Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 1 · Moral observations
6. Morall observations.
1. Observ. v. 2. That victorie and conquest is to be vsed moderately.
V. 2. With part of the vessells of the house of God. Although this was especially wrought by Gods prouidence, that Nabuchadnezzar caried away onelyonly part of the vessels of the Temple, that some might still remaine for the seruice thereof; yet in this victorious king is set forth an example of moderation, who is contented to take part of these holy vessels, and carieth away part of the chiefe men into captiuitie: he maketh not hauocke and spoile of all: which teacheth, that Princes should not vse their victorie, to make desolation, and lay all wast, but rather to helpe to bring things to better order. Bulling.
2. Observ. Princes can doe no more then God permitteth.
Herein also euidently appeareth Gods worke, Nabuchadnezzer had no power to carie away more of the men or vessels, then God gaue into his hand: for the text saith, God gaue Iehoiakim into his hand, &c. with part of the vessels of the house of God. If God had giuen all into his hand, he had taken all: but now he is limited, he taketh no more then God would he should take, Papp. So like as, though the Sea rage, and the waues thereof rise, yet the Lord keepeth it within the bounds, and bindeth as it were with swadling bands, Iob. 38. 9. So the Lord staieth the rage and furie of the mightie men of the earth: they hauehave no power to doe any thing▪ but from God: as Iesus said vntounto Pilate, Thou couldest hauehave no power at all against me, except it were giuen thee from aboue, Ioh. 19. 11.
3. Observ. The Lord punisheth by degrees.
At this time Nebuchadnezzer onelyonly caried away part of the holy vessells, and some few, Daniel with other persons, but afterward he tooke Iechonias the king himselfe, and caried him into captiuitie; and last of all he put out Zedekiahs eyes, burnt the Temple, and made hauocke of the citie, and remooued the most of the inhabitants into captiuitie. Thus the Lord proceedeth by degrees, to see if he can draw the people by his smaller corrections to repentance, till he powre out the whole viole of his wrath at once vponupon them, Osiand. This manner of the Lords proceeding in his iudgements by degrees is well expressed, Levit. 26. v. 18. 21. 24. how the Lord still punisheth his people seauen times more, that is, with more grieuous iudgements when they doe not profit by the former.
4. Observ. God will not be honoured with euill gotten goods.
Nebuchadnezzer ha…ing taken the vessels of the Temple, doth offer them in the house of God, thus honouring his idol with vniust spoiles: but our God will not so be serued: the wise man saith, Honour the Lord with thy riches, that is,Prov. 3. 9. thine owne, and not an others: They which offer vntounto God, or giuegive vntounto the poore of that which is gotten by extortion, are herein like vntounto Nebuchadnezzer: and they be compared vntounto the Eagle, which liueth of the pray of other birds, and that which shee leaueth, doth distribute among the rest, Pintus. The law of Moses forbiddeth, that any should bring the price of a whore into Gods house, Deut. 23. 18. nothing is acceptable vntounto God, which is gotten by vnlawfull and dishonest means.
5. Observ. v. 8. Against the riotous liuing, and excessiue expenses of students.
Vers. 8. Daniel had determined not to defile himselfe with the kings meat…, &c. This great abstinence in Daniel and the rest, who were sequestred, and set apart for the studie of wisedome, Bull. well applyeth against the euill vse of students in these dayes, which are not mediocri mensa, & honesta veste contenti, content with moderate fare, and modest garments, but doe exceede both wayes: Many which liue of exhibition, and vponupon the foundation of liberall patrons, doe frequent tavernes, and ruffle in their silkes, to the great offence and scandale of that kind of Vniuersitie life, and to the hinderance of much beneuolence, which otherwise would be bestowed that way.
6. Obserua. vers. 18. That time is to be redeemed.
Vers. 18. When the time was expired, that the king had appointed to bring them in, &c. The time appointed for the instruction of Daniel, and his fellowes was 3. yeares, this time beeing expired, then the king calleth them to account, to see how they had profited: which example is worthie to be followed, by those, who are set ouer Colledges of students, to see, that they mispend not their time in vaine, but goe forward in their studies. Bullinger. As there is nothing more precious then time, so the losse of nothing is more to be lamented: therefore the preacher would hauehave a young man remember his Creator in the dayes of his youth, before the euill dayes come. &c. Eccles. 12. 1.