6-30-10

DANIEL 3

Most of us, and especially children, know the story of the three men in the fiery furnace. Quite an easy read, and the lessons are pretty straightforward. So let’s dig a bit past the main story and find a couple “not-so-clear” answers to questions that might have come up. Then again, the main story is what God wanted to tell us, more character on display.

If the standard “cubit” is around 18 inches, then the statue built by King Nebuchadnezzar was 9 feet wide by 90 feet high. Serious structure! Basically, worship the idol when the music plays, and all will be well. Don’t, and get thrown into the fire.

Remember, the high-ranking officials of Babylon would have had to be a bit envious of these young men that came from Judah, and who were now serving Babylon in an official capacity. So when the three, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego fail to worship this false god, they are called on it by the officials, and brought before Nebuchadnezzar.

Metallurgy was practiced to a large degree in this time, though we tend to think of people 2500 years ago as primitive, uncivilized. On the contrary, they were able to build huge furnaces, kilns, etc. by digging into the sides of hills. The furnace here likely had an opening at the top and two sides, allowing great ventilation and introduction of oxygen to be able to super-heat metal.

We know the story, the king gives the men a second chance, they say forget it, we’ll never worship this or any of your gods, and into the fire they will go.

Nebuchadnezzar’s question in verse 15 is a great one: “What god can save you?” Now, he already has seen God work through Daniel with the dream, but this is such a potentially horrifying situation to endure, how can any power stop them from dying? And a great question deserves a great, divine answer. To summarize these three, “Our God can save us, and even if He does not, he is still God.” Yeah, that made the king pretty mad.

So they tie the men up, leaving their clothes on them (imagine the sight of clothes and then people catching fire this was the desired outcome). They were to be an example.

They super-heat the furnace, presumably by using big bellows to fuel the fire with more air, take the men to throw them in, the men taking them there die from the heat, and the three men are in the fire. Nebuchadnezzar looks in and instead of seeing three men, he sees four, and no one is burning. So out they come.

His comment in verse 25, where he states that the fourth man looks like “a son of the gods” is his way of stating that this is no ordinary man, but rather a divine being. And he proclaims from that day forth that no one is to speak ill of the God of these Hebrews. Granted, he does not credit God with being THE only God, yet he clearly recognizes Him and the faith of these men.

Questions:
So who is the fourth person in the fire? Could be an angel, could be an appearance of Christ. Since Nebuchadnezzar had no understanding of the Trinity, he could not have meant Christ, yet is certainly seems as though it was, even if unrecognized by the king.

So where was Daniel in all this? Likely on official business for Babylon nearby. The statue was set up locally, although very big, not necessarily for everyone in the whole kingdom to see and bow down to. His absence from the story does not mean that he bowed, nor does it discredit the account; that is, this is not some scriptural inconsistency.

SO WHAT…?

So, what God can save me from certain death? Well, God - capital “G” - has already done that spiritually through His Son. There is no other god that could do that.

So, can God intervene on a regular basis, saving me from a physical happening? Yes, He can, if he chooses to do so. If He does not, then He is still God.

So, I, too need courage to stand up to daily gods, daily temptations that would be easier to just go along with, as opposed to doing what God desires. Ultimately, he offers strength to endure whatever choosing Him will bring to my life.

6-29-10

DANIEL 2

We could all use a friend like Daniel. He is an example, trustworthy, faithful, confident and steadfast.

Chapter 2 presents the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s forgotten dream. He has this dream, is frightens him, but he can’t remember what it was. So he calls his wise men, counselors, magicians, etc. to help. The command is for them to not only interpret the dream, but first they have to tell him what he actually dreamed. Since they possess no real supernatural powers, they cannot manage this task, and the command goes out to have them destroyed.

Among those counted as “wise men” (and yes, it’s very plausible that the wise men in Jesus’ birth account could have been influenced by this very time period, and from this region), are Daniel and his friends. As we read previously, Daniel confronts the guard in charge of the executions, his name is Arioch. Apparently Arioch does not particularly want to kill all these men, and he allows Daniel to approach the king to see what can be done. Given a brief reprieve Daniel retreats with his friends to come up with a solution.

Together, they pray to God for an answer.

And together, they praise God. Verses 19-23 ought to be our prayer daily. Look at the credit Daniel gives for regular interaction by God.

Daniel tells Arioch he knows the dream, and immediately Arioch rushes him to the king’s presence. Daniel proceeds to tell the dream and its interpretation. But first, he tells the king that this is not of him (Daniel), but rather that God in heaven is the one to reveal this mystery. All credit and glory goes to God.

I am not attempting to match the segments of the dream with historical and end times prophecy in detail. Suffice it to say, the dream shows Nebuchadnezzar that he/Babylon is the head of the statue, followed by kingdoms to come: Medo-Persian, Greece, Rome, and then a Divine Kingdom, occurring during the period we know to be the Millennium, when Christ returns. Christ will once and for all rule and reign forever following that last kingdom.

Daniel is rewarded with a big promotion, and he remembers his friends, who also receive greater positions of authority. This will irritate the native Babylonian officials, as we’ll find out later.

SO WHAT…?

So, as much as this is an end-times prophecy book, I look at Daniel’s consistent life centered on God. Faced with death, he petitions for time, so he can give God a chance to intervene. More importantly, he gives people around him the opportunity to see God through his actions. Remember, the people of Judah, his "family" are watching, too. They need to be reminded of Who is still in control.

So, I need to be just as faithful in prayer, both for requests and in praise for God’s daily and regular interaction with us. How do I face tough decisions? Do I seek to pray first?

So, God has given me (and you) gifts, and the recognition of those gifts must be reflected directly back to Him.

And, oh yeah, we still have the last two kingdoms of this dream to be fulfilled. Christ is coming back for His people. I am one of them, are you?

6-28-10

DANIEL 1

What strikes me as most interesting in chapter 1 of Daniel are the characters in play and the behaviors displayed by them.

It is around 586 B.C., King Nebuchadnezzar has completed the siege and defeat of Judah and Jerusalem, and he takes the gold articles from the temple. It is worth noting that back in Isaiah, King Hezekiah of Judah, when he was ill and was divinely healed, received a visit from one of the chief officials of Babylon, and Hezekiah boldly and foolishly showed him the treasure room, putting Judah in the crosshairs of Babylon from that time until the completion of the takeover.

The majority of the Judah residents are now exiled to Babylon, Judah will be there for 70 years, and the Babylonian assimilation is underway. Babylon's goal was to take imprisoned young men and train them up to be Babylonian and thereby strengthen the kingdom. So the order went out to find the teens that looked strongest, seemed healthiest and most attractive. Daniel and his friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,) fell into that category, and they were to be trained/educated for three years. Daniel's and their names were changed to Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

The first requirement, then, was to be on a robust diet, but the food offered went against the Jewish Law, and Daniel and his friends resolved to not defy themselves and God in the process of eating the King's food. This was not horrible food, but rather food any exiled prisoner would look at and long for; it was food fit for a king.

Ashpenaz is the guy ordered by Nebuchadnezzar to pick these young men and train them. His commander, unnamed, is told by Daniel that they would rather eat food according to their Law's diet. No doubt that Ashpenaz had to go along with this, and it would have literally meant his head if this did not work well for the health of these boys. Read the story, it went well, God worked through this Babylonian official, showing him and the boys that He was in control.

Look at these 4 boys, teens by most scholars' accounts, exiled away from home, separated from parents, and they make a great choice for God, even if there were to be consequences. Their relationship to God and how they presented that to others around them far out-weighed any command from an earthly king, even if that king was in apparent control of their very lives. I wonder about the rest of the exiles and why they may have chosen to follow Nebuchadnezzar and eat the king's food. We are not told.

Daniel and these three end up with positions of authority in the Babylonian kingdom, allowing God to use them to care for His people.

SO WHAT...?

So, I'm not a young boy anymore. It can still be very difficult for me to make the best choices every day. Yet God still wants me to in spite of potential consequences.

So, am I raising my kids to respect God to that level? Granted, the choices will be theirs to make, but is the foundation I am giving them the best for God, so that they can lean on Him for decisions to tough situations?

So, I need to be faithful, and God can even use those outside of Christ, such as Ashpenaz, to get His work done through me.

Blog thoughts

Going to start a new book today. First, let me back up a little; the purpose of this blog is mainly to encourage daily Scripture reading. I personally love to delve into theology, and there is a time and place for that, and for now I don't believe it to be on this forum. Rather, I enjoy sharing what I have learned in the past few years of study, as well as thoughts God places on my heart as I read His Word daily. God truly desires us to get the "big picture", as all Scripture is inspired by God, so He tells us.

So today I am starting Daniel, some great life lessons here, even though its setting is some 2500-2600 years ago. There is also some powerful and yet-to-be-fulfilled prophecy in this book. There will likely be some questions that cannot be answered dogmatically. Keep in mind as you read Daniel, its major theme is that of God being in control, and just how much He desires a close relationship with His people. He loved Judah so much He was willing to judge them for their idolatry, and send them to Babylon for 70 years. He loved us so much, He sent His Son to suffer and die in our place to pay the penalty for our sin. Keep all this in mind throughout Daniel.

6-25-10

PHILIPPIANS 4

There is always something special about any bible reading, and even more so for me to read the last chapters of any of Paul’s letters. He packs so much basic and clear reminders and last thoughts into these chapters, and really brings forth his genuine care for people as he does so.

He urges unity between two women here. There apparently was a problem of enough significance to address, yet Paul seems to have faith in the church and these ladies to manage the situation and correct any problems. After all, as Paul indicates, they have been instrumental in the faith, just like Paul.

Do we need to constantly be reminded to pray? Apparently so, OK, I will say, definitely YES! And Paul does so, “let your requests be known to God”, he says.

Verse 7 is used by lots of churches in general as a closing, and sadly it has become rote memorization, a throw-away statement to close a service or sermon. But put your arms around the phrase “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension”. We can never begin to grasp that peace of God, yet God Himself tells us we can experience it; that peace is so big, we cannot possibly comprehend, so we must just accept that.

In life, we can dwell (or focus) on many things. Yet, here is a great list of descriptions that should accompany that dwelling:
True, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, worthy of praise.
Find that which satisfies these characteristics, and dwell on them.

As I mentioned, I love the deeply personal side of Paul, and he is genuinely happy that people are concerned for him. He reminds them that he is content, he has known great prosperity and poverty alike. He has known abundance and suffering. Then we get to verse 13. “I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me.” This verse is used and quoted so often, and usually in the context of being able to accomplish great things for Christ. While I agree that we can do so, this verse, here in its proper context, really shows that no matter what life throws at us, we can handle it, if we rely on the strength of Christ. Filter life’s ups and downs through Christ, and you can handle them. This is the “do all things” of this verse.

Paul closes this book with the reminder that the glory is all God’s . He refers to all these believers as saints, as we are each saints who are saved by faith in Christ. And when you finish the chapter, read the last verse over a few times. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” It’s not just a closing, grace given from Savior, mentioning His full and proper name, can certainly guide each and every one of us. This is what Paul prays here.

I pray that this book of Philippians has been a source of encouragement for you, as it has been for me. Rejoice! Christ is near! Again, I say, as Paul did, Rejoice!

6-24-10

PHILIPPIANS 3

Rejoice! OK, Paul, we get it, I think. Another great reminder of a theme of this book, always rejoicing in Christ.

Paul rehearses his lineage, as he is confronted by other Jews as to why they are so important because they are Jews. Read how he describes himself, and then after all those accolades, he boldly states that all of it meant nothing without Christ. He threw away the old life that was so dependent on this world for glamour and importance, and embraced what he calls the true value of Christ.

Paul knew better than anyone what it meant to lose all he had. He walked away from a prestigious status in the Jewish community. He left all that would to most people seem very special. Read 2 Corinthians 11 sometime, and see what all he went through physically.

How did he consider himself as related to Christ? Well, he knows Him through the power of the resurrection. He knows Him through the fellowship of suffering? He knows Him by being conformed to His death. And to what end? So the he could attain (achieve, accomplish) the resurrection of the dead. It was all worth it, knowing that through Christ’s resurrection, he, too, would enjoy and eternal physical resurrection and spiritual life with Christ. He presses on for his upward call. Upward, great place to focus.

OK, he throws in a “therefore” in verse 15, and to quote Dr. Jeremiah, when you see a “therefore” ask yourself, “what’s it there for?” All the previous was said to remind the reader of key principles that should result from knowing Christ: 1) Keep living the Godly standard, as though you are of Christ. 2) Remember we are perfect (OK, not yet, but in the future tense God will make us so), and 3) join in Paul’s example.

Naturally, some will choose not to follow the path of Christ. Paul openly weeps for these people who are thus enemies of the cross of Christ. Go through verses 19 for the description of these people.

Contrast that then with verse 20, we are indeed citizens of Heaven! And our lives should reflect that.

SO WHAT?

So, would I ever dare to tell someone to live by my example? I should be able to, just as Paul did. And do I weep for those I know who are enemies of the cross?

So, do I place Christ as valuable above all else? Really, do I, and if there are things that are seen to be more valuable, will I leave them behind as I should?

So, my upward call. We keep a sign on our fireplace, “Look up, not around.” Up, or toward God, is where my primary focus needs to be. God is worthy of that focus.

6-23-10

PHILIPPIANS 2

Be like Christ. There, that is primarily chapter 2. Any questions?

Christ did nothing from a selfish perspective. He certainly was not looking out for His own personal, human interests. He certainly regarded others as more important than Himself, speaking in human terms. Note that the text does not say that He had no personal interests, nor does it imply that we should have no personal interests. So how do we look out for the interests of others? Paul answers that. Have the attitude of Christ.

Check the motives. Why do the bible study, why do the outreach activity, why tell others about Christ, why raise obedient children, why praise God publically? For our own self-aggrandizing? No matter what it is we do, Paul tells us to do those actions as though we are thinking of others.

Christ was even willing to temporarily let go of His place in heaven, to come to earth to show us how to get it done. Side note: the NASB in verse 6 says “…did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped”; this word “grasped” does not mean “understood”, but rather, “held onto”. So Christ purposefully let go of His grasp, His holding onto of His glorious place in heaven in order to save us. He became a willful slave to us, to the point of being obedient to His death on the cross.

Make no mistake, some day, all will know that Jesus is God. At His name, every knee will bow, on earth, in heaven, under the earth, everyone! And God’s glory will be clear to all.

As Jesus showed His perfectness by His works and actions, so too are we to demonstrate our salvation as it should produce works from us that point to Christ. But to what end? Well, we come back to testimony. We are to be blameless and innocent while we are in the middle of a “crooked and perverse generation”. These words literally mean “turning away from the correct path”, and it describes our society very accurately. So Christians should stand out in their behavior, not blend in.

Verse 16, holding fast to the Word. Hang on to the truth as though it is that last branch on the side of the cliff, where letting go means certain death. What a great picture!

And rejoice, again, rejoice. If Paul can say it near his imminent death, so can we. And I won’t go into detail here, but read the commendations of Timothy and Epaphroditus. We, too, should honor such as these among us, may we have the privilege to serve alongside such champions of the faith.

SO WHAT…?

So, I will check my motives, I pray you will, too.

So, I will let my actions speak way before my mouth does, and I pray you will, too. People notice what I do, not what I say. Take that to the bank.

So, dear God, I promise I will hold fast to your Word. It’s all the truth I have, and all the truth I need. Thank you for your Word, and for THE Word, Jesus Christ.

6-22-10

PHILIPPIANS 1:21-30

“For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” One of the most popular verses of Paul, often quoted, and what did Paul really mean when he wrote this? When we read on, we see that Paul really struggles with wanting to die and be with Christ, and also knowing that he wants to be with and among the saints, as he feels he has so much work left to do. He knows Christ is returning, and yet he is beginning to realize that it may not be during his lifetime. He settles the matter by realizing that it is better for the others for him to remain alive on earth, and do as much as he can here and now.

If he stays here, he must produce fruitful labor for the Lord.
If he goes there (heaven) he gets to be with Christ.

Paul clearly wants to be able to see the people of Philippi again, and even if he cannot make it there (some feel that Paul was nearing execution when this was written), he pleas with them to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. Pretty broad statement, if you ask me, and Paul never asked anything of anyone that he would not himself do. Essentially, he wants and expects them to stand firm in one spirit, united by Christ, striving for faith.

We see that opponents are destroyed by the gospel if they do not accept it; this is obviously the very same gospel which saves us, with God very much in control of both aspects.

With true belief in Christ can also come suffering for Him. Paul shared with the other believers the conflict that resulted because of his testimony. He uses his current situation as an encouragement to the church.

SO WHAT…?

So, a bit more on this “To live is Christ…” statement. One word jumps out at me – “IS”.

So for the Christian to live IS Christ. Our lives are to be about Christ, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else, to partially quote a brother. If I am alive, and claim to be a Christian, then what else should my life be about?

So for the Christian, to die IS gain. Again, “is” is used in present tense, meaning, once I die, I gain, I HAVE that inheritance reserved for me. Either way, Christ IS the focus.

So I must conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel, regardless of what others might be doing. This dark world really needs to see that the gospel is worth believing.