~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Daniel 1:1-2:23 ~ 1 Peter 3:8-4:6
Psalm 119:65-80 ~ Proverbs 28:14
Old Testament - Today we start the book of Daniel, which is an incredible book! The book of Daniel takes place in approximately 605 B.C. during the first captivity of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Daniel is exiled to Babylon to Jerusalem in 605 B.C. - whereas Ezekiel, the prophet of the previous book, was exiled in 597 B.C. It is generally believed that Daniel himself wrote this entire book. Though some say that Daniel couldn't have written this book because his prophecies in the this book are spot-on. Thus, some think someone else must have written the book in retrospect. Let's forge ahead with the belief that Daniel indeed wrote this book. I do believe that God can indeed prophesy events through prophets like Daniel before they actually happen... A good overview of the book of Daniel - and the authorship questions - is online here. Below is a painting of Daniel by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel -
~ Daniel ~
Author: Daniel
Date: Sixth century B.C.
Content: Daniel was carried off into captivity in Babylon as a young boy where, although he was a captive, he received an education and ultimately rose to a high position in Babylonian, and later, Persian government. Because of his trust in God he was subjected to barbarous persecution, at one point being thrown to the lions. Three of his compatriots were thrown into a furnace, but they too survived by the power of God. The book deals with many historical events of Daniel’s day, but it also contains prophecies concerning the future. Daniel saw the great world empires that were to come, but saw more than just that. He also saw the power of God and the Messiah, Jesus, who was to come and undo the evil of this world, ultimately to establish a kingdom of righteousness that would never fade away.
Theme: Daniel’s major theme is the sovereignty of God. God rules over the affairs of men, directing the course of history toward his own ends, working in and through the acts of men. The kingdoms of men rise and fall but God remains forever. God’s will remains forever as well, and it is God’s determination to bring salvation to men by the Messiah whom he will send. Ultimately evil will be overcome and good will triumph because God has willed it so. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 14-15) A wonderful commentary on the book of Daniel by Bob Deffinbaugh titled “Daring to Believe Daniel” is at this link - http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=466 Below is an engraving of Daniel by Gustaf Dore -
Daniel chapter 1 verse 7 is worth diving into to show how Nebuchadnezzar was trying to change the religious alliances of these 4 young men from Jerusalem - "The chief official renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego." Daniel's name in Hebrew means "God is my Judge" - his new name Belteshazzar meant "Bel, protect his life!" Bel, or Marduk was the main Babylonian god. (you can see where Nebuchadnezzar was going with this...) Hananaih's name in Hebrew is "the Lord shows grace" and Shadrach means "under the command of Aku" - the moon god.... Mishael's name in Hebrew is "who is like God?" and his new name Meshach is "who is like Aku?" And finally Azariah's name in Hebrew is "the Lord helps" and his new name Abednego is "servant of Nego/Nebo" - the god of learning and writing. Do you think that someone's name can be reflective of who they are? Are names important?
Verse 8 is worth exploring - "But Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king." Why do you think this was? Was Daniel just being picky? Snooty? Well, that was kind of my first thought. Further study shows that the food the Babylonians were going to feed Daniel and the 3 others were sacrificed to idols. Which is not a good thing in the Law... And furthermore, the wine was poured out on pagan altars. Again, not good. So, Daniel is making a very wise move here. Will we do things like this in our own lives? Things that appear to be "harmless" on the surface, will we refuse, if we know they will actually be damaging to us or our relationship with God? Even if our peers are pressuring us? Will we not defile ourselves?
Daniel chapter 2 verse 20 has a great start to a prayer from Daniel to God - ""Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he alone has all wisdom and power." Check out the remainder of the verses in this chapter - this prayer. This praise. Do we pray to God in this manner? Do we open up our prayers with praise for God? Do we acknowledge that only God has all wisdom and power? Can we learn something from Daniel's prayer?
New Testament - 1 Peter 3 verse 13 is definitely something for each of us to consider - "Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?" I think this is very true. If you are "eager" to do good, who will want to harm you? Well, true, maybe someone who becomes jealous or who is just plain having a bad day... but generally speaking, I think we can avoid a lot of troubles in our life if we stay focused - no, eager - to do good. All the time. Are you eager to do good?
Suffering. Not something we like to think about - much less experience... 1 Peter 4 verses 1 & 2 are well worth letting sink in a bit - "So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning. And you won't spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God." Do you believe these verses to be true? Are you ready to suffer for Christ? Have you decided to stop sinning? Are you anxious to do the will of God and abandon chasing evil desires? Do you believe this is the Way?
Psalms - Psalm 119 verse 71 has an interesting take on suffering - "The suffering you sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your principles." Do you believe suffering can be good for you? Can it teach you to pay attention to God? Christianity Today magazine had a great article on Suffering in last December's issue, which you can read at this link. Also, I did find some reflections on Suffering & Grief on ChristianityToday.com that are worth reading at this link.
Proverbs - Proverbs 28 verse 14 simply should make us ask - Do I have a tender conscience? What does it mean to have a tender conscience? How does one live one's life if you have a tender conscience?
What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
I do not know where this fits in the daily Bible reading, but this is meditation on Isaiah 29, on
which I have been meditating.
Isaiah 29 (Contemprary English Version - CEV)
The LORD said:
1
Jerusalem, city of David, the place of my altar, you are in for trouble! Celebrate your festivals
year after year.
NOTES:
Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament
Isaiah wrote that, "His (God's) fire is in Zion, and his furnace is in Jerusalem" (Isaiah 31:9). Naturally, wherever the fire is, there is also the altar.
Isaiah 31:6-9 (CEV)
6
People of Israel, come back! You have completely turned from the LORD.
7
The time is coming when you will throw away your idols of silver and gold, made by your sinful hands.
8
The Assyrians will be killed, but not by the swords of humans. Their young men will try to escape, but they will be captured and forced into slavery.
9
Their fortress [NOTE]
will fall when terror strikes; their army officers will be frightened and run from the battle. This is what the LORD has said, the LORD whose fiery furnace is built on Mount Zion.
[NOTE] fortress: Hebrew text has "rock," which may refer to the Assyrian god or king, or to their army.
Isaiah 31:9, Amplified Bible
[In his flight] he shall pass beyond his rock [refuge and stronghold] because of terror; even his officers shall desert the standard in fear and panic, says the Lord, Whose fire is in Zion and Whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament (continued)
There the sacrifices were offered, the feasts were held, and there the Day of Atonement was celebrated, etc. Most significantly of all, it was there that the Great Sacrifice, that of Christ himself upon the cross, was offered.
"In the light of all this, `hearth of God' (or altar-hearth) seems to be the better understanding."
James Moffatt's Translation of the Bible (1929) renders it, "God's own hearth and altar."
THE ORIGIN OF THE MAME OF CITY OF JERUSALEM:
Abraham offered his son, the son he loved the most—the child of promise through Sarah. In the English Bibles, God named the place “Jehovah Jireh”. In Bereishis (Genesis) in the Torah, the name is “Yahweh Yireh”.
According to the Torah, the name of the city had already been called “Shalem”, a derivative of “Shalom”—Peace.
Jerusalem: “Yireh – Shalem”, “Yeru – Shalem”. On the Mountain of God’s chosen offering, God provides and there is Peace.
~~~
Since we, as New Testament believers, are the “dwelling place of God”, may we also be “God’s own hearth and altar. This is not a calling to an easy life, but to be the living sacrifice to which that He calls us.
* We are to sacrifice our mind, thoughts, way, and will for His
* We are called to display the “fire” of His Glory in our fellowships and our lives.
* We are to intercede for the nations as the Lord Jesus, Who is the Glory of God.
Isaiah 29 (CEV - continued)
2
I will still make you suffer, and your people will cry when I make an altar of you.
The Adam Clarke Commentary
In Ezekiel 43:15, we learn that Ari-el was the name of the altar of burnt-offerings, put here for the city itself in which that altar was.
Ezekiel 43:15, Amplified Bible
And the altar hearth shall be four cubits high, and from the altar hearth reaching upward there shall be four horns one cubit high.
The Adam Clarke Commentary (continued)
As the altar of burnt-offerings was surrounded daily by the victims which were offered: so the walls of Jerusalem shall be surrounded by the dead bodies of those who had rebelled against the Lord, and who should be victims to his justice.
The translation of Bishop Lowth appears to embrace both meanings: "I will bring distress upon Ari-el; and it shall be to me as the hearth of the great altar."
3
I will surround you and prepare to attack from all sides.
4
From deep in the earth, you will call out for help with only a faint whisper.
5
Then your cruel enemies will suddenly be swept away like dust in a windstorm.
~~~
6
I, the LORD All-Powerful, will come to your rescue with a thundering earthquake and a fiery
whirlwind.
~~~
The fate of Islamic nations attacking Jerusalem: “Yireh – Shalem”, “Yeru – Shalem”. On the Mountain of God’s chosen offering, God provides and there is Peace.
They forfeit peace through attacking Jerusalem.
7
Every brutal nation that attacks Jerusalem and makes it suffer will disappear like a dream when night is over.
8
Those nations that attack Mount Zion will suffer from hunger and thirst. They will dream of food and drink but wake up weary and hungry and thirsty as ever.
Prophets Who Fool Themselves
MY NOTE: Make sure to keep heart soft to Lord. The natural man cannot understand God’s wisdom, and sees His wisdom as foolish. We must understand God’s wisdom through the Holy Spirit bringing revelation to us as we pray, fast, and study God’s breath in writing—the Holy Bible.
Bringing our minds and our “wisdom” in submission to God’s Mind and God’s Wisdom is our calling and our life.
*
“Lord, I give up my mind for Your Mind”
*
“Lord, I give up my thoughts for Your Thoughts”
*
“Lord, I give up my way for Your Way”
*
“Lord, I give up my will for Your Will.”
In other words, in the words of Jesus: Ask (and keep asking) and it shall be given; seek (and keep seeking) and you shall find; knock (and keep knocking) and it shall be opened.
~~~
Isaiah 29 (CEV) continued
9
Be shocked and stunned, you prophets! Refuse to see. Get drunk and stagger, but not from wine.
10
The LORD has made you drowsy; he put you into a deep sleep and covered your head.
11
Now his message is like a sealed letter to you. Some of you say, "We can't read it, because it's sealed."
12
Others say, "We can't read it, because we don't know how to read."
13
The Lord has said: "These people praise me with their words, but they never really think about me. They worship me by repeating rules made up by humans.
14
So once again I will do things that shock and amaze them, and I will destroy the wisdom of those who claim to know and understand."
15
You are in for trouble, if you try to hide your plans from the LORD! Or if you think what you do in the dark can't be seen.
16
You have it all backwards. A clay dish doesn't say to the potter, "You didn't make me. You don't even know how."
Hope for the Future
17
Soon the forest of Lebanon will become a field with crops, thick as a forest.
18 The deaf will be able to hear whatever is read to them; the blind will be freed from a life of darkness.
19
The poor and the needy will celebrate and shout because of the LORD, the holy God of Israel.
20
All who are cruel and arrogant will be gone forever. Those who live by crime will disappear,
21
together with everyone who tells lies in court and keeps innocent people from getting a fair trial.
22
The LORD who rescued Abraham has this to say about Jacob's descendants:
"They will no longer be ashamed and disgraced.
23
When they see how great I have made their nation, they will praise and honor me, the holy God of Israel.
24
Everyone who is confused will understand, and all who have complained will obey my teaching."
Vance
Posted by: Vance Brown | November 25, 2005 at 05:59 AM