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Friday
The First
Lesson
Daniel 1:1-7, 17-21
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with
part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into
the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the
vessels into the treasure house of his god.
3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs,
that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of
the king's seed, and of the princes;
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but wellfavoured, and skilful
in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science,
and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace,
and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the
Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's
meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three
years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah:
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave
unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach;
and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill
in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all
visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should
bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in
before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found
none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood
they before the king.
20 And
in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired
of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians
and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
1st Lesson Questions -
The four of this passage were given, by God, extraordinary gifts - so much so that even the king knew it. (V. 20) What am I known for in life? Am I more like these four, or the "magicians and astrologers" of this passage? RESOLVE.
The Second
Lesson
Acts 19:21-41
21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit,
when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem,
saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto
him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for
a season.
23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made
silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation,
and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost
throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away
much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with
hands:
27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at
nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should
be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all
Asia and the world worshippeth.
28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath,
and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught
Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in
travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples
suffered him not.
31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends,
sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself
into the theatre.
32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the
assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they
were come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting
him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would
have made his defence unto the people.
34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about
the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye
men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the
city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana,
and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye
ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers
of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him,
have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are
deputies: let them implead one another.
39 But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall
be determined in a lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's
uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of
this concourse.
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
2nd Lesson Questions -
Is there a parallel, in our day, to the "Diana of the Ephesians" cult? What does Christianity threaten in our day? RESOLVE.