addressed as a man
peculiarly dear to God. Nothing is more indispensable to the welfare of all
creatures
than the favour of their Creater. Hence it becomes a matter of
infinite importance for us to know how this privilege is to be attained. The
first thing in Daniel’s character which deserves our attention is his early
piety. Another is the caution
zeal
and resolution he displayed
in keeping
himself unspotted from the world. This
the apostle informs us
is an essential
part of pure and undefied religion. A third trait is the holy indifference and
contempt with which he looked down on worldly honour
wealth
and applause. It
is true he obtained both riches and honours; but it is no less true that he
never sought them. Observe also
his exemplary piety and devotion. He was
emphatically a man of prayer. He never pleaded as an excuse for neglecting this
duty
that his body was too much wearied
and his mind too much perplexed by
constant care and fatigue
to perform it. In addition to his daily prayer
he
frequently set apart seasons for more special attention to this duty. Another
trait in the character of this eminent saint
was his strong faith
and
confidence in God. None truly pray
but those whose faith is strong and lively.
Profound humility
and a consequent disposition to give the glory to God
is
another trait. This appears in his concessions and praises. And further
his
religion was habitual
uniform
consistent and lasting. He was always the same.
He inflexibly followed the path of duty. Improvement; learn
1. How religion dignifies and ennobles our nature
when it is
entertained in its power and purity. Compare Daniel with the nobles
princes
and great ones of Babylon.
2. Do you possess a similar character Let me urge you to imitate the
conduct of Daniel. (E. Payson
D.D.)
Daniel’s Band
It did not do Daniel any harm to know that he was greatly beloved
of God; or else he would not have received that information from heaven. Some
people are always afraid that
if Christian people obtain full assurance
and
receive a sweet sense of divine love
they will grow proud
and be carried away
with conceit. Do not you have any such fear for other people
and especially do
not be afraid of it for yourselves. I know of no greater blessing that can
happen to any man and woman
than to be assured by the Spirit of God that they
are greatly beloved of the Lord. The knowledge that we are greatly beloved of
God
instead of doing us harm
will be a means of blessing in many ways. If you
know of a surety
that you are a man greatly beloved of God
you will become
very humble. You will say
“How could God ever love me?” A sense of God’s love
will also excite in you great gratitude. “Oh!” you say
“how can I repay the
Lord for such an amazing favour?” When we feel how much we owe
then we seek to
know the will of God
and take a delight in doing it. This will also consecrate
us. I believe that
to know certainly that you are greatly beloved of God
will
make you feel that you cannot live as others do. You cannot trifle with sin. He
who lives in the heart of the king must be faithful to him. A sense of divine
love will also strengthen us. What is there that a man cannot do when he is in
love even with one of his own race; but when he gets to be in love with God
and knows of a certainty that he is greatly beloved of God
he would cut his
way through a lane of devils
he would face an army of angels
and defeat them
all; for love is a conquering grace. Moreover
this assurance of God s love
will make
us very courageous. If thou art a man greatly beloved
and thou
knowest it
thou wilt be a brave man. This will make a man glad. If we are
greatly beloved of God
how can we be miserable and discontented? Oh
no! If
you are a man greatly beloved
you will trip with light feet over the hills of sorrow.
Some seem to think that a state of doubt is a state of discretion. It is a
state of folly. Full assurance of the faithfulness and truthfulness of God is
nothing but common-sense spiritualized.
I. First
then
let us consider THE CASE OF DANIEL
who was “a man
greatly beloved.” Because Daniel was greatly beloved of God
he was early
tried
and enabled to stand. While he was yet a youth
be was carried into
Babylon
and there he refused to eat the king’s meat
or to drink the king’s
wine. “I must stand fast
even in the smallest matter
in keeping to the law of
the Lord my God.” If thou art enabled to do that
thou art a man greatly
beloved. Afterwards
Daniel was greatly envied
but found faultless. He was
surrounded by envious enemies
who could not bear that he should be promoted
over them
though he deserved all the honour he received. If
when they sift
you through and through
their eager
evil eyes cannot detect a fault; and they
are obliged to fall back upon abusing you for your godliness
calling it
hypocrisy
or some other ugly name
you are a man greatly beloved. Further
Daniel was delivered from great peril. He was cast into the lions’ den because
he was a man greatly beloved of God. If your trial should be like going into a
den of lions
if you are a man greatly beloved of God
you will come out again.
No lion shall destroy you; you are perfectly safe. The love of God is like a
wall of fire round about you. Once more
Daniel was a man greatly beloved
and
therefore he had revelations from God. Do not open your eyes width wonder
and
say
“I wish that I had all the revelations that Daniel had.” Listen to what he
says: “I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body
and the
visions of my head troubled me;” and again: “As for me Daniel
my cogitations
much troubled me
and my countenance changed in me; but I kept the matter in my
heart.” The revelations he received actually made him ill: “I Daniel fainted
and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up
and did the king’s business; and
I was astonished at the vision
but none understood it.” He whom God loves will
see things that will astound him; he will see that which will almost kill him;
he will see that which will make him faint and sick well nigh unto death. “Let
me see visions of God whatever it may cost me. Let me have communion with him
even though it should break my heart
and crush me in the dust.” I will make
only one more remark upon Daniel’s case
and that is this
he stood in his lot.
Because he was a man greatly beloved
he had this promise with which to close
his marvellous book
“Go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest
and
stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” He is a man greatly beloved
but he
does not understand all that God has revealed. The next time you get studying
some prophecy of Scripture
which you cannot make out
do not be troubled; but
hear the voice of God saying
“Go thy way. Wait awhile. It will all be plain
by-and-by. God is with thee.”
II. In the second
place. I am going to speak of THE
CASE OF EVERY BELIEVER who is also greatly beloved of God
Every
believer has been called out from others. Look at the hole of the pit whence
thou wast digged. Who but God
the Giver of all grace
has made thee to differ
from the ungodly around thee? Therefore
adore him for his matchless mercy
His
distinguishing grace. Remember
too
that if thou hast been called out from a
sinful world
and transformed into a child of God
this is the token that thou
hast been chosen from the beginning. Remember
too
that in the fulness of
time
thou wast redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. Thou hast been also
pardoned
and put among the Lord’s children. I feel sure that your heart is
speaking now
even if your tongue is silent
and it says
“Indeed
as a pardoned
man
I am greatly beloved.” Since the Lord forgave your sin
you have been a
praying man
and God has heard your prayers. We have the entree of the King’s
palace at will. Are we not men greatly beloved? Beside that
remember that the
Lord has upheld you until now. In your pilgrim path
how many times your feet
have almost gone! When I think of all our experiences in the way in which the
Lord hath led us
I can truly say of all his people that they are men and women
greatly beloved. As surely as we are in Christ to-night
we shall be with
Christ byand-by. Oh
men greatly beloved
to have such a future as this before
you
ought to make your heaven begun below!
III. THE CASE OF SPECIAL SAINTS
those who are in a special sense men greatly beloved. There are some men who
are
as I said at the beginning of my discourse
elect out of the elect.
Remember
that Christ had seventy choice men
his disciples; but then he had
twelve choicer men
his apostles; and he had three of these
who were with him
when the others were not; and out of these three he had one John
“that
disciple whom Jesus loved.” His love is so sweet
that
while I would be
grateful to be even outside the seventy
so long as I might be among the five
hundred brethren who saw him after he rose from the dead
yet I would then have
the ambition to get in among the seventy; and not for the honour of it
but for
the love it would bring
I would like to be one of the eleven; and for the same
reason I would fain to be one of the three
and I would
above measure
be
thankful if I might be that one whom Jesus loved. Have you not the same holy
inspiration? Well
now
let me tell you that
if you would be among the choicer
spirits
greatly beloved of God
you must be men of spotless character. The
next point is
that men who are greatly beloved are men of decision When Daniel
had the lions’ den in prospect
because of his faithfulness to God
“he went
into his house; and his window being open in his chamber towards Jerusalem
he
kneeled upon his knees three times a day
and prayed
and gave thanks before
his God
as he did aforetime.” Next
if you would be men greatly beloved of
God
beyond all the rest of his people
on whom special shinings of his face
shall come
you must be much in communion with him. If a man is to be greatly
beloved of God
he must live above the world
as Daniel did. Daniel became a
prince
a governor
a man of substance and position; but when Belshazzar
promised to clothe him with scarlet
and to put a gold chain about him neck
if
he could read and interpret the writing on the wall
he said to the king
“Let
thy gifts be to thyself
and give thy rewards to another.” Daniel did not want
them. Once more
men who are greatly beloved by the Lord live wholly for God
and for God’s people. You see nothing of selfishness about Daniel. (C.
H. Spurgeon.)
Daniel
We associate him in our minds with the “disciple whom Jesus
loved.” Both alike are spoken of in the Church as much for wisdom as for love.
In both too there was the love of man as conspicuous as the love of God. For
“greatly beloved” the margin of our Bibles has “a man of desires
” that is a
desire for God. It was this desire after God that made Daniel so earnest in
seeing him by humiliation and fasting
and prayer. It was in thus seeking that
he was answered; in this steadfast unswerving purpose he continued until he was
heard. We may compare Daniel with. Joseph for purity and with Solomon for
wisdom. St. Augustine observes that
though so approved of for holiness and
wisdom
Daniel makes the most earnest confession of sin. He is not a prophet
only
but an intercessor with God. From the desolations of Israel he looked
forward and prepared for their restoration. He passes
as it were
from the
prophet into the saint and martyr: and herein it is given him to resemble
not
in character only
but in history also
the disciple of divine love; both were
martyrs in will
but not in deed . . . What was the one great secret of Daniel?
It was desire
a soul full of desire
it was to keep his desire alive
nay to
increase and intensify this desire that his whole life was spent. Other things
followed
as his love for man
the love and honour of all; but these were not
what he sought
but the love of God. In that he found all. The flame of his
soul ever burned upward
and all human events did but stir and fan that flame.
Therefore it was that earthly events
however grievous
troublous and
perplexing
did not shake his confidence in God
because he was a man of
desires. (Isaac Williams.)
Daniel
the Model of Decision
Daniel was one of the best and wisest men of whom we read in the
Bible. He began to serve God when he was quite young; and this
no doubt
was
one thing that helped to make him so good a man. He was a very decided man. He
always did what he knew was right
no matter what the consequence might be. We
may speak of him as the model of decision. Three great benefits followed from
his decision.
1. It kept him from doing wrong. Illus. from his refusal to eat the
King’s meat
and to cease from praying. With us there should be decision in
telling the truth; in keeping the Sabbath
about stealing
etc.
2. It helped him to be good. How Daniel influenced Shadrach
Meshach
and Abed-nego.
3. It made him successful. He went to Babylon a poor boy
about sixteen
or seventeen years old
but God blessed him for the decided way in which he
always did what he believed to be right. (R. Newton
D.D.)
The Character of Daniel
His distinctive prophetic mission grew out of
or was grafted
upon
his position in public life; but that again
was the result of his
personal character; and so we are led most naturally to the consideration of
his individual peculiarities.
1. His early piety. He could not have been more than fourteen years
of age when
with his three companions
he was sent to be educated at the
college of the Chaldeans. Yet even then he had learned to love Jehovah
and to
make the divine law the rule of his fife. It has come to be believed in our day
that early piety is a simpering
sentimental thing
betokening the existence in
its subject both of physical and mental weakness. Daniel s piety did not
interfere with his pre-eminence. You will make a terrible mistake if you
suppose that piety unfits you for life
or imagine that its existence in youth
is an abnormal thing
that indicates the presence of disease. There is nothing
so healthy
or so wholesome
as to give yourselves early to the world. The ease
of Daniel is not exceptional. In all such as Joseph
and Moses
and Samuel
and
Daniel
and in some degree also in Timothy
there is a full rounded
completeness of character
a well-balanced equilibrium of disposition
which
you look for in vain in those who have been converted in late life.
2. His devoutness in prayer. This comes out first in connection with
the recovery and interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s forgotten dream. But it was
the habit of his life to wait at stated times on God. This helps to explain
much of his conduct. We cease to wonder at his boldness before Nebuchadnezzar
Belshazzar
and Darius
when we learn that he maintained such constant
communion with his God. Alas! the recreative influence of devotional retirement
is now neither sought nor valued as it ought to be.
3. Decision of character. This habit of decision grew up in him
and
was fed in him
by the communion of prayer. He learned to look at things as in
the sight of God
and he carried that test with him through life. God was more
to him than all else.
4. His diligence in business. His prosperity was not the result of
any accident
but was the consequence of the perseverance land integrity by
which he was distinguished. What is religion? Is it not the process of
self-formation
according to the purest model
and from the loftiest motives?
And if that be so
does not public life give the noblest opportunities for its
practice? Consider what religion does for a man. It brings him under the
influence of the most powerful motives. It opens his eyes to the sight of the
invisible God; and so it sends him to work for him. But is there anything in
that to paralyse industry or to overlay diligence ? Do not you believe that
your allegiance to God will ultimately interfere with your commercial success.
Even if it did
it would still be your duty to be true to him. But it does not.
Let us pray for Daniel’s faith
and let us cultivate his devotional spirit.
Then we shall be able to manifest his firmness in the face of temptation
and
to practice his diligence in the details of common life. Let us carry his
business energy into our religious duties
and his devout spirit into our
business transactions. (William M. Taylor
D.D.)
Oh
Daniel understand the
words that I speak unto thee
and
stand upright;. for unto thee am I now sent.
Stand and understand
We usually regard the book of Daniel as the book for the student
of prophecy only. If we are seeking counsel and consolation we turn to the
Psalms or the Gospels or the Epistles
not often to Daniel’s prophecy. But
while the book is prophetic
it is also practical. Interspersed with the
mention of images and kingdoms are words for the guidance and uplift of men in
all ages
such as those of the description in our text. Let us regard the words
as a parable. “Understand--stand upright
” that is
“Look away from thyself to
Me
the Almighty One. Prostration before me is unreadiness to serve Me.” The
attitude commanded indicates a condition of
I. REVERENCE.
Daniel thought he was showing a deeper reverence in bowing himself
to the earth
but while prostration may signify reverence and humility it may
also indicate craven fear
and such prostration is not a fitting attitude for
the servant of God. What father wishes his child to crawl at his feet ? It
would be poor tribute to one’s fatherhood. In the awful presence of the Most
High
man cannot be too reverent
but he can be too fearful. Dread of God
hinders approach to God. He who is sincerely obedient is truly reverent.
Reverence is a question of temper it is a condition of heart
rather than a
posture of the body.
II. RECEPTIVITY.--This
signifies that the heart and mind are alert
that the face is toward the light.
In earthly courts
servants stand to receive their orders; the posture
indicates watchfulness
“hearingness
” and should the privileged servants of
the Almighty be less ready
less responsive? But this receptivity suggests an
absence of fear and dread. Should not men dread God? Yes
and no. They who know
the right and do the wrong
they do well to fear. When we remember our darkness
and our guilt
we do well to be filled with fear. But can the fear be removed?
As we learn of the Son Who is the Way
and rely upon His mediation and
sacrifice: so are we brought to know the Father
and the soul finds its home in
Him.
III. RESPONSIVENESS.--Daniel
knew that in all the mystery about him there was a purpose
and
as the terror
caused by his strange surroundings passes
his confidence returns. Faith must
precede following. As Daniel’s faith increased
so was the purpose revealed.
Our faith prepares the way for the unfolding of the Divine will. Daniel was caused
to stand before Jehovah’s messenger
for the one exalted purpose of service. “O
Daniel
” the man of heaves seemed to say
“fear not
thy prayer has been heard;
stand and hearken
and I will cause thee to become My interpreter
My prophet.”
And service holy and exalted is the purpose of the Divine calling to-day.
Nationally
the call comes to us. To the nation the God of nations says
“Give
heed to my voice. Let my word be in the front of your national life. Remember
Me in all your laws and statutes. Honour Me
and I will honour thee.”
Personally
the call comes to us
“Understand--stand upright
for unto thee am
I now sent.” Are we obedient? The three foundation words of our text are the
foundation words of character: Reverence--for the deep things of the Kingdom of
God; Receptivity--that is
the open ear
the open heart and the alert spirit;
and Responsiveness--that is
joyful obedience to His will
and to that we are
called. (F. Burnett.)
.
Verse 12
And to chasten thyself before thy God.
Soul Discipline
I. Its action on SELF. It is
concentration of soul. “Set thy heart” is setting the whole soul to the work.
1. Concentration to spiritual study. “Set thy heart to understand.”
To understand what ? Thyself
thy capabilities
thy moral obligations
thy
spiritual condition.
2. Concentration to correction. “To chasten thyself.” Quench corrupt
lusts
conquer wrong prejudices
expel pernicious errors
etc.
3. Concentrated to devotion. “Before thy God
” doing the whole as
under the eye of God. Truthful
earnest
solemn.
II. Its action on
GOD. God observes
all this soul work. He is interested in it and He is represented as being
influenced by it. God here says to Daniel
“Thy words were heard
and I am come
for thy words.” The idea is
because thou hast been disciplining thy soul
I am
come to answer thy prayers. True soul discipline is essential to successful
prayer. “If thou prepare thine heart and stretch out thine hands towards him;
if iniquity be in thine hand
put it away
and let not wickedness dwell in thy
tabernacles
for there shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea
thou
shalt be steadfast
and shalt not fear. Because thou shalt forget thy misery
and remember it as waters that pass away; and thine age shall be clearer than
the noonday; thou shalt shine forth
thou shalt be as the morning.” (Homilist.)
Thy words were heard.
A Gracious Answer from Heaven
Our text is part of the angel’s address to Daniel
I. THE OCCASION WAS ONE OF DISAPPOINTMENT
AND PERPLEXITY. High were the expectations raised by the decree
of Cyrus. But year after year passed and no deliverance came.. Then Darnel
spent three weeks in retirement
self-denial
and prayer. Mysterious
dispensations of providence are permitted to thwart our fair expectations.
Adverse changes take place which disappoint our hopes. Wise ends are answered
by these trials of our faith and patience. Whenever God tries us
and by
whatsoever means
he gives an opportunity for the exercise of graces and
virtues
which are thus not only proved but also improved.
II. THE COURSE DANIEL PURSUED UNDER THE TRYING
CIRCUMSTANCES. Three things are specified in our text.
1. Inquiry. He did set his heart to understand
that he might find
out the path of duty; what to do and what to recommend. If in similar
circumstances we search
we shall probably find some errors to be corrected
some negligences and sins to be repented of
some feelings to be humbled for
or some attainments to be pursued
which might have been overlooked or
forgotten had not the Almighty arrested us in our career.
2. Humiliation. He chastened himself before his God. His fasting was
an outward sign of inward humiliation
and also calculated to promote it. A
voluntary devotedness to extraordinary exercises of piety in his judgment was
called for by the extraordinary circumstances of the times. And God was pleased
to honour his servant by a gracious regard to his offerings.
3. Prayer. “Thy words are heard.” No doubt
words of prayer. In the
day of trouble there is a peculiar need and call for prayer. In such reasons we
feel most dependent upon God; and then there is often a more than ordinary
disposition to pray.
III. THE SUCCESSFUL RESULT.
This is described in our text.
1. He is bidden not to fear. No doubt his fears had been strong
concerning the execution of the monarch’s decree. In this present world
so
full of uncertainty
it is not to be expected that we shall be altogether
without our fears as to what may befal us. The best way of soothing the mind is
to do as Daniel did
refer the case to God
with humility
prayer
and holy
trust.
2. Daniel was assured that his prayers were heard. And this is the
privilege of all the devout. His promise to hear their prayers not only denotes
attention to them
but acceptance of them.
3. Daniel received divine manifestations in answer to his prayers. He
was honoured by the heavenly visitant. Reviewing the whole we find in this
subject an instructive comment on the gracious assurance that they who wait
upon the Lord shall renew their strength. Daniel’s strength was renewed
his
courage was revived
his hopes were brightened
when he had waited upon his
God. (W. Chaplin.)
Verse 13
Michael
one of the chief princes
came to help me.
The Festival of Michael and all Angels
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; Jude 1:1-25 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.)
Verse 18
And He strengthened me.
Our Lord’s humanity a source of comfort
We are not able
as yet
to bear the full revelation of divine
things. We ought to be thankful that our God has revealed no more. It appears
that
when weighed down under a sense of the divine presence
the readiest
method of consolation is found in the touch of a certain sublime
mysterious
human hand. Surely this glorious being was that uncreated messenger of the
covenant who
though not born into our nature in Daniel’s day
yet took upon
Himself the similitude of man for a time
as He had done before when on special
occasions He appeared to others of the saints before His actual incarnation.
The Son of God is also the Son of Man. He is as truly man as if He were not God
and as truly God as if He had never assumed the nature of man. Show how the
touch of the hand of Jesus
the man
strengthens us.
I. IT CHEERS US WHEN WE LABOUR UNDER A
SENSE OF LONELINESS. Some feel alone because they are the only
ones of their house who serve the Lord. Well
there is a friend that sticketh
closer than a brother. The child of God as he grows in grace becomes more
lonely. But there are no heights of attainment which Jesus has not surpassed.
It falls to the lot of some Christians to stand alone in their contention for
the faith. In all our work He is our companion.
II. IT IS SWEET TO FEEL THE TOUCH OF THE
HUMANITY OF CHRIST
WHEN WE ARE HUMBLED IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. A blessed extinction of self makes room
for infinite love. There is not one covenant blessing but what
if we
understood it
would have a humbling effect upon us. At such times of
self-annihilation it is strengthening to the mind to feel the touch of that
hand
and to perceive that He who is our God is also very near to us.
III. IN SORROW
HOW BLESSED IT IS TO PEEL THE TOUCH
OF THE MAN’S HAND! Pain of body
is the portion of many of God’s people. They are seldom long without it.
Others endure the affliction of poverty. Some true Christians are naturally of
a sombre temperament. There is no abyss of grief into which Jesus has not
descended.
IV. THE FACT THAT JESUS IS A MAN
SUCH AS WE ARE
SHOULD GREATLY COMFORT US IN ALL OUR
STRUGGLES. It seems hard
this battle of life
this fighting
against sin
this contention against inbred corruption. We are apt to think
sometimes
“Can we ever win? Is not the battle too difficult?” In such moments
look at yonder man who sits upon the throne of God. He is the typical man.
“Consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.”
V. WHAT A BLESSED THING IT IS TO LOOK AT
THE MANHOOD OF JESUS
CHRIST AT TIMES
WHEN WE HAVE BEEN DECEIVED BY OUR BRETHREN. Our natural tendency
to idolatry leads us to confide in man. Sometimes there have come the discovery
that man is only man
and that some men are not saints
though they talk in a
saintly manner. At such times it is most cheering to remember that there is one
man who will never deceive us. There is one who has not uttered a promise which
He will not fulfil
nor won from us a confidence which He will not justify.
VI. THE SAME IS TRUE IN SEASONS OF DOUBT.
There is a class of disciples like Thomas
who think much
and are apt to doubt
much. They do not love doubts
they hate them
yet their doubts often go very
deep
and undermine the most precious doctrines. A sight of my Lord is the
sheetanchor which has held me fast in times of scepticism and doubt. I cannot
doubt when I see him.
VII. THE TOUCH OF OUR REDEEMER’S HUMAN HAND COMFORTS US IN THE HOUR
OF DEATH. One man has broken from the prison of the grave
and
therefore all will who are like him.
VIII. THE MANHOOD OF CHRIST OUGHT TO BE A GREAT COMFORT TO
YOU WHEN YOU ARE SEEKING TO DO GOOD AMONG YOUR FELLOW-MEN. This is an awful
world
this world of human beings. But Jesus took human nature on Him
and
thereby did it the highest honour. He thought it worth while to suffer and die
for sinners. Let us think none so bad as to be beyond hope of benefit. Jesus
Christ stoops low; so let us do. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The Vision of Daniel
This is a record of the manner in which God reveals Himself to
men
and it especially tells us how God strengthens them to hear His Word and
do His Will.
1. God’s
strengthening comes through what is divine becoming human. It comes into human
relations and human measures. Daniel is represented here as overwhelmed by what
he had seen and heard. We cannot take in too much at a time even of the highest
and noblest things. They require strength of mind
clearness of intellect
to
grasp and to carry them. It is so with knowledge. It is true even of our
affections. Just so it is with the presence of God. We cannot dwell too long
among the coruscations and flashings of the divine glory. Our week faculties
reel and collapse beneath the strain. Too much was unveiled to Daniel
he
became strenghtless. How was he restored? How did he gather strength again? One
having the form of a man comes to him and touches him. That human touch gives
him strength once more. The gentle touch of love
how it darts right through to
our heart’s core
and makes our blood tingle. The soothing touch of pity is
more eloquent than ten thousand words. It is full of comfort
and gives
patience and mighty peace. Daniel was no longer alone. He had a companion--a
human companion--with him
and found heartfelt and infinite relief. Who was
this human form? We do not know. We are not told that it was an angel. We are
not told that it was Christ. In one sense it certainly was Christ
for all
living manifestations of God are utterances or syllables
so to speak
of that
eternal Word of God
of which Christ is the full and perfect embodiment. Better
ask
“What does He mean?” than to press the question
“Who is He?” His
appearance means this blessed
consoling
universal fact
that God is not far
from men
and that He gives us power both to endure what He lays upon us
and
to do His commandments
by coming to us
as Himself in a sense human
as full
of human love and sympathy. There is something in God which is very near to us
and very dear. He is the light by which we understand. He is the pulse that
beats in the centre of our life. He is the soul of our best and purest joy.
When God shows us this side of His character--what I may call the human side of
it--then we grow strong
and our poverty and weakness pass at once
and pass
utterly away. That is true every way. It is true in regard to our sins; and m
regards to our temptations. The knowledge that Christ has overcome is there
before us. That alone helps me That perfect man is here
the head and crown of
humanity
and He will breathe peace and faith
hope and courage
harmony and
victory
into you and into me. (J.F. Stevenson
LL.D.)
Verse 19
O Man greatly beloved.
Daniel
Daniel is the servant of God seen in the haunts of the wicked
world. No place is essentially unfit for the child of God. It is not of
necessity in seclusion from the world that the saintly character is formed;
holiness may exist
and the most perfect man be brought out in haunts which are
peculiarly the dwellings of Satan. But there are certain safeguards and
tendencies which are necessary to such a position. All the circumstances
connected with Daniel’s position
character
and writings
tend to give him an
important and prominent position in the history of the Church of God. He is a
highly interesting type of the position which the servant of God may lawfully
occupy in the midst of scenes of dazzling temptation. We must simply go out of
the world
if we are to avoid its temptations and allurements. Daniel’s
safeguards concerned his food. He prepared himself by thoroughly mastering the
learning of the people amongst whom he sojourned. He preserved most rigidly his
habits of attention to the hours of devotion ordered by the Jewish church. He
entered the world with a resolute determination to speak the truth before God
conscientiously. With these four weapons every one who enters or lives in the
world must war against it and protect himself. (E. Munro.)
A man greatly beloved
I. THE NAME GIVEN TO DANIEL.
“Greatly beloved.” Compare John 21:20. We too are each of us the
objects of God’s love. (Ephesians 2:4-5).
II. THE PEACE WISHED UNTO DANIEL. It is that which
St. Paul speaks about. (Romans 5:1; Romans 4:25) If you don’t feel that you
have the peace
trust God
and he will give you consciousness of it.
III. THE THREEFOLD CHARGE.
Fear not. Why should you fear? Your Sins are washed away. Christ’s
righteousness is yours. Be strong. In thy testimony before men. In faith
giving glory to God. Believe
Faith is to be exercised in temporal matters. (J.
Duncan Craig
D.D.)
The Man Greatly Beloved
The weakest babes in grace are as truly loved as those who have
come to the fulness of the stature of men in Christ Jesus. There are delicious
spots where the sun’s light seems to rest most constantly
yet the sun of God’s
love shines on all the field which he hath chosen. The goodly land owned the
superior excellency of its Carmel and Sharon; yet from Dan to Beersheba
every
acre was blessed of the Lord. Every heir of heaven is purchased with the same
blood
written in the same roll of life
called by the same Spirit
preserved
by the same divine power
and is ripened under the same spiritual influences
for the eternal glory: surely then every believer is “beloved
” and “greatly
beloved” too. Great love has been shown in the salvation of each one of us
and
in our preservation to this day.
I. The text
glitters with A CHOICE TITLE.
Daniel is said to be a “man greatly beloved
” or as some read it
“a man of
desires”--a desirable man towards God
whom God desired to commune with
in
whose society the Lord delighted. He was a “man greatly beloved.” Now the great
love of God to Daniel is very conspicuously seen in his character. I shall not
describe his character as the reason why God loved him
far from it
but I
shall mention his character as being the effect of God’s great love to him. God
loved him greatly
and therefore he made him this and that. The first token of
the Lord’s great love to Daniel which we shall consider was this
God gave him
early piety. No one can ever over-estimate the great privilege of being brought
to God in childhood or youth. If it were only to be saved from the injury which
a course of sin brings upon the mind
if it.were only to escape from the
regrets for the past which will arise even when the conscience is in after days
purged from sin
if it were only to have saved those precious hours of the
early morning of life and to have used them in the Master’s cause
if it were
only for those three reasons
and they are but part of a great cluster
they
are something for which eternally to bless the Special love of God. “O man
greatly beloved
when thou wast a child the Lord delighted in thee.” But
secondly
the great love of God to Daniel appeared in his early and thorough
nonconformity to the world. Everything was done that could be done to make the
young Hebrew forget the God of his fathers. His very name was changed as well
as those of the three right worthy companions of his captivity. Everywhere
around them they saw idolatry
lust
and crime. There was nothing when they
went abroad or when they stayed at home but what would suggest to them the
abominations of the heathen. It is always safest if you are at war with a
deadly enemy to have a very high wall between you and him. There will be no
fault in its being too high if he aims at destroying you. Any division which we
establish between us and sin
will never be too broad or too deep. Gentle
manners are a fit robe for firm principles. We read
therefore
that Daniel
“requested of the prince of the eunuchs
that he might not defile himself.” If
you are not at the outset thorough for God
I fear you never will be.
Christians ought to grow in grace
but I am sorry to say that with many of them
they go from weakness to weakness
and all I fear because there is not a sound
beginning. Every builder will tell you the necessity of having the foundation
laid well. Daniel was a man greatly beloved
because even early he was
distinguished for his nonconformity to the world. In after life we find another
sweet result of God’s love
in his courageous trust in God. He was a man
greatly beloved to be such a lion as he was in the midst of all his foes.
Coupled with this as another evidence of God’s love to him
was his wonderful
endurance of prosperity. A further instance of God’s great love to him comes
out in his firmness under trial. Let me add
that here we ought not to forget
that God’s grace and love shone conspicuously in making Daniel a man of such
continuous devotion. Every day witnessed his constant regularity in prayer. I
think that I have shown you that the outward signs of God’s love to Daniel were
such as many of us have enjoyed in a measure and may enjoy still more
for
there are some here who were saved in youth
some who early began to be decided
for God
some who have been brave for Christ
and have not denied the faith
who have sustained prosperity
and have endured trial too
and who have by
grace been taught to plead with God. Perhaps they will not recognize
themselves
but we may be able to recognize them
and call them men greatly
beloved. In one word
there was one crowning token of God’s love to Daniel
and
that is the perfect consistency of his life all through. It is a special mark
of a man greatly beloved
when he is consistent from the beginning to the end
through the grace of God.
II. I must hasten
in the second place
to notice that Daniel became the subject of a COMMON INFIRMITY. He
was full of fear on one occasion
and therefore
an angel said to him
“Fear
not.” I am glad of this
because it teaches us that even the best of men may be
subject to very great fears. He was nothing in himself
and owed all his
greatness to the grace of God. Those fears on the part of Daniel were not the
result of personal trial just then
they came to him indeed
when he had been
highly honoured by revelations from God; but his fears sprang from a sight of
his Lord
and from a sense of his own unworthiness. You may be a man greatly
beloved
and
therefore you may have a clearer sight of the Lord Jesus than
other men have; and for that very reason you may feel a greater shame and
confusion of face whenever you think of yourself. Recollect how Daniel says
concerning himself
“There remained no strength in me
my comeliness was turned
in me into corruption
and I retained no strength.” O if the Lord ever favours
you with much love
and with nearness of access to himself
you must expect the
other side of it--that is to say
you must feel your own nothingness
baseness
unworthiness--feel as if you were unfit to do anything for God’s people
unit
even to bear Christ’s name
and yet all the while you may be a man greatly
beloved
and may be eminently blessed. Perhaps
too
Daniel’s great fears had
been awakened by the disclosures that had been made to him of the history of
the nations
and especially of his own people. He had a peculiar anxiety for
his own people. Did you ever get into that state
and begin to look upon the
world
and upon the country
and upon the church
and then fall into a fit of
trembling? I do assure you it is wonderfully easy to put on the garb of Jeremy
the weeping prophet. Yes
Daniel had seen the history of the world for a long
period to come
therefore he was full of fear. And are you full of fear too?
Well
it is a part of the lot of men whom God greatly loves that they should
bear the troubles of the times. I think too that Daniel’s sorrow was occasioned
partly by the repetition of those words to him: “The vision is true
but the
time appointed is long.” It seemed to come over and over to Daniel. “The time
is long.” I do not know any trouble that presses more heavily on my heart than
that. It seems to be a dreadful long while since God has wrought a
miracle--such a while since the church has had any great thing done in the
midst of her. And if any here have been favoured to be beloved of God
I am
sure this will weigh upon them
“How long
Lord
how long? Why tarriest thou?”
III. The CONSOLATIONS which the
angel brought to Daniel
and which
in proportion as we are greatly beloved and
the subject of like fears
he brings to us. He said to him first
“Peace be
unto thee.” So he says to every one of the beloved here
--“Peace be unto thee.
Why art thou fretting
worrying
tossed up and down in thy mind? Peace be unto
thee.” Let peace be thine first
because thou art “greatly beloved.” Whatever
is happening or not happening
thou art greatly beloved. So
be still
be calm
thou art beloved of heaven. And next
fear not
peace be unto thee
God is
still ruling--he ruled the world before thou wast born
and accomplished all
his will; he will rule it when thou art dead
and fulfil his own decrees. Why
dost thou worry thyself? What use can thy fretting serve ? And whereas thou art
disturbed about the length of time
--with what dost thou measure? With thine
own age of seventy years
or with days and weeks--dost thou measure so ? Hast
thou ever seen the measuring line of the Eternal
and dost thou know
that if
this world were to last through millions of millions of years
yet it would be
but a speck between the two eternities that should precede and follow? God’s
life is not made up of tickings of the clock! He can wait
he can wait. Then he
adds “be strong
” as if these fears of Daniel made him weak
and as if it was
important that he should be strong. Now
if there is any importance in us at
all
and there is not much
certainly anything that we can do in our present
place will require of us all our strength. And since our fears decidedly weaken
us for all practical purposes they should be shaken off. Hence the angel says
twice
“Be strong
yea
be strong;” and
beloved
we ought to be strong in
faith
for God deserves it. Fall before the Lord in earnest prayer
and ask him
to take away thy fretfulness
and make thee
as thou art greatly beloved
to be
strong. (C. H. Spurgeon)
The Exemplary Conduct of Daniel
I. DANIEL’S PECULIAR SITUATION.
1. Exposed to great temptations.
2. Deprived of religious privileges.
3. Exposed to great sufferings for conscience sake.
II. DANIEL’S EXALTED PIETY. Piety
will ensure divine
if it does not receive human
approbation. How was Daniel’s
piety seen?
1. In his conscientious regard to the exercise of devotion. The man
who is much with God in secret is likely to be an eminent witness for God in
public. Principles produced and strengthened at a throne of grace give
stability and firmness of character
that no external opposition can destroy.
2. In his unbending firmness. Decision of character is a great
Christian excellence.
3. An unblemished reputation. What lamentable blots disfigure--we
might almost say--disgrace the portraits of many
whose moral features are
delineated by the faithful pencil of Divine revelation. But no prominent
defects in Daniel’s character require the aid of the veil of charity. See Daniel 6:4.
III. HIS DISTINGUISHED HONOUR.
His piety was no barrier to his preferment.
1. He was the special object of the divine care. As to his body
and
as to his soul.
2. Daniel was an eminent witness for God.
3. He was remarkably useful; and
4. He was favoured with extraordinary revelations from the great Head
of the Church. (J. R. Cooper.)
Verse 21
In the scripture of truth.
The Teaching of Scripture
The Scriptures not only demand our submission
but invite our
investigation. Whatever men in the pride of their heart may urge against them
they describe the moral condition of man
and contain truths that suit him
through every stage of weakness and sorrow.
I. SOME SOLEMN FACTS NOTED IN THE SCRIPTURES OF TRUTH.
1. The moral ruin of man. The universal and dreadful character of
man’s apostacy from God. The fact is everywhere assumed.
2. The Gospel remedy. Scriptures introduce Jesus Christ--born of a
woman--made under the law--agonies--death--priestly character--intercession.
3. The means of application. How shall I become a partaker of this
salvation? By faith. Then man is a new creature. His conceptions of God are
new--his desires are new--pleasures new--pains new--principles and practices
new--prospects new--he is an heir of glory.
4. The doom of the impenitent and unbelieving. (Psalms 9:17; Matthew 23:33; Revelation 21:8.)
II. PARTICULAR APPLICATION OF THE SUBJECT.
To five classes of hearers.
1. The Self-ignorant. A man may have much knowledge and yet be
totally ignorant of himself. There are some of this class everywhere.
2. The Presumptuous. Those whom the Scriptures call “ungodly men
who
turn the grace of God into lasciviousness.” The men who dream of salvation
without the “washing and regeneration
and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
3. The Self-righteous. The persons who intend
if it is possible
to
go to heaven without the merits of the Saviour. A large class.
4. The Anxious. You need consolation
and it is provided. (Matthew 14:30-31) The all sufficiency of
Christ reaches to you.
5. The Believer. The sacred Scriptures congratulate you. They
describe your mercy they proclaim your obligations--they point you to your
final home. (Anon.)
The Highest Literature and the Highest Ministry
I. The highest LITERATURE on earth.
“The Scripture of truth.” There are many scriptures
or writings
in the world.
They abound and are multiplying. There are the scriptures of fiction
sensuality
romance; but there is only one book out of the millions concerning
which you can say “the Scripture of truth
” and that is the Bible. The truth is
in this book
if anywhere. The truth in relation to man
Christ
God
etc.
is
here. The truth here is soul-converting
soul-cleansing
soul-strengthening
soul-comforting
soul-ennobling truth.
II. The highest MINISTRY on earth. What
is that? Expounding this truth in its relation to men individually. “I will
show thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth
” says the heavenly
messenger. On this earth no man occupies such a sublime office as he who is the
enlightened
faithful
and practical expounder of God’s truth to men. “I will
show thee.” The truth of the Scriptures has a relation to all classes of
men--the careless
the carnal
the anxious
the self-righteous
the sceptical
the believing
etc. Heaven multiply such expositors! (Homilist.)
──《The Biblical Illustrator》