THE MEANING OF THE STORY
367. In the last chapter we studied the bitter persecution of the Jews in the time of Antiochus. God sent them a great deliverer in Judas the Hammerer. He also sent them a helper who told them heroic stories of the olden time to encourage them to believe that God would surely deliver them. These stories were of Daniel and his three friends who were taken to Babylon in the captivity. They were under great temptation to be untrue to their religion. We can see how these stories would help the people to be faithful.
368 (§98). In the old times the food and wine for the king's table would first be offered to the heathen gods, so Daniel felt that he would really be an idolator if he took them. What request did he make? How did the master think it would be discovered that he had not fed them on rich food? What test did Daniel propose? How did it turn out? Of course it was really much more healthy for the young men to live simply. It took some courage to stand out against the officer, but it was a matter of conscience with Daniel and his friends.
369 (§99A). Imagine the great golden image 100 feet high. What was the king's command to the people? What was to be the penalty if they refused to obey? How would a faithful servant of the Lord feel about it?
370 (§99B). We do not know where Daniel was at this time, but what did his three friends do? What did the king say to them? What did they answer him? Notice carefully that they said they were sure God could save them, but whether he did or not they would be faithful. God does not always save people from death. The noble army of martyrs have been faithful unto death. But God has always brought good out of their sufferings.
371 (§99C). Describe the scene when these men were thrown into the furnace? What did the king think he saw? What did he do to the three? What impression did it make on the king? We can understand how the Jews would have told such a wonderful story as this to cheer those who were under great temptation to give up their faith.
372 (§100A). Long after, when Daniel was an old man, another great danger arose. He had meantime been promoted to the highest station. Great men always have many enemies who are jealous of them. All our great Americans have had those who envied them. What foolish thing did Daniel's enemies persuade the king to do? There seems to have been a rule that if the king gave an order it could not be changed.
373 (§100B). What had been Daniel's custom regarding prayer? How did he change it when he heard of the decree? Would he have been wiser to pray secretly? Some of our soldier boys that went to the war were ashamed to kneel down and pray at night, but some of them were not afraid even when their companions jeered them. Do you remember a story like that in Tom Brown at Rugby? How did the king feel when he found that Daniel had refused to obey the decree? Why could not the king pardon him? Notice how bitterly his enemies insisted on the penalty.
374 (§100C). What did the king say to Daniel? How did the king pass the night? What happened in the morning? What was done to his enemies?
375 (§100D). What message did the king send to his people? Daniel's bravery made the king respect his religion. What was the result of all this to Daniel? Suppose Daniel had been killed by the lions, what would you think of him?