Reading:  Daniel 1-3
Posted:  September 21, 2014


Daniel was a person of some standing before he was taken captive, perhaps of noble birth, since the chief officer was told to search for nobles and royalty.   The first account of his wisdom is found in chapter 1, where he negotiates with the chief official to obtain different meals.   I noticed that Daniel first appealed to the chief official, who liked him, but turned down his request because he was afraid of the king.   Daniel then proposes to the guard that they conduct a test.   It's only 10 days, so if the effects are negative, they can quickly be changed.   The guard agrees, and Daniel and his companions have secured their first victory.

1:17 reminds us that Daniel and his friends weren't wise on their own, their intelligence came from God.   In fact, that's where all understanding comes from.  Even today, those who have great insight have it because God has given them ability to learn and understand.

Nebuchadnezzar's dream and the interpretation of it are a glimpse into the future.   I have to chuckle when I read of king Nebuchadessar being suspicious of his wise men.  Sometimes it seems that those who are around powerful people will say whatever they want to hear.  the king suspects that they aren't nearly as wise as they profess to be....just "yes men".    Daniel is revealed to be a true prophet and wise man.   He knows what the king dreamed before he is told.  

Don't miss the fact that the edict to kill all wise men (including Daniel) has already been given.  When Daniel interpreted this dream, it was "do or die".   God likes to work miracles when it seems that there isn't any other way out of the situation.    Sometimes that places us in scary positions, trusting that God is going to show up and deliver us.   Not all miracles take place on mountain tops, sometimes they are in the valleys as well.

The four types of metal represent 4 kingdoms:   The Babylonians,  the Medes and Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans.    The Roman empire is the feet of iron and clay...which extends to this day. We never really had another empire beyond the Roman empire...and the United States takes much of it's system of government and rule of law from the Romans.   Sadly, I believe that we are the feet of iron and clay.   We have become believers in many gods, and in some cases we don't seem to believe at all.   (speaking on a national scale).   No country that believes in God should allow abortion, or remove prayer from schools.  Or build mosques, or teach many different faiths in the elementary and secondary schools.   Countries that believe in God don't remove copies of the 10 commandments from state property.

One glaring point is this:  there are only four kingdoms mentioned, and we have already seen all four.    I think we are out of time.

One last thought (wow, is Daniel ever rich with illustration and content!)

The three friends that are defiant didn't know that they would be saved when they refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar.   They simply knew that God wouldn't approve, and life itself was not worth keeping if it meant surrendering their relationship with God.   Why live with Nebuchadnezzar's blessing if you lost the blessing of God in the process?     Because of their faithfulness, God assures that they are promoted, and influence a larger portion of the population.

Here's the point:   devotion and obedience come before position and influence.   Don't expect God to put you in a position of influence before you have learned humility and sacrifice.    And, once you have learned humility and sacrifice....you won't be impressed by positions of power and influence.

I think that our society wants to have the lofty title and the esteemed position without having to give anything up.  "we want it all", but you can't be a lover of both God and money.  You must choose.   Once again, just like Daniel was, the three men are placed in a "life or death" situation, and God rescues them because they chose well.

Many great men have stepped into the fire, and faced down the sword since that day, and God hasn't stayed the blade.  They died for their faith.  That's important to note, I think.    However, I believe that in so doing they have gained a reward in heaven that is far more valuable than anything they could have achieved on earth.

May we be honored and privileged to do likewise, should the same decision be thrust upon us.


PR