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Wednesday
The First
Lesson
Daniel 4:28-37
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the
kingdom of Babylon.
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that
I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my
power, and for the honour of my majesty?
31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice
from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken;
The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall
be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat
grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou
know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth
it to whomsoever he will.
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar:
and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his
body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown
like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine
eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and
I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that
liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and
his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing:
and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and
among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand,
or say unto him, What doest thou?
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory
of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and
my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established
in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King
of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment:
and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
1st Lesson Questions -
What was the sin of Nebuchadnezzar? How often does it grab hold of me? RESOLVE.
The Second
Lesson
Acts 23:25-24:9
25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:
26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth
greeting.
27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed
of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood
that he was a Roman.
28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused
him, I brought him forth into their council:
29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law,
but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of
bonds.
30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the
man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his
accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and
brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned
to the castle:
33 Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle
to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what
province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come.
And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with
the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed
the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him,
saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that
very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with
all thankfulness.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I
pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 For
we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of
the sect of the Nazarenes:
6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took,
and would have judged according to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence
took him away out of our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of
whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof
we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
2nd Lesson Questions -
Would anyone find me pestilent and an agitator, as they found Paul? (V. 5) For the same reason? RESOLVE.