Page 131 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

warning to you that the dream of Nebuchadnezzar of over a half-century ago and
interpreted by the Hebrew prophet and fulfilled in its first part by your conquest of
Babylon, also indicated that another kingdom will later overthrow the Medes and

Persians as you have overthrown Babylon, and so on till Jehovah Himself will
establish a kingdom on earth that shall never be destroyed.”
Darius listened to this speech attentively, but with a look of bewilderment on his
face, and replied: “My dear Aunt, you must take time, as opportunity offers, to tell me

more of this great God of the Hebrews whom you have come to trust. At the moment,
I confess I am somewhat mystified with all this about a great dream and its
fulfillment. Right now I am concerned to seek your counsel about some of the
personnel of Babylon whom you can recommend for character, experience and ability,

to assist me in the civil administration. From your long residence here and your
knowledge of men and affairs, you must know some one at least, that would be of
value to me.”
“The question is easily answered, O Darius,” replied Rhea, “the greatest statesman

Babylon has known during my long life-time, and Prime Minister during most of the
active reign of my distinguished husband Nebuchadnezzar and his son Avil-Marduk,
still lives and is well. Not only is he a statesman, but a prophet. It was he that
interpreted the great dream of my husband to which I just referred. It was also he who

read the strange writing on the wall at Belshazzar’s feast, and interpreted it. He
warned that young king that Jehovah had given the kingdom to the Medes and
Persians even as you and your men, without his knowledge, were entering the city. He
is not a Babylonian by race, but a Hebrew of the captivity, brought here in his youth

by my husband, from Jerusalem.”
“This man interests me greatly,” said Darius. But he must be very old.”
“He is nigh to four-score-and-ten, but the God Whom he has served these many
years has preserved him so that in vigor of mind and body he is exactly as I remember

him thirty years ago. For most of his life he enjoyed the intimate friendship of three
others who came with him from Jerusalem – brilliant statesmen all, and highly
respected among the Babylonian Magi – but all three of them have died within the last
five years, but Daniel, called in Babylon, Belteshazzar, goes on and his bow abides in

strength.”
“I must see this elder-statesman, this scholar, this prophet of whom you speak. Let
us summon him to come here as soon as he can,” said Darius.

“He will be here within an hour at my request,” said Rhea as she called one of her
maids and told her to send one of the familiar domestics to the humble house of
Daniel, the prophet, and ask him to come to her apartment.

It was only a little over a half hour before there was a knock at the door. It was

immediately opened and a man with snow-white hair and beard stood in the room. He
bowed to the waist before the queen. As his eyes swept the room, they met those of