neither do they expect to see a river flowing from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea. You know how often. sinners are invited to come to the waters! They are represented as thirsty until they taste of that "Living water, of which if a man drink he shall never thirst." And the Saviour is also spoken of as the Bread of Life, to satisfy those hungering for better food than this world can give. So perhaps Ezekiel by faith looked forward to the coming of that Blessed One who is able to supply all our need.

(Read Ezekiel xlvii. 1-12; Rev. xxii. 1, 2.)

42. THE DIVISIONS OF THE HOLY LAND. When the Israelites under Joshua came into possession of the land of promise, they entered it by the south; so in describing the boundaries of the different tribes, the historian then begins at the south, and goes on to the north. But when they returned after the captivity, they entered the land from the north; and therefore Ezekiel describes their possessions from north to south. The boundary on the north stretched from the Mediterranean, or Great Sea, on the west, to the town of Zedad on the east. This place is supposed by some to be still in existence. under the name of Zedad, or Sudad, and is on the edge of the desert.

The kingdom of Hamath lay on the north of the Holy Land. In this new division no tribe had possessions on the east of the river Jordan, and each tribe had an equal portion of land allotted to it. The southern boundary was, as of old, the brook or river of Egypt; while the Great Sea formed the western boundary.

Perhaps it will interest you to see a list of the tribes in order, from north to south.

One more regulation the Lord gave to Ezekiel. It was about foreigners. They were now to be allowed to hold property like native-born Israelites; at least if they intended to settle in the land. Surely this prefigured the union of all nations in Christ; for St. Paul tells us that in Him "there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free: all are one in Christ Jesus."

The

There were twelve gates of entrance to the holy city, each called after the name of a tribe. three on the north side were the gates of Reuben, Judah and Levi; those on the east were Joseph, Benjamin and Dan; those on the west side, Gad,

a new name.

Asher and Naphtali; those on the south side, Simeon, Issachar and Zebulon. Jerusalem itself was to receive From that day forward it was to be called Jehovah-Shammah. Do you know the beautiful meaning of that word? It signifies "the Lord is there." What a blessed city that must be where the Lord Himself takes up his abode, and dwells with His people, their Friend and Protector!

(Read Ezekiel xlvii. 13-23: xlviii.)

XVII.

Daniel. (B. C. 607.)

1. THE ROYAL CAPTIVES.

You have heard a great deal of the prophet Daniel. The story of the den of lions has been a favourite. with you ever since you can remember; but there are many of the wonderful visions which God gave to Daniel with which you are not so familiar, and I would like to help you to understand something of these, and also of the times in which this prophet lived. We are told that it was in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, that Nebuchadnezzar came up against Jerusalem. This date probably refers to the third year in which Jehoiakim reigned as an independent king. You remember, after serving the King of Babylon three years, he rebelled against him, until he was again subdued; then he was allowed to rule in Jerusalem as a vassal of Nebuchadnezzar, but the city was spoiled, and many of the costly vessels of the Lord's house were taken to Babylon, and there put into the treasurehouse of the heathen gods. But more precious than gold were the princely boys of Judah who were led captive to Babylon. These were placed under the charge of a guardian, or, as he is called in Daniel, "master of the eunuchs." His name was Ashpenaz. He seems to have been a gentle-hearted man-one who gained the love and confidence of the royal youths.

One day Ashpenaz received a command from Nebuchadnezzar. He was to choose from among the captives of the blood-royal of Judah certain princes, who were to be trained up for the king's service. They were to be youths without blemish, and comely in person; they were also to be clever and of good understanding, and able, also, to express their thoughts eloquently. These were to be instructed in the language and learning of the Chaldeans. The king provided liberally for their maintenance; for every day for three years a portion of food and of wine from the king's own table was to be sent to them; then at the end of the three years they were to appear in the king's presence.

Daniel was at this time only a youth; but he knew and loved the God of his fathers, and although surrounded by all the riches and grandeur of Nebuchadnezzar's court, his heart turned with a longing desire to the beloved land of Judah. He felt that if he partook of the luxurious food used in the king's palace, he might become too fond of the pleasures of Babylon, and forget that he was a son of Abraham, and an heir of a more glorious inheritance than this world could bestow; so he purposed in his heart that he would touch neither the meat nor the drink which the king sent to the captives. We shall see how he carried out his resolution.

(Read Daniel i. 1-8.)

2. DANIEL'S RESOLUTION, AND ITS RESULT.

As soon as Daniel had formed his resolution, he made it known to the prince of the eunuchs, who had charge of him and his companions; but Ashpenaz did