Deut. 6:4-5; Daniel 3:1-12, Tested

 The issue in this story is: who is the god who will deliver you from my hands (Dan. 3:15)?  Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, from childhood, knew the Shema: Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one! (Deut. 6:4).  Growing up in Judah there would have been no opposition to this.  But now, in secular society, where one god is as good as another, and all gods have their place, their faith would be tested.

This event took place likely several years after Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.  The King built an image of gold (gold plated, perhaps) that was around ninety feet high and nine feet wide.  There were two cities called “Dura,” one near the Euphrates and one near the Tigris; perhaps the plain was between the two.  The exact nature of the officials (v2) and the musical instruments (v5) is also uncertain.

One good question is, where was Daniel in all of this?  Certainly, he did not bow down in worship to the image.  Yet it seems he should have been there.  It may be his higher position exempted him.  Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar’s respect for Daniel (2:47) gave him an exemption.  The fact that Daniel includes this story, even when he is not part of it, indicates there was a valid reason as to why he was not there.

It is possible this was an opportunity to discredit the Jews.  Serious Jews would have been the only ones with a problem here.  Others would be permitted to bow to Nebuchadnezzar while also worshiping their own god.  Serious Jews knew that there was only one God, and that the necessary conclusion to that was that you loved Him with all your heart, soul and strength!  Failure to do this was to engage in idolatry.

What is idolatry?  It is to give glory to another that only belongs to God.  I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images (Isa. 42:8; 48:11).  From specific “idolatrous moments” in Israel’s history we see that idolatry is …

·       Attributing God’s work to someone else.  In the wilderness, the golden calf was said to be the god who brought you out of Egypt (Ex. 32:4).

·       Using God for my purposes.  Jeroboam created a religious system in Israel to keep the people from going to Jerusalem to worship God (1 Ki. 12:25-33).

·       Compartmentalizing or limiting God.  The Arameans did this when they said Israel’s God was “god of the mountains” but not the valleys (1 Kings 20:23-25).

·       Blaspheming God / placing God on a par with other gods.  The Assyrians in Hezekiah’s day did this, warning that as the gods of other nations had not been able to resist them, neither would the God of Israel (2 Ki. 18:31-36; 19:6).

In the above stories God always showed Himself to be glorious.  In the first two, He showed it by His judgment upon idolatrous Israel.  In the last two, He showed it by delivering Israel from their enemies.  Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were providing God the opportunity to demonstrate His glory.  As always, He did!

Psalm 125

There are difficulties along the path of our pilgrimage.  And then there are extreme difficulties.  Sprain your ankle, that’s hard; be diagnosed with cancer, that’s really hard.  One of our children gets sick, that’s hard; one of our children dies, that is grievous.  Suffer a financial setback is difficult; lose your job unexpectedly, that’s major.  To lose a friend because you are following Christ is hard.  But to have your family turn against you, that is unimaginably hard.

In the case of the pilgrim, to experience the contempt and scorn of those around him was hard and he cried out to the Lord for mercy (Psalm 123).  But to have people rise up against him and his fellow pilgrims in an attempt to force them off the path, that is a big problem.  It challenges his spiritual existence.  They would have swallowed us alive by their anger.  It’s not a physical attack though that might be involved.  It was an attack on our soul.  We are threatened with serious discouragement, with thoughts of quitting, second thoughts of whether or not the former life was all that bad, or failed expectations about how we thought this new path was supposed to be. 

Part of the problem with these soul-threatening attacks is that they come upon us suddenly.  They are a trap that springs on us from out of nowhere.  In an instant we are overwhelmed.  We feel hopeless and helpless because this is a situation beyond our control.

But wait!  We remember.  Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  God is for us; He is on our side.  If God was not for us in this we would indeed be in a hopeless situation.  But He is on our side.  When Paul brought this to our attention in Rom. 8:31 (If God be for us, who can be against us) the conclusion was that nothing could separate us from the God we seek as we make our pilgrimage in this life (Rom. 8:32-39). 

By persevering patient trust the pilgrim comes to the time, in God’s time, when he blesses the Lord for making a way of escape.  Like the bird, we cannot force the trap open ourselves; but the One on whom we depend enables us to flee from those trials that can destroy us.  Remember the words of 1 Corinthians 10:13:

·        No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;

·        But God is faithful,

·        Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,

·        But with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

These kinds of events in life are truly life changing.  But it need not be the change in which we become bitter or angry or depressed.  These events can be the reason for which we bless the Lord who is on our side.  He is our help, even in the trials that extend far beyond our own ability.  He is faithful.  Let us be faithful.

1 Peter 2:4-10, Nebuchadnezzar Predicted Christ

 We see Jesus Christ in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.  The Stone is cut out of a mountain, as Christ came from the mass of humanity.  The Stone crushes the nations, as Christ shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel (Psa. 2:9).  The Stone becomes a great mountain that fills the earth, which is true of Jesus’ earthly kingdom.  Jesus is, of course, the stone the builders rejected which became the chief cornerstone (Ps. 118:22; Mt. 21:42; Acts 4:11; Eph. 2:20). 

The stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, indicating it is God’s doing.  Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation’ (Isa. 28:16). This stone is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel (Isa. 8:14).  Peter brings all these important prophecies together in 1 Peter 2:6-8.

There are many attacks on the truth of this prophecy.  Some hold that the eternal kingdom that is established is the Church, or that it is a “spiritual” kingdom.  They also suggest that the image represents the evil world system in which we live, and that the system is gradually falling apart and that the church will become dominant.  But these views do not fit the dream of Nebuchadnezzar.  The dream uses much symbolism.  But the symbolism (e.g. the gold head) speaks of very real, earthly entities (e.g. the empire of Babylon).  And the stone cut out of the mountain does not eat away at the image; it suddenly and completely crushes it.  The future, final fulfillment of the prophecy must fit the various fulfillments that are already past.  As Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome were historical entities, so the future earthly reign of Christ will be an actual, earthly entity.

Some have questioned Daniel’s authenticity.  Some point to the supposed inaccuracy of the date in Dan. 2:1. We dealt with this previously (Day 3), showing that Daniel’s third year of training in Babylon was also Nebuchadnezzar’s second year as king.  Still others hold that the differing languages of Daniel (Hebrew and Aramaic) show that there were different authors.  Their ultimate purpose is to show that the prophecies of the coming kingdoms were the writing of a later author, one who was writing history rather than predicting where history would go.  The different languages actually confirm that Daniel was the human author.  He was a man who knew Hebrew, and who had a concern for his Israelite brethren; yet, he was a man who knew well the language of Nebuchadnezzar. 

This prophecy, and the others to come in Daniel, reveal to us the future plan of God for Israel and for the world.  They provide a powerful confirmation of the character of God, the word of God, and the Son of God.  As Isaiah spoke of God: Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure (Isa. 46:10).

Daniel 2:31-45, Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

 
We now come to the content of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.  Here are a few brief notes about the setting.  First, from Dan. 2:4 through the end of Chapter 7, Daniel wrote in Aramaic.  The rest of Daniel is Hebrew except for 15 words in Persian and 3 in Greek.  Second, in summary, the subject of the dream is the latter days (2:28) and what will come to pass after this (i.e. things in the future, v29), and specifically, secrets made known by God in heaven who reveals secrets.

In 2:31-36 Daniel does what the Chaldeans acknowledged they could never do, which was to describe the dream without Nebuchadnezzar revealing it to them.  Then, in 2:37-45, Daniel gives the interpretation.  The dream itself is not complicated.  The king saw an image with a gold head, silver torso and arms, bronze hips, iron legs and feet of iron mixed with clay.  Then he saw a stone cut out of a mountain that crushed the image to pieces, and then the stone became a great mountain.

Understanding Daniel’s interpretation is also not particularly difficult.  The different parts of the image represent various kingdoms.  Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon were the head of gold, the rule of one king being the most efficient type of government.  The torso with the two arms were the kingdom that would replace them, the Medo-Persians.  The “monarchical oligarchy” (a king who was subject to laws, and other rulers of equal strength but lower position) was inferior.  The kingdom of bronze was the Greeks of Alexander (Dan. 8:20-21 specifically names Greece as the third kingdom).  It was a military rule.  The kingdom of Iron was Rome.  The governing approach was inferior, but it was strong and involved more territory.  The two legs represented the eventual east and west division of Rome.

The iron and clay kingdom was related to Rome (the iron).  Some have concluded the mix represents a kingdom that involves dictatorship (iron) and socialism or democracy (clay).  This kingdom is somewhat loosely joined, as iron and clay do not adhere to one another.  Daniel notes the ten toes, some of which are iron and some clay.  The kingdom of God (the one He sets up) destroys the other kingdoms, first smashing the feet so that the image falls, and then pulverizing the entire image. 

This kingdom will never be destroyed; it will stand forever.  This happens in the days of these kings (v44).  This is a key truth in explaining why these empires are singled out in history.  For one thing, they were all “tower of Babel” types of empires, established in an attempt to gather all people under their authority (Gen. 11:4).  Second, they were to be the kingdoms under which Israel would serve during what the Bible calls “the times of the Gentiles.”  This prophetic dream, given to a pagan king, was given for the sake of God’s earthly people.  It tells us that while Israel suffers under the rule of the nations, their God has a plan that will eventually result in their salvation.

Daniel 2:16-30,46-49, The Lord Exalted through Daniel

 By the end of this story the God of Israel was highly exalted (v47).  But so were Daniel (v48) and his friends (v49).  Here are some things to note about Daniel, and how he honored God, that made all this possible.

·       2:14-16: Daniel honored God by his submission to authority.  Daniel did not panic or become rebellious when the edict was handed down.  God was in control and Daniel knew it.  Thus, with counsel and wisdom, he answered his executioner.

·       2:17-18: Daniel honored God by involving others in the matter.  Daniel was not the strong individualist.  It was not “me and God are a majority” approach that he took.  Daniel knew the value of fellowship and the prayers of others.  This was, in fact, a rather significant situation.  Their lives were at stake.  When we face hard times alone, and God brings us through, the temptation is to exalt ourselves when we give our testimony, that we were alone in standing for God.  If we are alone, it is because we have forfeited His provision of brothers and sisters in Christ, people God has given us to strengthen us.    

·       2:19-23: Daniel honored God by blessing God.  The answer came in a night vision, indicating Daniel was awake when the answer came (i.e. it was not a dream).  The first thing Daniel did was not to get up and go to the king; it was to bow in honor and praise to the King, the Sovereign LORD.  The theme of his praise is “the wisdom and power of God.”  He has the power to exalt and humble men, even the greatest of kings.  And God gives wisdom and understanding to those who call upon Him.  Daniel experienced what the Psalmist had experienced.  He was wiser than his enemies, had more understanding than his teachers, and knew more than the ancients, all because he sought God (Ps. 119:98-100).  Daniel did not rise boastfully before his friends; rather in humility they blessed God.

·       2:24-30: Daniel honored God by crediting God before others.  What a great line in v24: do not destroy the wise men of Babylon.  These men were being left alive, and would see the glory of the God of Israel.  Nebuchadnezzar would also see God’s glory, because Daniel made it clear that he was not the star of this story.  The king asks Daniel, are you able (v26).  Daniel answers, there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets (v28). 

The result of all this was that the king himself got the point.  Yes, he bowed before Daniel; that’s all he knew to do.  What he could see is that your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets (v47).  This is the first step in a journey of King Nebuchadnezzar that we see in Daniel’s prophecy.  In a religion where there are countless gods, and where none of them particularly stand out, Nebuchadnezzar has been brought face to face with the true God.  It could only happen because the person God used was himself humbled before his God.

Daniel 2:1-16, The God of Israel or the gods of Babylon

 We need to have a proper perspective about who we are in this sinful world.  When I say “we” I am talking about the people of God, Christians, the Church!  This world is not wrapped up in “Republican vs. Democrat,” conservative vs. liberal, union vs. management.  I am not saying these contests might not touch on the real battle, but they are not the battle.  We are in a battle; and this world is the battlefield.  The battle is for the souls of men.  They are currently ruled by the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience (Eph. 2:2).  Yet, by the authority of the Creator, they belong to His Christ (Psa. 2:6-9).

This battle was raging in the days of Daniel.  It was not Daniel vs. Nebuchadnezzar or Daniel and his friends vs. the magicians of Babylon.  It was the one and only true God vs. the gods of Babylon, and beyond, the gods of this world.  It is as it was in Egypt, when it was not really Moses vs. Pharaoh but God showing His power against the gods of Egypt.  It is as it was in the days of Joshua, who called the people to choose between the gods of the Amorites or the LORD (Josh. 24:15).  It is as it was on Mt. Carmel, when Elijah challenged the people, “How long will you falter between two opinions?” (1 Ki. 18:21).

God already brought honor to Himself when He worked through Daniel in Ch. 1.  Now it happens again.  It happens because Daniel trusts and honors God.  As in the first story, Daniel never takes a combative stance with his “captors” but rather, respectfully, gets permission from them to allow God to demonstrate His power. 

The story takes place in the Daniel’s second year in Babylon, while he is still in “college” (2:1).  Amazingly, God spoke to Nebuchadnezzar, the Gentile king.  The king had dreams that troubled him.  They were so troubling he wanted to be sure he got a true interpretation of them.  Thus, the Babylonian king put the Babylonian wise men (the Chaldeans) in a difficult spot, where they could not make up an answer (v2-11).  The king was no fool.  He knew the obvious, that people around him were prone to say things they thought he might like to hear.  Nebuchadnezzar wanted the truth. 

Some have theorized that the king was using this situation to gain control over the Chaldeans, who wielded a lot of power.  But the Scriptures tell us that what the king was doing was seeking the truth.  What he got was delay, stalling tactics.  So, the decree began to be implemented (v12-14).

We like to point out one important truth that the wise men of Babylon espoused.  They rightly pointed out that the gods of Babylon did not dwell with flesh (v11).  It’s a fact.  There is only one God who ever became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1:14).  There is only one God of grace like that, Who was so “mindful” (caring) of humans, that He visited them (Ps. 8:4).  Because of this the wise men of Babylon were in great trouble.

Daniel 1:11-21; Psalm 73:25-28, Who is your Portion? (3)

 One of the things we learn from the Bible books that deal with the Babylonian Captivity, is how to deal with pagan governments.  We continue today to live in “the times of the Gentiles.”  For Israel, they first learned this under the Babylonians, and then, as we will see in Dan. 2, under the Persians, Greeks and Romans.  I say they learned this.  Actually, they were taught this.  What we see in the Gospels is that the Jews of the day never did learn how to live for God under the Romans.  But if you look at Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther, you see people of God who have accepted what God is doing through their “lords” and who are able to live under their authority.

In today’s reading, note that Daniel sought permission, he “requested” rather than coming with a demand (v8).  He respected Ashpenaz’s responsibility.  And he recognized the difficult position Ashpenaz would be in before Nebuchadnezzar (v10).  Daniel, very wisely, offered Ashpenaz a way out (v11-13).  Likely Daniel was confident God would bless.  But he needed to approach Ashpenaz in a way that kept him in the supervisory role.  Daniel was the one who was exercising faith in his God, not Ashpenaz.

The result was that the four young Israelites looked better and “fatter in flesh” (I love that line!) than those who ate the king’s food.  Remember, this was God’s doing in giving them favor with Ashpenaz (1:9).  You will see this throughout the book of Daniel, that God was working in the government of Babylon, through the faithful men who resolved to walk in obedience.  Thus, they had favor with God (v17) as well as with the men around them (v18-21).  Perhaps this reminds you of Jesus: And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men (Lk. 1:52).

Before we leave this chapter, let us ask what does it mean to us?  What does it mean when we say, “My sufficiency is Christ?” 

·       Psalm 73:25-28: For Asaph (the Psalmist), it is no longer living in envy of the wicked.  His desires are not the lusts of this world; his desire, singular, is his God, the LORD.  Anything else is foolish and ignorant (73:22).

·       2 Cor. 9:7-11: For believers it is holding the things of this world lightly.  It is being generous in supporting the work of the Gospel.  Because we know when we give to the Lord, He is able to make all grace abound to us in return. 

·       Phil. 4:10-13: It is not being tied to a financial level or lifestyle.  It is knowing God will care for us in times of plenty as in times of little.  It is knowing whatever God desires of me, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

·       1 Tim. 6:6: It is knowing that godliness is what matters.  Godliness with contentment is great gain.  Daniel knew this.  This is not a NT doctrine.  It is the essence of living in honor of the God to whom we belong, the God who purchased us with the blood of His Son!  GOD IS MY PORTION!