People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 5

 

Daniel 5-6

Writing on the Wall – Daniel 5:1-12

Nebuchadnezzar is no longer the king of Babylon.  Now the king is Belshazzar, but there is no improvement in leadership.  He repeats the self-centeredness and pride of Nebuchadnezzar.  He extends the blasphemous use of the temple vessels.

Belshazzar gave a great banquet for thousands of his nobles.  They used the temple vessels to drink their wine.  Remember Nebuchadnezzar had previously sieged Jerusalem and plundered the temple vessels.  As they drank the wine, they praised their false gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone.  Suddenly a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the wall.  King Belshazzar watched and became so terrified that he turned pale and his legs gave way.  He called all his advisors to tell him what the writing meant.  If they could, he would reward them, but they could not.

The queen entered the room and told the king to not be afraid for there was a man who had a keen mind, knowledge and understanding.  He had the ability to interpret dreams and solve difficult problems.  It was Daniel. 

The king was too proud to have learned from the previous king.  He was self-sufficient and did not acknowledge God; he only sought advice from other people.  Sounds like what we sometimes do.

The queen was calm and offered a practical solution to the situation.  She demonstrated her wisdom and relied on the past example of God’s power during Nebuchadnezzar reign.

Belshazzar could have learned lessons of his predecessor.  Nebuchadnezzar and humbled himself and repented before God.  Instead he was prideful and arrogant which resulted in his death that very night.

Writing on the Wall Explained – Daniel 5:13-31

Daniel was brought to the king and was told if he could interpret the writing he would be rewarded.  Daniel said he would not accept any reward, but would interpret the writing.  He told Belshazzar that he should have learned from Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation at the hand of God.  Nebuchadnezzar’s heart became hard and due to his arrogance, he was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal.  Daniel told the king that the Most High God is the One who gave Nebuchadnezzar his sovereignty and greatness and that He is sovereign over the kingdoms of men.  “He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.” – Dan. 2:21.  “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.” – Rom. 13:1-2.

Daniel would not accept the gifts from the king, because he didn’t value the things of the world.  Money and power were not attractive to him as much as his relationship with God, but he agreed to interpret the writing because he knew it was a prophetic message from God.

He said this is what the inscription meant, “God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end…. Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians. ” – Daniel 5:26, 28.  That night Belshazzar was slain and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom.

There are similarities and differences between Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar.  They were both arrogant and full of pride and loved their power.  But Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by God and eventually recognized His sovereignty while Belshazzar remained unrepentant and never learned from Nebuchadnezzar’s experience.

Some believe that Nebuchadnezzar became a believer in God.  He believed in many gods, but submitted to the one true God.  He is known as Babylon’s greatest king.  Belshazzar was Babylon’s last  king.  He was prideful, self-centered, a tyrant and never humbled himself before God.  He learned nothing from Nebuchadnezzar’s example.  He blasphemed against God and his kingdom was given to others.

Principle:  Worldly kingdoms will come to an end, but the Kingdom of God will last forever.

The Trap – Daniel 6:1-18

Darius was now king.  He appointed administrators over his satraps, one of them was Daniel.  He was aware that Daniel had great knowledge, understanding and ability to interpret dreams as well as solving difficult problems.  He had solved the mystery of the writing on the wall.  So all the satraps were accountable to Daniel. 

The other officials were jealous of Daniel’s success and sought ways to condemn him.  They looked for ways to discredit him, but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful.  Daniel wasn’t sinless, but had great integrity.  They knew Daniel prayed three time a day to his God.  So they set a trap by telling the king that he should issue a decree that everyone should not pray to any god except the king for the next thirty days.

These officials reflect the heart of fallen humanity.  “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.….” Rom. 3:10-18

We should be impressed with Daniel and his response to the king’s decree.  Aware of the new law, Daniel remained faithful and kept praying to his God.  Darius was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort to save him, but the law is the law and he had to enforce it.  With great regret, the  king then gave the order for Daniel to be thrown into the lions’ den.  The king told Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”  He was sealed in the lion’s den with a stone.  This was probably done to protect Daniel as much as to make sure someone didn’t rescue him.

The Rescue – Daniel 6:19-28

There are similarities between Daniel’s experience and his friends’ experience.  Daniel’s friends remained faithful when they were put in the fiery furnace and Daniel remained faithful in the lions’ den.

Daniel had a better night’s rest than Darius.  Darius was so upset that he could not sleep.  I’m sure Daniel prayed for God to save him, because it was simply his habit to pray. 

Like Daniel, Jesus had to endure the plotting of the chief priests and elders of the people, but they could find no basis for a charge against him.  Both of their lives were marked by intense prayer.  They were innocent, put in a cave or pit, sealed with a stone, but both came out alive.  They both faced death because of human sinfulness and pride.  Of course Daniel lived and Jesus died, but was later raised to life.

Daniel’s rescue impacted Darius.  The next morning Darius hurried to the lions’ den and found Daniel alive.  He was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out.  No wounds were found on Daniel, because he had trusted in his God.  Daniel credited the rescue to God and praised Him for sending angels to shut the mouths of the lions.  The king had the men who had falsely accused Daniel thrown into the lions’ den along with their wives and children.  The lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

God was glorified when Darius told the people that all must honor the God of Daniel.  He didn’t proclaim that He is the only God, but he did command respect for Daniel’s God.

The key to Daniel’s ability to persevere through his trials was his faith, his strong prayer life, and God’s intervention and protection.

Principle:  When God’s people stand firm in their convictions, God honors and protects them; the ungodly see and tell of His greatness.

Next week we will continue our study of Daniel.   -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 4

 

Daniel 3-4

The Golden Statue – Daniel 3:1-18

Nebuchadnezzar ignores the warnings in his dream and erects an image of himself.  Maybe because of his pride or the desire for control over his empire.  This image was a huge 90-foot statue made of gold.  He gathered all the satraps, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrate and all other officials to come to the dedication.  He commanded that all bow and worship his image, which was a test of their allegiance.  Loyalty and submission were the main purpose of this golden idol.  Babylonians worshiped many gods so the idea of worshiping more than one was considered normal.  The king was proclaiming that he was supreme over all the others.

We all know that this was very wrong.  God is the only true God and only He should be worshiped.  Throughout the Bible we’re told to not worship idols, but to worship the One True God.

Then king Nebuchadnezzar commanded that when the people hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, they must fall down and worship the image.  If they didn’t, they would be thrown into a blazing furnace.

The astrologers told the king there were some Jews who were disloyal and refused to obey and paid no attention to the king ‘s orders or serve his gods or worship his image.  These were Daniel’s friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  This was probably done out of hatred of Jews and because Daniel had made them look incompetent when only he could interpret the king’s dream.

You may find in interesting that Daniel isn’t mentioned here.  Maybe he was on assignment somewhere else in the kingdom or he just didn’t get caught by the astrologers.

The king was furious and confronted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  They told the king they didn’t need to defend themselves because God would rescue them if they were put into the furnace, but if God did not save them, they still would never bow down to the king.

They stood before the king with calmness and with courage and boldness.  Their faith was strong and they didn’t doubt God’s ability.  They had faith in God and were ready to die for their convictions.  They had stood firm when challenged to eat impure foods and saw God bless their obedience.  This gave them courage to obey now.  They didn’t compromise and say ‘everybody else is doing it’ or ‘it’s only a status and God knows our hearts’ or ‘God will understand’.  They told the king that they didn’t need to answer to him.

Principle:  When the world challenges you, have faith and stand firm for your convictions; never doubt God’s ability.

The Fiery Furnace – Daniel 3:19-30

Because of his pride and arrogance, the king became enraged.  They had challenged his power and authority.  He was in charge and demanded all worship his statue.   When they wouldn’t bow down, the king ordered them into the furnace.  He made the furnace seven times hotter than usual and commanded the strongest soldiers to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 

The flames were so hot that even the soldiers that put Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fire were killed.  God didn’t take the fire away because He had another purpose.

Nebuchadnezzar watched as he saw a fourth man in the furnace.  They were walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed.  He called for the men to come out.  Only the three, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire; the fire had not burned their bodies. The king then gave praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and announced that no one should say anything against their God.                                                                                 

Who was the fourth man in the fire?  It was Jesus.  He was protecting them ensuring they were not harmed.  All were able to see God at work as He showed His absolute power and the ability to do the impossible. This was the reason that God allowed the furnace and the flames.  God doesn’t let us go through trials alone; He is always with us.  Jesus saved them then and He saves us now.

Principles:

God protects us in the midst of our trials.

God is always with us.

God rewards those who remain faithful.

No human power can hold us captive.

There are always eternal reasons for temporary trials.

Our destiny rests in God’s hands.

God can always be trusted.

God is glorified when we remain true to Him.

Nebuchadnezzar’ Dream of a Tree – Daniel 4:1-37

Nebuchadnezzar was a vain, violent, vicious man in the previous chapters.  It seems he has had a change in attitude.  He expressed a desire to explain what God has done for him by writing a letter to the world. 

Nebuchadnezzar explained that he experienced a difficult dream and summoned all his advisors’ help to interpret it, but no one could help.  Daniel explained what his dream meant.

He dreamed of a large tree giving shelter to beasts of the field and resting place for birds.  He heard a messenger telling him to cut down the tree and let the animals flee from under it, let the stump and its roots remain.  Daniel explained it was the rise and fall of Nebuchadnezzar.  He said the king and his empire was that tree.  The king will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals eating grass like cattle and be drenched with dew of heaven.  Seven times (years) will pass by the king until he acknowledged the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men.  Leaving the stomp and roots means that his kingdom will be restored when he acknowledged that Heaven rules. 

The tree is a symbol of his pride and ambition and the cutting down of the tree is a lesson for us.  It is a warning that we should guard against pride and arrogance and recognize God’s sovereignty in our life.

Daniel gave advice to the king in verse 27 which is good advice for us all.  He told him to turn away from his sins by doing what is right by being kind to the poor.  Then maybe his prosperity would continue.                            

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Fulfilled – Daniel 4:28-37

Nebuchadnezzar had twelve months to repent.  He probably forgot about the dream, but God didn’t.  He was given the opportunity to repent and humble himself, but did not.  Now, God humbled him.  He was filled with pride and was patting himself on the back realizing the great Babylon he had built and all the power he had.  Then a voice from heaven announced that his royal authority was being taken from him.  He would be driven away from people and would live with the wild animals and eat grass like cattle.  In other words he would become like a mad man.  This was exactly what he had dreamed.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” – James 4:6

Nebuchadnezzar took pride in his own power and honor, so God brought him low, causing him to dwell among the beasts of the field.  He learned that those who walk in pride, God is able to humble.

After seven years Nebuchadnezzar was restored and praised the Most High.  His sanity was restored, his honor and splendor were restored, his throne was restored and he became even greater than before.  Nebuchadnezzar learned that God was the true God and that He rules over everything.  He became a true witness to God’s great works.

We see attributes of God displayed through His dealings with Nebuchadnezzar’s life.  God has absolute sovereignty of all.  He is omniscience, just, merciful, and patient.

God revealed His glory in Daniel 3 by delivering Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace and causing Nebuchadnezzar to knowledge of God’s power throughout his kingdom.  God revealed His glory in Daniel 4 when He humbled Nebuchadnezzar for his pride fulfilling His prophecy.  By this humbling experience Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God’s power and sovereignty and was then restored to his throne.

Next week we will continue our study of Daniel.  Hope to see you here.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 3

 

For the next few weeks we will be studying the book of Daniel.  Who was Daniel?  Daniel was taken into exile as a young man together with 3 of his close companions.  He was famous for his prophetic visions, his ability to interpret dreams, and is unshakable faith.  He had a very important vision where he saw “one like the son of man”; this was Jesus.  He predicted when the Messiah would return, referred to as the ‘prophecy of weeks’.  He is a model for how Christians should live in the world.  He lived in one of the darkest periods in Israel’s history, but his writings are filled with hope.

Daniel 1-2

Daniel and Friends Taken to Babylon – Daniel 1:1-7

God allowed Judah to be taken into exile because all had transgressed and turned away from God’s law.  They refused to obey so God pored judgments on them.   They became more and more unfaithful and followed the detestable practices of other nations; they defiled the temple of the Lord.  The Lord sent messengers again and again, but they mocked them and despised God’s Words.  (2 Chron. 36:14-17, Dan. 9:11-14)

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.  He ordered his officials to bring       some of the Israelites from the royal family, young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. 

Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.  They were given new names – Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; Hananiah, the name Shadrach; Mishael, the name Meshach; Azariah, the name Abednego.  This was done probably to replace references to the God of Israel with that of Babylonian gods. 

By changing their names, the king wanted to take away their identity from them.  Daniel’s name meant ‘God is my judge’; Hananiah’s name meant ‘Yahweh has favored’; Mishael’s name meant ‘who is what God is?’; Azariah’s name meant ‘Yahweh has helped’.  Their names were changed, but their true identity in God was not changed.

Principle:  As the world tries to change your identity, trust in God to stay true to your identity in Christ.

Daniel Encountered Challenges – Daniel 1:8-21

Daniel objected to the prescribed diet while in the king’s service, because it was a violation of the dietary laws for the nation of Israel.  Certain foods would make them unclean.  Probably because it had been sacrificed to idols.  Also eating the king’s food implied fellowship with Babylon’s culture.

Daniel made a courageous decision.  He suggested a diet plan to the chief official.  He asked him to test them by letting them eat nothing but vegetables and drink water for 10 days.  Then compare their appearance with the others who ate the royal food.  God caused the official to agree so he tested them.  After ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than the others who ate the king’s food.

Principle:  We must not compromise when faced with worldly habits and pressures.

Believers can work within ungodly systems without falling into sin by understanding who our loyalty belongs.  We can seek God’s guidance through His Word and prayer asking Him for strength and discernment.  We can watch the words we use, show respect to others, and always speak the truth even it difficult situations.  We can respect others by treating them with love and kindness.  We can avoid participating in activities that are ungodly by refusing to take part in anything that is unethical.  We can ask ourselves ‘what would Jesus do?’.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream – Daniel 2:1-23

King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream and couldn’t sleep.  He summoned magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he dreamed, but they could not.  They realized that no man on earth who can do what the king had asked.

The king was so angry and furious that he wanted to have all the wise men put to death.  Daniel went to the king and asked for time so that he could interpret the dream. 

Daniel’s response teaches us several lessons.  He didn’t seek help from his friends; he sought help from the Lord. He asked his friends to plead for mercy from God concerning this mystery so he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men.  No matter how wise or smart we are, if we try to do things on our own, we will fail.  We must seek the Lord first because only He gives true success. 

Principle:  When facing difficult or seemingly impossible challenges, go to God in prayer.

Daniel Described and Interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream – Daniel 2:24-49

During the night the mystery of the king’s dream was revealed to Daniel in a vision.  God not only described the dream to Daniel, but interpreted it.  Daniel praised God for giving him the wisdom concerning the dream.  Then Daniel asked to see the king so he could describe and interpret the dream.  Daniel told the king, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” – Daniel 2:27  Notice he didn’t take credit for himself, but gave credit to God.

People today take credit for something God did.  They attribute their success to their own hard work and don’t acknowledge God’s role in it.

Daniel 2:31-45 – Daniel described the king’s dream as a large statue awesome in appearance.  We learn about earthly kingdoms represented by the materials of the statue:

The head of the statue was gold representing Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom.

The chest and arms were silver representing another kingdom that will rise inferior to the king.

The belly and thighs were bronze representing a third kingdom that will run over the whole earth.

The legs were iron representing a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, for iron breaks and smashes everything and as iron breaks things to pieces so it will crush and break all others.

The feet partly were iron and partly baked clay so this will be a divided kingdom; it will have some strength.  The toes were partly iron so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. The people will be a mixture and will not remain united.

The dream describes world history from Babylon time till the end of the world.  The different metals of the image represent earthly kingdoms.  Gold is Babylon, silver is Medo-Persia, bronze is Greece, iron is Roman, and iron-clay are the empires of Western Europe.  It starts with Nebuchadnezzar kingdom and ends with the kingdom of God.

We also learn about God’s kingdom.  The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.  It will crush all the others and bring them to an end. 

The ‘rock’ in Matt. 7:24-27; 16:16-19; 21:42-44; Rom 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:1-4; and 1 Peter 2:2-10 is Jesus.  It also symbolizes the Kingdom of God which will last forever and can never be destroyed. 

When Christ returns, the world will react the same way Nebuchadnezzar reacted.  He was in awe and recognized the divine power.  The world will recognize Him as Lord and Savior.  Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Phil. 2:20-11)

Principle:  Earthly kingdoms will come and go, but God’s kingdom will last forever.

Next week we will continue our study of Daniel.  Hope to see you here.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 2

 

God’s Purpose Revealed – Ezekiel 36:1-6-37:28-37

Ezekiel 36:16-23

God poured out His wrath on the Israelites because they defiled their own land by their conduct and their actions.  They defiled it with idols and profaned the Lord’s Name.

God exiled them from their land.  When they were among other nations, they profaned God’s Name and didn’t glorify Him.  The other nations questioned the power and reputation of God.  They saw this as God’s rejection of His people, which probably looked like Israel’s God was weak and that He didn’t keep His promises.  God risked His own reputation in the world for the sake of Israel.

God intervened on His people’s behalf  for the sake of His Holy Name so the nations would know that He is Lord.

Sin impacts the world today and it impacts God’s reputation. It affects us as individual and as a society.  Scriptures tell us over and over that sin leads to death and destruction because there are consequences when going against the grain regarding how God designed us to live and obey Him.  Sin is seen in the moral decay of society as corruption, greed, and injustice. Then when God deals with our sin, it makes God look like the bad guy.  We need to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20).  Others look to Christians as examples.  When we act right and do right because of Jesus, we are building the reputation of God.  When we don’t do right, we are damaging His reputation because we are supposed to be like Him.

God’s holiness and the greatness of His name should change the way we live.  We should be more loving, more patience, show more kindness, gentleness and self-control.  We need to be more like Jesus. 

Principle: God loves us and never gives up on His people. 

God’s Promises Give Hope – Ezekiel 36:24-38

God promised physical and spiritual blessings to His exiled people.  He said He would take them out of the nations and bring them into their own land.  He would make them clean from all impurities and idols.  He would give them a new heart and put a new spirit in them causing them to follow His decrees and to keep His vows.  He would be their God and they would be His people.  He would make them prosperous. (Ezekiel 36:24-30)

These promises relate to salvation in Christ.  When we accept Him as Savior we are a new person; the old self is dead and we have a new heart and a new spirit.  He forgives us for all sin and makes us pure.  This love and mercy cause us to follow His commands; we are now part of His people.

Ezekiel 36:31-32 – Grief over our sins is profitable.  When we are truly sorry over our sins, it brings repentance.  Then it brings happiness, comfort, change, healing and spiritual growth.  “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” – Matt. 5:4. 

Principle:  Repentance from sin brings salvation, comfort, change, and healing.

God’s Promise of Restoration – Ezekiel 37:1-14

Ezekiel had a vision.  By the Spirit of the Lord he was set in the middle of a valley full of dry bones.  The Lord asked him if these bones can live.  Ezkiel answered, “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” – Ezekiel 37:3  He knew the bones had no hope of living, but he was confident God did know.  He had faith in God.  This reveals that God is omniscience; He knows all things.  He knows the past, present, and the future.  He even knows our thoughts and intentions.

God told him to prophesy to theses bones.  “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” – Ezekiel 37:4.   God told the bones they would live.  Then the bones began to rattle and come together with tendons and flesh but there was no breath in them.  (Ezekiel 37:4-8)

Ezekiel prophesied a second time.  Then breath entered the bones and they came to life.  They stood up on their feet into a vast army.  (Ezekiel 37:9-10)

God interpreted the vision.  He said these bones are the whole house of Israel.  These bones were dry with no hope.  Their only hope for life and restoration was in God.  Our bones are dry and our hope is lost without Jesus. (Ezekiel 37:11-14)

Principle:  Our only hope is in Jesus Christ.

God’s Promise of Unity – Ezekiel 37:15-28

God commanded Ezekiel to perform a dramatic, prophetic visual.  He told him to take a stick of wood and write on it that it belonged to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.  Then He told him to take another stick and write on it that it was Ephraim’s stick belonging to Joseph and all the house of Israel associated with him.  Then he was to join the sticks together to become one stick.

God said his visual illustrated that God would bring Joseph’s stick and the Israelite tribes associated with him and join it to Judah’s stick making them a single stick.  God would take the Israelites out of the nations and bring them back to their own nation.  They would be a single nation under one king.  They would no longer defile themselves with idols and He would save them from all their sinful backsliding.  They would be cleansed.  They would be His people, and He would be their God. (Ezekiel 37:18-23)

Ezekiel 37:24-26 points to Christ.  Christ is the true David, Israel’s King of old.  Jesus is a descendant of David.  Jesus is the eternal King who reigns over God’s people forever.

Ezekiel 37:27-28 offers hope.  God said His dwelling place will be with them and He will be their God and they will be His people.  Then the nations will know that He, the Lord will make Israel holy.  His sanctuary will be among them forever.

God’s presence and work within His people provide a witness to the world by believers who follow His teachings and show acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  These actions attract others and draws them to Jesus.

Principle:  God promises to unify His people under one king, King Jesus.

Next week we will continue our study in the book of Daniel.  Hope to see you here.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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