Daniel 5-7 Lions and Leopards and Bears

Daniel 5-7 Lions and Leopards and Bears

Psalm 103:6-23 Fearing and Obeying the God of Hesed

Ps 103:6 “(5 who satisfies your desire with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.) 6 Yahweh executes righteous acts, and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the children of Israel. 8 Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in hesed/loyal covenantal love. 9 He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his hesed/loyal covenantal love toward those who fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him. 14 For he knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass. As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone. Its place remembers it no more. 17 But Yahweh’s hesed/loyal covenantal love is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, his righteousness to children’s children; 18 to those who keep his covenant, to those who remember to obey his precepts.

19 Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all. 20 Praise Yahweh, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfil his word, obeying the voice of his word. 21 Praise Yahweh, all you armies of his, you servants of his, who do his pleasure. 22 Praise Yahweh, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion. Praise Yahweh, my soul!"

Observations: 103:1-5 See post on 1Chronicles 23 for vv 1-5, for six reasons to bless God.

103:6-22 The God who satisfies us is also the God to be feared, because He always keeps His sovereign promises, which is to bless those who are loyal to Him, and curse those who aren't. His hesed or loyal covenantal love requires Him to act as He's agreed to act. God is merciful and gracious to forgive our sin as He made known His ways to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7. However, His glory, as revealed to Moses in Exodus also consists in punishing sin (deliberate omission on the part of the psalmist). God removes sin from those who fear and obey Him (they no longer do it), and He doesn't hold it against them anymore, and reestablishes His relationship and covenant of blessing with them (Ex 20:6). Note that this is in no way a license to sin, but an incentive to obey. The glory of those who live for this world is transient, the glory of those who live for the next, endures throughout His eternal kingdom. This is cause for the recipients of His blessings to praise God.

Application: Fear God and keep His commandments, it's not only the whole duty of man (Ecc 12:13), but it's also the path to blessing.

Prayer: God, thanks that in Your mercy You saved me so I could live forever with You; may I fear You and keep Your commandments, which I know are for my benefit. Amen.

Proverbs 24:1-4 Secret to Treasures

Pr 24:1 “Don't be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them: 2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief. 3 Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; 4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.

Observations: 24:1-2 The evil seek profit through the short-cut of doing evil.

24:3-4 Remember Pr 22:4? Humble dependence upon and fear of God gets the goodies.

“Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes stronger through common sense and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of facts” Proverbs 24: 3-4 (Living Bible)

Application: If you want real blessings, don't do what the bad guys do.

Prayer: God, I thank You that You not only created blessings, but You clearly tell us how to get them. Amen.

Daniel 5-7 As a counterpoint to Nebuchadnezzar's beastly esperience of being humbled in chapter 4, Daniel recounts the “writing on the wall” judgment of king Belshazzar, who didn't fare as well. Then we have Daniel's deliverance from the lions' den corresponding to the fiery furnace, and another vision related to future world empires (given during Balshazzar's reign). The material is not arranged chronologically, but chiastically (see structure below), to emphasize the central point, that God judges pride, particular in those who don't learn from his works, and glorify Him. Unfortunately, many people spend more time on figuring out what ruler matches up with a particular point or horn on a beast, than they do figuring out how to humbly serve and glorify God, the point of them being on earth. Don't make the same mistake. (See TOYL - How to Glorify God for help.)

Ch 2 A Prophecy of four world empires (God's superior wisdom)

Ch 3  B God's superior power delivers His servants (fiery furnace)

Ch 4    C God's judgment on a proud ruler accepted (Nebuchadnezzar)

Ch 5    c' God's judgment on a proud ruler rejected (Belshazzar)

Ch 6   b' God's superior power delivers His servant (lion's den)

Ch 7 a' Prophecy of four world empires

Daniel 5 The Writing on the Wall

5:1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 2 Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, might drink from them. 3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, drank from them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. 5 In the same hour came forth the fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king’s face was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his thighs were loosened, and his knees struck one against another. 7 The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whoever shall read this writing, and show me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. 8 Then came in all the king’s wise men; but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation. 9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his face was changed in him, and his lords were perplexed.

10 Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: the queen spoke and said, O king, live forever; don’t let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your face be changed. 11 There is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and the king Nebuchadnezzar your father, the king, I say, your father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; 12 because an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation. 13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, Are you that Daniel, who are of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah? 14 I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me its interpretation; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing. 16 But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations, and dissolve doubts; now if you can read the writing, and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. 17 Then Daniel answered before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 You, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty: 19 and because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he killed, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: 21 and he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys; he was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky; until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will. 22 You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, 23 but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, you have not glorified.

24 Then was the part of the hand sent from before him, and this writing was inscribed. 25 This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God has numbered your kingdom, and brought it to an end; 27 TEKEL; you are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting. 28 PERES; your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. 29 Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30 In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain. 31 Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Observations: 5:1-21 Clichés can contain wisdom: Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Like father, like son (sorta); Read the writing on the wall; Don't praise false gods while drinking wine out of vessels from the temple of the Most High God. Well, maybe the last one isn't a cliché, but Nebuchadnezzar's son, Belshazzar, failed to learn from his father's example and proclamation in the previous chapter. He had lots of evidence that the God of Israel was superior to anything Babylon had, yet he honored the false gods above the Most High God of the Hebrews, and failed to glorify the God who gives him breath and oversees his ways (5:23). As mentioned in the introduction, many spend more time figuring out a point of prophecy than they do figuring out the point of life, and doing it.

5:22-30 The writing on the wall was a message of coming judgment: Measured, Weighed, Wanting, Whacked. “Upharsain” is Aramaic for “intentionally break in two” and as a noun means “half-shekel.” “Peres” is the singular participial form meaning “divided.” Daniel didn't express the regret over the vision as he had with Nebuchadnezzar, which is a hint about how he felt towards Belshazzar, which wouldn't have been very positive. Belshazzar failed to serve God as had Nebuchadnezzar, but instead disrespected Him, using his position only for his passions and pleasure. There was no Davidic Covenant in place to protect him, so God removed him from life and the kingdom from him. It was given to the Medes and Persians, and Darius the Mede ruled in Babylon.

Application: Humbly serve and glorify God, who has revealed Himself in His words and ways, or drink the cup of His wrath.

Prayer: Holy God, grant that I will always be mindful of Your holiness, and never take You or Your gifts for granted, nor fail to use them for Your purposes. Amen.

Daniel 6 Lion's Den

6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; that these satraps might give account to them, and that the king should have no damage. 3 Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, because he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, we shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

6 Then these presidents and satraps assembled together to the king, and said thus to him, King Darius, live forever. 7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong decree, that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except of you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t alter. 9 Therefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. 10 When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.

11 Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. 12 Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king’s decree: Haven’t you signed an decree, that every man who shall make petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t alter. 13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, doesn’t respect you, O king, nor the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day. 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the going down of the sun to rescue him. 15 Then these men assembled together to the king, and said to the king, Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree nor statute which the king establishes may be changed. 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spoke and said to Daniel, your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you. 17 A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.

18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep fled from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 When he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spoke and said to Daniel, Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions? 21 Then Daniel said to the king, O king, live forever. 22 My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me; because as before him innocence was found in me; and also before you, O king, have I done no hurt. 23 Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 The king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions mauled them, and broke all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den.

25 Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; and his dominion shall be even to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Observations: 6:1-24 This is one of the best known stories of the Bible, but despite its popularity, many miss the point. Daniel had purposed in his heart that he would be loyal to God in 1:8, and as a result was blameless toward God and man. He could not be charged with any wrongdoing before either. He depended upon God while running a world empire, humbly seeking Him throughout each day, every day. In that context, one can expect opposition from evil, jealous self-serving co-workers and subordinates. But one can also expect God's grace and protection. God protected Daniel because he trusted in Him, and was innocent, and his trust was obvious to all around him, including his boss, Darius. Daniel's witness at work, as a slave brought captive to a foreign country against his will, resulted in the whole known world knowing that his God, was the living God, who is worthy of all fear and worship. King Darius decreed it. Daniel had a daily testimony before they tried to toss him into the lion's den. The trial just magnified it. God not only rescued and prospered him, but his enemies became cat food.

6:25-28 Darius' decree reads like a psalm, praising God for His everlasting dominion and kingdom, as a result of the work He did in saving Daniel.

Application: Those who faithfully serve God can expect tests and triumphs that glorify God.

Prayer: God, may I be faithful to serve You regardless of the cost, and may You be glorified by my life, today, and tomorrow, and... Amen.

Daniel 7 The Ancient of Days and Four Beasts

7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed: then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters. 2 Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke forth on the great sea. 3 Four great animals came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I saw until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand on two feet as a man; and a man’s heart was given to it. 5 Behold, another animal, a second, like a bear; and it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth: and they said thus to it, Arise, devour much flesh. 6 After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the animal had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, a fourth animal, awesome and powerful, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse from all the animals that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

9 I watched until the thrones were cast down/placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire. 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 11 I saw at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke; I saw even until the animal was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire. 12 As for the rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. 17 These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever. 19 Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was diverse from all of them, exceedingly terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of brass; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet; 20 and concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke great things, whose look was more stout than its fellows. 21 I saw, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22 until the ancient of days came, and judgment was pronounced in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 23 Thus he said, The fourth animal shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be different from the former, and he shall put down three kings. 25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall harass the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. 26 But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end. 27 The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. 28 Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts much troubled me, and my face was changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Observations: 7:1-8 This chapter, as does chapter 6, precedes chapter 5, to fit the chiastic pattern and correspond to the vision of Nebuchadnezzar in chapter two (see introduction chiasm). See the chart for the comparison of the beasts with the image Nebuchadnezzar saw. Daniel sees four beasts raised up out of the sea, which is prophet-speak for the Gentiles. Dominion was given to them. The fourth beast gets additional description, having greater power, ten horns, and then one “little horn” with eyes and a big boastful mouth.

7:9-14 Daniel sees another vision of God in His glory, on His throne, (like Ezekiel did) and calls Him the “Ancient of Days.” Surrounding Him are thousands of angels, ready to do His will. He opens the books (cf Rev 20) and pronounces judgment, deposing and destroying the evil little horn in fire. Then coming in the clouds Daniel sees the “Son of Man” who is given glory, dominion, and an everlasting kingdom.

7:15-28 Daniel is a little perplexed and asks a guiding angel (who turns out to be Gabriel - 8:16; 9:21) to interpret for him. The beasts are kings of various kingdoms, but the saints (holy ones of Israel) will receive the final, everlasting kingdom. Daniel asks about the powerful fourth beast, and the fierce and terrible “little horn.” The interpretation is distressing: the fourth kingdom will devour the whole earth and break it in pieces. Out of this kingdom ten kings (kingdoms/countries) willl arise, and then after them, the “little horn” will destroy three kingdoms, exalt himself against God, change all laws and times/calendar, ruling as an absolute world dictator, and oppress the saints of Israel for three and a half years (Rev 11:3; 12:6, 14; 13:5). Then he will be destroyed (as in the previous section), and the greatness of all kingdoms will be given to the saints of the Most High, forever. This obviously hasn't happened yet, for there has not been a total world dictator fitting the description, who was destroyed, followed by Israel permanently becoming the preeminent nation on earth. When that happens, all nations will serve and obey God (7:27). This hasn't happened yet, has it?

Many have observed the progression of world powers following these prophecies: Babylon, the lion who conquered all the known nations, was conquered by the Medes and the Persians, the bear who also ate up Assyria and Egypt; the Greeks, swift like a leopard, conquered the world under Alexander, and then split into four kingdoms; the Romans, particularly under Caesar Augustus, conquered the greatest territory, incorporating many nations, some weak and some strong, and are the best bet for the final beast with ten kings. The “little horn” cannot be second century BC badman Antiochus Epiphanes, because the exaltation of the everlasting Messianic kingdom didn't follow it. Many commentators identify the ten kings as leaders of a “revived” Roman empire, and the “little horn” as the future Antichrist (cf Isa 27:1; Mt. 24:5, 15; 2Thess 2:3-4; 1Jn 2:18; 4:3; Rev 13; 17; 19).

For those who want more detail on the beasts, study the chart below or consult J. Dwight Pentecost in “Things to Come” or a condensed version of his work in “The Bible Knowledge Commentary,” under “The Book of Daniel.”

Application: The main point of the passage (and chiastic section) is to demonstrate that Yahweh rules over the nations of earth, not just Israel. He will judge them all, and give an everlasting kingdom to Israel, under the Messiah, as promised. Even though things might not look promising, God will always do what He promised, and act in righteousness, justice and hesed. Therefore, His holy ones should not be distressed when it looks like the wicked win, but remain loyal to god.

Prayer: God, regardless of how things look, I know that You are in control, working out Your purposes of judging evil and protecting the righteous; may I seek to live as all will live in the future, serving and obeying You. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God rules over the earth, men, and beasts, kings and kingdoms. He has a plan for establishing His holy people (saints) as the preeminent nation on earth, and having all serve and obey Him. He raises and abases world rulers according to His purposes. He protects and exalts His servants, according to His promises. There is never a moment when He is not in control, although He lets it look like that sometimes to judge His people for their rejection of Him.

Us in a nutshell: If we are loyal to God we can expect opposition from evil people, and protection from our infinitely good and loyal God. If we seek to understand God's word so we can better serve Him, He will guide us. If we fail to glorify Him, He will find someone else to accomplish His purposes, so be a good steward of all He entrusts to you.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Daniel complete text

Daniel 5

5:1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 2 Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, might drink from them. 3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, drank from them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. 5 In the same hour came forth the fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king’s face was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his thighs were loosened, and his knees struck one against another. 7 The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whoever shall read this writing, and show me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. 8 Then came in all the king’s wise men; but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation. 9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his face was changed in him, and his lords were perplexed.

10 Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: the queen spoke and said, O king, live forever; don’t let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your face be changed. 11 There is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and the king Nebuchadnezzar your father, the king, I say, your father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; 12 because an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation. 13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, Are you that Daniel, who are of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah? 14 I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me its interpretation; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing. 16 But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations, and dissolve doubts; now if you can read the writing, and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. 17 Then Daniel answered before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 You, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty: 19 and because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he killed, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: 21 and he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys; he was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky; until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will. 22 You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, 23 but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then was the part of the hand sent from before him, and this writing was inscribed. 25 This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God has numbered your kingdom, and brought it to an end; 27 Tekel; you are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting. 28 Peres; your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. 29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

30 In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain. 31 Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Daniel 6

6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; that these satraps might give account to them, and that the king should have no damage. 3 Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, because he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, we shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

6 Then these presidents and satraps assembled together to the king, and said thus to him, King Darius, live forever. 7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong decree, that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except of you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t alter. 9 Therefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. 10 When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.

11 Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. 12 Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king’s decree: Haven’t you signed an decree, that every man who shall make petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t alter. 13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, doesn’t respect you, O king, nor the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day. 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he laboured until the going down of the sun to rescue him. 15 Then these men assembled together to the king, and said to the king, Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree nor statute which the king establishes may be changed. 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spoke and said to Daniel, your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you. 17 A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.

18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep fled from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 When he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spoke and said to Daniel, Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions? 21 Then Daniel said to the king, O king, live forever. 22 My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me; because as before him innocence was found in me; and also before you, O king, have I done no hurt. 23 Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 The king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions mauled them, and broke all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den.

25 Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; and his dominion shall be even to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel 7

7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed: then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters. 2 Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke forth on the great sea. 3 Four great animals came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I saw until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand on two feet as a man; and a man’s heart was given to it. 5 Behold, another animal, a second, like a bear; and it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth: and they said thus to it, Arise, devour much flesh. 6 After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the animal had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, a fourth animal, awesome and powerful, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse from all the animals that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

9 I saw until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire. 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 11 I saw at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke; I saw even until the animal was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire. 12 As for the rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. 17 These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever. 19 Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was diverse from all of them, exceedingly terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of brass; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet; 20 and concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke great things, whose look was more stout than its fellows. 21 I saw, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22 until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 23 Thus he said, The fourth animal shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the former, and he shall put down three kings. 25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. 26 But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end. 27 The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. 28 Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts much troubled me, and my face was changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Genesis 20-22 The First Use of "Worship" in the Bible

Bill Blurb: There will not be a Daily Truthbase during the weekends. You can use the time to review what you might have missed. Pick out your favorite thoughts, and let me know what was helpful in your walk with God. Then, if you have time, go back over the “God and Us in a nutshell” sections (under Digging Deeper in previous posts), and start building your own Biblical Theology. See Introduction in the Sidebar for help. Don't miss Genesis 22 (below) and the Digging Deeper note on it. It's totally “worth” it :)

Psalm 5:1-4 Do You Watch for the Answers?

5:2 ”Give ear to my words, Yahweh. Consider my meditation. 2 Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God; for to You do I pray. 3 Yahweh, in the morning You shall hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my requests before You, and will watch expectantly. 4 For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can't live with You.“

Observation: If God is our King, doesn't it make sense to check in with Him in the morning and see what He has to say about your day? Do you actually believe that God will answer you? If so, do you watch for it?

Application: Bring your To-Do list before God every morning. Instead of a check, put a cross next to the item you did with a Power Assist. Or keep a journal or prayer list so you can develop a track record of God's faithfulness.

Prayer: My King, here are my plans and requests for the day, anything You want to change? OK, I'll be on the lookout for how You're going to answer. Amen.

Proverbs 2:1-4 Wisdom is Not an Accident

2:1 “My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you; 2 So as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures: 5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding."

Observations: Note the verbs (action words) indicating what we must do to get wisdom.

Application: A good way to store up the commands is to memorize them. When was the last time you memorized a verse?

Prayer: God who formed the world by Your word, I will treasure everything You've said. Amen.

Genesis 20-22 The First Use of "Worship" in the Bible

[Skip ahead below to Genesis 22 for a BIG chapter on Worship if you're short on time.]

Genesis 20 More Righteous than Abraham and Sarah

20:1 "Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South...2 Abraham said about Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken. For she is a man’s wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation? 5 Didn’t he tell me, ‘She is my sister?’ She, even she herself, said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands have I done this.” 6 God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her. 7 Now therefore, restore the man’s wife. For he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. If you don’t restore her, know for sure that you will die, you, and all who are yours.”

8 Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. The men were very scared. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done!” 10 Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you have done this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely the fear of God is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife’s sake.’ 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.13 It happened, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, ‘This is your kindness which you shall show to me. Everywhere that we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”..."

Observations: God communicates with Abimelech, a non-Israelite with a clean heart and hands, who fears and obeys God impressively. Abe is up to his old tricks of self-preservation, even though he saw how God could protect in the last chapter. God could even send angels just as He did for Lot. Abe actually endangers the promise of Sarah bearing his son, but God overrules his folly. God gives Abimelech the choice of obeying. (Well, He did apply a little persuasion with promised consequences.)

20:7 So now Abe's a “prophet”? First use of the word in Scripture; ditto the Hebrew word for intercessory prayer (although bargaining for righteous folks in Sodom is intercessory action).

Application: Fearing man more than God leads to foolish actions.

Prayer: God Who Intervenes, may I fear You more than anyone or anything on earth. Amen.

Genesis 21 Laughing and Weeping and Swearing

21:1 "Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said, and Yahweh did to Sarah as he had spoken. 2 Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.4 Abraham circumcised his son, Isaac, when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him...5 Abraham was one hundred years old when his son, Isaac, was born to him. 6 Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.” 7 She said, “Who would have said to Abraham, that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.

”9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. 10 Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this handmaid and her son! For the son of this handmaid will not be heir with my son, Isaac.” ...15 The water in the bottle was spent, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. 16 She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of the child.” She sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept. 17 God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him in your hand. For I will make him a great nation.” 19 God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, filled the bottle with water, and gave the boy drink. 20 God was with the boy (Ishmael)... 22 It happened at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do. 23 Now, therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son. But according to the kindness that I have done to you, you shall do to me, and to the land in which you have lived as a foreigner.”24 Abraham said, “I will swear.” 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and called there on the name of Yahweh, the Everlasting God. 34 Abraham lived as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines many days."

Observations: 21:1 God does what He promised, despite the dismal prospect of their age, causing laughter at the incongruity. Isaac's name means “he laughs.”

21:9 There are lots of parallels with Israel's experience in this chapter. The theme of separation for the sake of blessing continues. Freeing a slave and her child deprived them of any inheritance rights according to Mesopotamian law.

See Digging Deeper for Paul's use of this passage in Galatians 4.

21:19 Sometimes the solution to our problems are right in front of us, but while fixating on the problems, we don't see the solution until God opens our eyes.

21:22 Even though Abe wasn't perfect in his dealings with Abimelech (see last post), God's purposes in separating and blessing Abe so others could be blessed is being realized. A lesson for both Israel and us. The covenant between Abe and Abimelech sets the stage for peaceful influence on one's neighbors.

Application: Make a break with anything that will mess up your blessing; make friends so others seek God thru you.

Prayer: Everlasting God, I praise You for being so faithful to keep Your promises. May I keep the ones I've made to You. Amen.

Genesis 22 Worship is Response to Revelation

22:1 "It happened after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Now take your son, your only son, whom you love, even Isaac, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there for a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.” 3 Abraham rose early in the morning...went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place far off. 5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go yonder. We will WORSHIP, and come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He took in his hand the fire and the knife. They both went together. 7 Isaac spoke...where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

8 Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they both went together. 9 They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood. 10 Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to kill his son. 11 The angel of Yahweh called to him out of the sky, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.”

12 He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy, neither do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

13 Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 Abraham called the name of that place Yahweh Will Provide*. As it is said to this day, “On Yahweh’s mountain, it will be provided.”

15 The angel of Yahweh called to Abraham a second time out of the sky,16 and said, “I have sworn by myself, says Yahweh, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 that I will bless you greatly, (in blessing I will bless you) and I will multiply your seed greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore. Your seed will possess the gate of his enemies. 18 In your seed will all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice”...

Observations: 22:5 This is the first time the English term “Worship” is used in the Scripture, although sacrifices and were offered previously, and Abe was falling on his face (Hebrew word for worship) before God a few times earlier. How did Abe worship? By obediently Responding to the Revelation God had given him. Abe demonstrated that God was worth more than what was most dear to him, and by withholding nothing, glorified God as Worthy of all. When God reveals His glory later on, people respond to that revelation by doing push-ups (face on ground). He reveals himself in answering prayer and saving His people, the response is praise and thanksgiving. He reveals His will, we do it. The essence of Worship is Response to Revelation, starting with cognitive understanding, expressed by our volitional will in sacrificial obedience, and culminating in emotional joy, because we know we are pleasing to God (in choosing what is best). How do you think Abe felt about obeying?

See Digging Deeper for how Abe used logic to come up with the concept of Resurrection.

22:12 Note how Fear of the Lord enters into obedience.

22:17 Double Blessing!! That's how the Hebrew text reads (using the Piel intensive, intentional form of the verb twice). As a result of his sacrificial, God glorifying obedience, God

increase the promised blessing. Since chapter 12, God hadn't talked to Abe about the blessing part of the promise. Now that Abe passed the test perfectly, God adds a plus to the A = A+.

Application: How are you at Responding to God's Revelation? Did you score well on any tests lately?

Prayer: O God of tests and double blessings, unite my ambitions to fear Your name above all in this world, and show that You are Worthy of all glory, by my unreserved, mind, heart and soul obedience. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

Genesis 21:9 Paul uses this passage in Galatians 4:21ff to argue against NT believers succumbing to Jewish pressure, and submitting themselves to the ceremonial requirements of the Jewish law (e.g., Galatians 3:10; Galatians 5:2). He sets up an analogy: Hagar, a slave has offspring according to the flesh, and represents the law (thru Ishmael there is no eternal inheritance); Sarah, a freewoman, has offspring according to the promise (thru which comes the eternal inheritance).
The promise of heirship/inheritance comes from God, thru Sarah's offspring, (Isaac, and eventually the freedom Christ offers), not thru the bondage of the flesh (desire for the temporal), represented by Hagar, and keeping the external law to get one's value from men.