Notes and Questions for March 8, 2009
Last week we saw how God can see the future and uses those in the bible to show us His sovereignty. He used even the non-believer Neb to reveal the future through his dream and Daniel to tell it.
This week we study how Neb forgot the greatness of Daniel’s God and obviously did not have a true conversion of faith to God. Don’t forget that last week Neb was prostrate in awe of God. Also remember that Daniel plainly told Neb that his interpretation did not come from him but from God.
This week, as we read through the bible in the new building, I am sure to be reminded of how clearly God speaks to us and yet we fall away on small and big things every day. We refocus ourselves on idols in our lives rather than persisting in our faith and refuge and the truth of His word. Because we all do this it is important to look to this week’s study as one where we need to be like Daniel and join arm in arm together in our fight against sin and separation from God through our spiritual disciplines. I am not talking about losing salvation if you are saved so please do not be confused. I am talking about losing out in the joy of our relationship with the one God we will be with for eternity. Remember John 10:10 as you think about what we must give up each day and week in our focus to fully and completely focus on Him.
Please read the section – Daniel 3:1-7
1. What are the main points of this passage and why?
2. So what is wrong with having a big image of gold erected and dedicated?
Despite Yahweh’s warning through the dream and interpretation that he would judge and destroy the idol-worshipping empires, Neb forgot his new religious insights and proceeded to force on all of his subjects – even the Yahweh-worshipping Jews – the worship of the patron god of the Chaldean government. This not only indicates the superficial nature of his earlier confession of Yahweh as “God of gods and Lord of kings” (2:47), but it also suggests an egotism tending toward megalomania. Yet we cannot be certain why he took this extraordinary step. He may have felt, like many pagans, that multiple loyalties were permissible in worshipping the gods. He may have seen nor more conflict between worshipping several different deities that between serving a local government and the central government. In any event, he laid down no requirement for his subjects to renounce or to cease private worship of their own personal gods; he simply demanded complete loyalty to the state, as represented by this public ceremony of prostration before his patron god (presumably Nabu). Failure to do this would not only amount to impiety and irreligion, it would also be treason.
Read verses 1 -3
3. What is being made?
4. What is happening in verse 2?
5. Who is coming to have the image dedicated?
6. Are these your favorite verses in the bible? Why or why not? J
Neb had the statue made of gold (i.e. covered with gold leaf). Actually, there was not enough gold in all of Babylonia to make a statue so large of solid gold. The erecting of the golden image undoubtedly reflected the symbolism of the dream-image in which the head of gold represented Babylonia. Perhaps Neb was motivated by a desire to fulfill the type. As to whom the status represented, it seems doubtful that it was the king himself (as some have suggested). We have no evidence that the statues of a Mesopotamian ruler were ever worshipped as divine during the ruler’s lifetime. Such practices may have been followed in the Egypt of Ramses II (though we have no decisive proof of this), but hardly in the Sumerian, Babylonian, or Assyrian empires. It is far more likely that the status represented Neb’s patron god, Nebo (or Nabu). Prostration before Nebo would amount to a pledge of allegiance to his viceroy, Nabu-kudurri-usur, i.e. Neb.
From the king’s standpoint, no reasonable man could refuse to give this token of loyalty to his sovereign and his government. The fairly recent date of the establishment of the Babylonian Empire as the successor to Assyria (at least in its southern half) made it appropriate for Neb to assemble all the local and provisional leaders from every part of his domain and, in essence, exact from them a solemn oath of loyalty, certified with a religious sanction by this ceremony of adoration of Babylon’s god. But if any officials refused to comply, they were to be immediately executed in the superheated furnace erected nearby.
The titles of the various ranks of government officials give and impression of a well-organized bureaucracy. 1) “the satraps” (from Old Persian - realm protectors) – who apparently were in charge of a fairly large realms; 2) “prefects” (from Akkadian – one who is appointed) – possibly military commanders but more likely lieut governors; 3) “goverors” from Akkadian – lord of administrative district) – indicating leaders of smaller territories like the province of Judea; 4) “advisers” (derived from Persian – counsel giver); 5) “treasurers” – treasure bearer; 6) “judges” (from old Persian – law bearer); 7) “magistrates” (from old Persian – over chief); and 8) “provincial officials” – to have dominion over, a general term for a governmental exectutive.
Five of these titles are apparently of Iranian origin, even though the scene for this episode is early in the reign of Neb (the median tongue might conceivably have contributed some loan words even back around 600 B.C.). We must conclude, therefore, that Daniel 3, in its final form at least, must have been composed after the rise of the Persian Empire (in 539); and the terms used must have replaced those that were actually employed in the Aramaic around the turn of the century. This agrees perfectly with the supposition that Daniel finished this book for publication around 532 B.C., when the new Persian title would have been current in the metropolis of Babylon.
At the same time it should be pointed out that by the second century B.C. (the Maccabean period), some of these Persian loan words had become obsolete and could not longer by correctly translated, at least by the Alexandrian Jews. This can only mean that the chapter 3 of Daniel must have been composed long enough before the second century for these words to have been forgotten – which might well have happened after a composition date in the 530s.
Read verse 4-7
7. what is significant about verse 4?
8. who is being commanded at this point?
9. In verse 5 what is the timing and what are they to do?
10. In verse 6 what is it that will happen if you don’t do what is commanded?
11. Who fell down and worshipped?
12. What do people fall down and worship besides the Lord these days?
13. What is a universal command for our society? Is there a universal response if you don’t follow that command. Take your time here and think about commands society has made…
14. What do you worship in your family? How would someone else know?
15. What would you do in this situation – be honest
16. If you would have fallen down what would be going through your mind? What would have been the witness if you didn’t?
In order to furnish a proper musical setting for the ceremony of worshipping the image, Neb enlisted the services of royal musicians, who played all the instruments then in use. The six instruments listed in verse 5 did not exhaust the list of different instruments, for “all kinds of music” implied that there may have been a good many others besides. It was this orchestra that was to give the signal for all the assembled throng to bow down and worship the golden statue, as a solemn declaration of their commitment to the Babylonian government and their willingness to incur diving wrath if they should ever break their oath of fealty. Nearby the furnace was roaring (verse 6) – a grim reminder of the dreadful alternative to compliance. The official leadership of every nation and district under Neb’s rule had to join in this act of worship on pain of death. Needless to say, there was a universal compliance when the music struck up (verse 7), and all the foreheads in the great multitude touched the ground at the same moment – except for three men.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Notes and Questions for February 22, 2009
Notes and Questions for February 22, 2009
Last week we saw how God used even the non-believer Neb to reveal His sovereignty. He also used Daniel and the situation He created to show Himself.
This week begins the interpretation of the dream. Step back for a minute and understand what happened before the interpretation. Don’t forget that Daniel specifically told Neb what the dream was. The dream’s interpretation is almost moot unless you can really sit back and take in the enormity of this. The interpretation then is something to pay close attention to. If the God of the universe is telling us something we must listen closely.
This week we will review what Daniel told Neb the dream means and how Neb reacted in verses 36 through 49 of Chapter 2. In the notes we will talk about the scholarly review of these items and what they relate to. I, as I have hopefully been very open about before, am NOT a bible scholar. In that, I will do my absolute best to study through this and understand what it means to us and will differ to much more learned scholars in our Church if necessary.
Let’s not be afraid to disagree or have debate and know that even the Pharisee’s who studied much of this were pretty much blind. Humbleness should, therefore, overtake us.
Please read the section – Daniel 2:36-49
1. What are the main points of this passage and why? Take your time here. Digest what is being said and think of what you would do after just being told your dream that no one else knew.
This section presents the foreordained succession of world powers that are to dominate the Near East till the final victory of the Messiah in the last days. There is so much material around the theories and how each has flaws or inconsistencies that if you would like, I will send you some links to review as well as have printed materials for borrowing. Bottom line, I have tried to ask questions of relevance and application and given you some basic history and interpretation ON the interpretation.
Read verses 36-38
2. Who is going to interpret the dream in verse 36?
3. What is the different between what Daniel says in verse 37 and what the soothsayers said to him when Neb first asked them to tell him the dream?
4. What is the main theme of verse 38?
5. What has God placed in your hands? List all things you can think of… spouse, children, job, apartment, what?
6. Do you see yourself responsible for what God has given you? Do you see that He has given it to you? Why or why not?
Verses 37-38 identify the golden head of the dream-image with Neb and the Babylonian Empire. The head comes first in the explanation (rather than the feet) probably because “head” (resah) is often used to mean “beginning” (at least in the form of Heb. Congnate ros); from this root the regular word for “beginning” (resit) is derived. For a despot like Neb, his government was the ideal type and was therefore esteemed as highly as gold. He exercised unrestricted authority over life and death throughout all Babylon. His word was law; no prior written law could challenge his will (v 38). Yet Daniel was careful to remind him that even this autocracy of his was under the almighty God. For only by his sufferance could Neb continue to draw breath; only by God’s decree could he exercise political power.
The first of four world-empires, then, was the Ne-Babylonian Empire of the Chaldeans that Neb, whose reign began in 605 B.C., was to rule over for about forty more years – till 562 or 560 B.C. But his empire did not last more than twenty-one years after his death. His son Evil-Merodach (Amel-Marduk in Akkadian) reigned two years only (560-558). Nerglissar (Nergal-shar-usur) reigned for years (560-556) and Labashi-Marduk only one (556). Nabondius engineered a coup d’etat in 555 and ruled until Babylon fell to the Persians in 539.
Read verse 39
7. What will happen after Neb is gone?
8. What will happen after you are gone? What ‘kingdom’ will rise after yours?
Daniel turned next to the other empires. About the second one (represented by silver) he said little except that it was “inferior” (ara minnak, literally, “beneath you”) to Babylon. From Neb’s standpoint the restriction on the monarch’s authority to annul a law once he had made it (6:12) was less desirable than his own unfettered power. The silver empire was to be Medo-Persia, which began with Cyrus the Great, who conquered Egypt but died in 523 or 522. After a brief reign by an upstart claiming to be Cyrus’s younger son, Darius son of Hystaspes deposed and assassinated him and established a new dynasty. Darius brought the Persian Empire to its zenith of power but left unsettled the question of the Greeks in his western borer, even though he did not conquer Thrace. Xerxes (485-464) his son, in his abortive invasion of 480-479, failed to conquer the Greeks. Nor did his successor Artaxerxes I (464-424) do this but rather contented himself with intrigue by setting the Greek city-states against one another. Later Persian emperors – Darius II, Artaxerxes II; Artaxerxes III, Arses, and Darius II declined still further in power. This silver empire was supreme in the Near and Middle East for about two centuries.
As for the third empire (represent by bronze), it was even less desireable from Neb’s standpoint; though Greece was to “rule over the whole earth,” its political tradition was more republican than its predecessor. The bronze empire was the Greco_Mecedonian Empire established by Alexander the Great, who began his invasion of Persia in 334, crushed its last resistance in 331, and established a realm extending from the border of Yugoslavia to beyond the Indus Valley in India – the largest empire of ancient times. After his death in 323, Alexander’s territory soon split up into four smaller realms, ruled over by his former generals (Antipater in Mecedon-Greed, Lysimachus in Thrace-Asia Minor, Seleucus in Asia, and and Ptolemy in Egypt, Cyrenaica, and Palenstine). This situation crystallized after the Battle of Ipsus in 301, when the final attempt to maintain a unified empire was crushed through the defeat of the imperial regent Antigonus. The eastern sections of the Seleucid realm revolted from the central authority at Antioch and were gradually absorbed by the Parthians as far westward ad Mesopotamia. But the remainder of the former Greek Empire was annexed by Rome after Antiochos the Great was defeated at Magneisa in 190 B.C. Macedon was annexed by Rome in 168, Greece as permanently subdued in 146, the Seleucid domains west of the Tigris were annexed by Pompey the Great in 63 B.C. Thus the bronze kingdom lasted for about 260 years before it was supplanted by the fourth kingdom prefigured in Neb’s dream-image.
Read verses 40-43
9. What is the main point of these verses?
10. What is the main point of verse 43? Why would it be important to us now and in this time in history?
Verse 40 describes this fourth empire, symbolized by the legs of iron. From a despotic standpoint, the Roman Republic was of far less value than gold, silver, or bronze; yet iron was the most suited to crush the opposing powers. Iron connotes toughness and ruthlessness and describes the Roman Empire that reached its widest extent under the reign of Trajan (98-117 A.D.), who occupied Rumania and much of Assyria for at least a few brief years.
Verse 41 deals with a later phrase or outgrowth of this fourth empire, symbolized by the feet and ten toes – made up of iron and earthenware, a fragile base for the huge monument. The text clearly implies that this final phase will be marke by some sort of federation rather than a powerful single realm. The iron may possibly represent the influence of the old Roman culture and tradition, and the potter may represent the inherent weakness in a socialist society based on relativism in morality and philosophy. Out of this mixture of iron and clay come weakness and confusion, pointing to the approaching day of doom. Within the scope of verse 43 are disunity, class struggle, and even civil war, resulting from the failure of the hopelessly divided society to achieve an integrated world-order. The iron and pottery may coexist, but they cannot combine into a strong and durable world-order.
An alternative view of the identity of the fourth empire has been proposed by Otto Zoeckler in his commentary on Daniel. Identifying the third empire as that of Alexander the Great, he took the fourth empire of Neb’s dream image to be that of the Seleudics – on of the four divisions Alexander’s empire was partitioned into (that of Seleucus I, c 311 B.C.). This would mean that the third kingdom (that of Alexander) lasted only 11 or 12 years, with an additional 12 years during which Perdiccas and Antigonus tried vainly to maintain the unity of the empire. Thus, it was from this fourth empire that the little horn , Atniochus IV, emerged. But such an identification of the fourth empire can hardly be reconciled with the description of the fourth kingdom as greater and stronger than the third. Could one segment of Alexander’s empire by considered more extensive than his entire realm? Or could it’s power be considered more formidable than that of Alexander himself – Alexander who never lost a battle? This is not a serious theory.
Read Verses 44-45 but just the first part of 45.
11. What is the mountain?
12. What does it mean the rock is carved out of the mountain?
13. Who is the rock?
14. What is destroyed?
15. What mountain is formed? Are the mountains connected?
These verses present the final scene. The rock cut form a mountain, the rock that becomes the fifth kingdom, rolls down from a mountain and smashes against the brittle feet of the great image and topples it over. It then reduces the entire monument – including the four metals – to dust, which the wind sweeps away, after which the rock becomes a mountain (kingdom) that fills the earth. In contract to the limited number of centuries the four man-made empires lasted, this fifth God-established kingdom is destined to endure forever – a realm never to be destroyed. Not only Daniel 7, but parallel passages leave us in no doubt that this fifth realm is the kingdom of God, ruled over by Christ and enduring eternally, even after its earthly, millennial phase, is over.
Read Verses 45 to 47
16. What thoughts do you have about God each day?
17. How REALLY do you respond to God each day?
18. What are God’s plans for you in the future? What if He did know your future? Would you live any differently?
Daniel closed his interpretation of the dream by assuring Neb that it was divinely inspired and absolutely trustworthy. Thus the God of heaven had graciously granted the king the knowledge of the future he had asked for. The baffling mystery had at last been unraveled by the spokesman of the one true God. The king could only acknowledge Yahweh as “God of gods”, the absolute sovereign over all the powers of heaven (even including the king’s own patron gods, Marduk and Nabu), and “Lord of kings” on earth, the true Lord of history. Moreover, the king acknowledged Yahweh’s supremacy in wisdom as being alone able to reveal the mysteries of the future, something no pagan god could do.
In token of his submission to Daniel’s God, Neb then bowed before Daniel and offered incense to him as if he were Deity. What a remarkable scene! The despot who but an hour before had ordered the execution of all his wise men was prostrating himself before the foreign captive from a third-rate subject nation! Even though he opposed the wisdom of the Chaldeans, this absurd monotheist (Daniel) had somehow found the right answer. Surely, therefore, his God was worthy of honor above all the other deities, who had completely failed to reveal the dream. The king’s praise to the Lord does not mean that he doubted the existence of other gods, much less that he had experienced any sort of conversion.
Read verses 48-49
1. What is your response when God reveals Himself to you? Name a specific situation in which God has revealed himself to you…
Since Daniel had so decisively proved himself a true prophet with access to the great God he worshipped, it was only logical for Neb to put him in charge of all the diviners at the court of Babylon. Hence he officially became “ruler” (literally “chief of appointed officials) over the whole bureau of wise men. It was also understandable that the king fulfilled his original promise in chapter 2 verse 6 and loaded him with gifts and royal honors. But that he went on to appoint Daniel civil governor of the entire capital province of Babylon – a post of highest importance in the political structure – was indeed noteworthy. Normally this position would be reserved for a Chaldean nobleman, a member, like Neb, of the master race. For a Jew from the Captivity to be so honored was unprecendented and shows how deeply his intelligence and integrity had impressed the king.
Daniel’s loyalty to his three friend was shown by his request that they too might be given high appointments. Of course, it strengthened Daniel’s hand to have his three trusted friends help him in his administrative duties.
Last week we saw how God used even the non-believer Neb to reveal His sovereignty. He also used Daniel and the situation He created to show Himself.
This week begins the interpretation of the dream. Step back for a minute and understand what happened before the interpretation. Don’t forget that Daniel specifically told Neb what the dream was. The dream’s interpretation is almost moot unless you can really sit back and take in the enormity of this. The interpretation then is something to pay close attention to. If the God of the universe is telling us something we must listen closely.
This week we will review what Daniel told Neb the dream means and how Neb reacted in verses 36 through 49 of Chapter 2. In the notes we will talk about the scholarly review of these items and what they relate to. I, as I have hopefully been very open about before, am NOT a bible scholar. In that, I will do my absolute best to study through this and understand what it means to us and will differ to much more learned scholars in our Church if necessary.
Let’s not be afraid to disagree or have debate and know that even the Pharisee’s who studied much of this were pretty much blind. Humbleness should, therefore, overtake us.
Please read the section – Daniel 2:36-49
1. What are the main points of this passage and why? Take your time here. Digest what is being said and think of what you would do after just being told your dream that no one else knew.
This section presents the foreordained succession of world powers that are to dominate the Near East till the final victory of the Messiah in the last days. There is so much material around the theories and how each has flaws or inconsistencies that if you would like, I will send you some links to review as well as have printed materials for borrowing. Bottom line, I have tried to ask questions of relevance and application and given you some basic history and interpretation ON the interpretation.
Read verses 36-38
2. Who is going to interpret the dream in verse 36?
3. What is the different between what Daniel says in verse 37 and what the soothsayers said to him when Neb first asked them to tell him the dream?
4. What is the main theme of verse 38?
5. What has God placed in your hands? List all things you can think of… spouse, children, job, apartment, what?
6. Do you see yourself responsible for what God has given you? Do you see that He has given it to you? Why or why not?
Verses 37-38 identify the golden head of the dream-image with Neb and the Babylonian Empire. The head comes first in the explanation (rather than the feet) probably because “head” (resah) is often used to mean “beginning” (at least in the form of Heb. Congnate ros); from this root the regular word for “beginning” (resit) is derived. For a despot like Neb, his government was the ideal type and was therefore esteemed as highly as gold. He exercised unrestricted authority over life and death throughout all Babylon. His word was law; no prior written law could challenge his will (v 38). Yet Daniel was careful to remind him that even this autocracy of his was under the almighty God. For only by his sufferance could Neb continue to draw breath; only by God’s decree could he exercise political power.
The first of four world-empires, then, was the Ne-Babylonian Empire of the Chaldeans that Neb, whose reign began in 605 B.C., was to rule over for about forty more years – till 562 or 560 B.C. But his empire did not last more than twenty-one years after his death. His son Evil-Merodach (Amel-Marduk in Akkadian) reigned two years only (560-558). Nerglissar (Nergal-shar-usur) reigned for years (560-556) and Labashi-Marduk only one (556). Nabondius engineered a coup d’etat in 555 and ruled until Babylon fell to the Persians in 539.
Read verse 39
7. What will happen after Neb is gone?
8. What will happen after you are gone? What ‘kingdom’ will rise after yours?
Daniel turned next to the other empires. About the second one (represented by silver) he said little except that it was “inferior” (ara minnak, literally, “beneath you”) to Babylon. From Neb’s standpoint the restriction on the monarch’s authority to annul a law once he had made it (6:12) was less desirable than his own unfettered power. The silver empire was to be Medo-Persia, which began with Cyrus the Great, who conquered Egypt but died in 523 or 522. After a brief reign by an upstart claiming to be Cyrus’s younger son, Darius son of Hystaspes deposed and assassinated him and established a new dynasty. Darius brought the Persian Empire to its zenith of power but left unsettled the question of the Greeks in his western borer, even though he did not conquer Thrace. Xerxes (485-464) his son, in his abortive invasion of 480-479, failed to conquer the Greeks. Nor did his successor Artaxerxes I (464-424) do this but rather contented himself with intrigue by setting the Greek city-states against one another. Later Persian emperors – Darius II, Artaxerxes II; Artaxerxes III, Arses, and Darius II declined still further in power. This silver empire was supreme in the Near and Middle East for about two centuries.
As for the third empire (represent by bronze), it was even less desireable from Neb’s standpoint; though Greece was to “rule over the whole earth,” its political tradition was more republican than its predecessor. The bronze empire was the Greco_Mecedonian Empire established by Alexander the Great, who began his invasion of Persia in 334, crushed its last resistance in 331, and established a realm extending from the border of Yugoslavia to beyond the Indus Valley in India – the largest empire of ancient times. After his death in 323, Alexander’s territory soon split up into four smaller realms, ruled over by his former generals (Antipater in Mecedon-Greed, Lysimachus in Thrace-Asia Minor, Seleucus in Asia, and and Ptolemy in Egypt, Cyrenaica, and Palenstine). This situation crystallized after the Battle of Ipsus in 301, when the final attempt to maintain a unified empire was crushed through the defeat of the imperial regent Antigonus. The eastern sections of the Seleucid realm revolted from the central authority at Antioch and were gradually absorbed by the Parthians as far westward ad Mesopotamia. But the remainder of the former Greek Empire was annexed by Rome after Antiochos the Great was defeated at Magneisa in 190 B.C. Macedon was annexed by Rome in 168, Greece as permanently subdued in 146, the Seleucid domains west of the Tigris were annexed by Pompey the Great in 63 B.C. Thus the bronze kingdom lasted for about 260 years before it was supplanted by the fourth kingdom prefigured in Neb’s dream-image.
Read verses 40-43
9. What is the main point of these verses?
10. What is the main point of verse 43? Why would it be important to us now and in this time in history?
Verse 40 describes this fourth empire, symbolized by the legs of iron. From a despotic standpoint, the Roman Republic was of far less value than gold, silver, or bronze; yet iron was the most suited to crush the opposing powers. Iron connotes toughness and ruthlessness and describes the Roman Empire that reached its widest extent under the reign of Trajan (98-117 A.D.), who occupied Rumania and much of Assyria for at least a few brief years.
Verse 41 deals with a later phrase or outgrowth of this fourth empire, symbolized by the feet and ten toes – made up of iron and earthenware, a fragile base for the huge monument. The text clearly implies that this final phase will be marke by some sort of federation rather than a powerful single realm. The iron may possibly represent the influence of the old Roman culture and tradition, and the potter may represent the inherent weakness in a socialist society based on relativism in morality and philosophy. Out of this mixture of iron and clay come weakness and confusion, pointing to the approaching day of doom. Within the scope of verse 43 are disunity, class struggle, and even civil war, resulting from the failure of the hopelessly divided society to achieve an integrated world-order. The iron and pottery may coexist, but they cannot combine into a strong and durable world-order.
An alternative view of the identity of the fourth empire has been proposed by Otto Zoeckler in his commentary on Daniel. Identifying the third empire as that of Alexander the Great, he took the fourth empire of Neb’s dream image to be that of the Seleudics – on of the four divisions Alexander’s empire was partitioned into (that of Seleucus I, c 311 B.C.). This would mean that the third kingdom (that of Alexander) lasted only 11 or 12 years, with an additional 12 years during which Perdiccas and Antigonus tried vainly to maintain the unity of the empire. Thus, it was from this fourth empire that the little horn , Atniochus IV, emerged. But such an identification of the fourth empire can hardly be reconciled with the description of the fourth kingdom as greater and stronger than the third. Could one segment of Alexander’s empire by considered more extensive than his entire realm? Or could it’s power be considered more formidable than that of Alexander himself – Alexander who never lost a battle? This is not a serious theory.
Read Verses 44-45 but just the first part of 45.
11. What is the mountain?
12. What does it mean the rock is carved out of the mountain?
13. Who is the rock?
14. What is destroyed?
15. What mountain is formed? Are the mountains connected?
These verses present the final scene. The rock cut form a mountain, the rock that becomes the fifth kingdom, rolls down from a mountain and smashes against the brittle feet of the great image and topples it over. It then reduces the entire monument – including the four metals – to dust, which the wind sweeps away, after which the rock becomes a mountain (kingdom) that fills the earth. In contract to the limited number of centuries the four man-made empires lasted, this fifth God-established kingdom is destined to endure forever – a realm never to be destroyed. Not only Daniel 7, but parallel passages leave us in no doubt that this fifth realm is the kingdom of God, ruled over by Christ and enduring eternally, even after its earthly, millennial phase, is over.
Read Verses 45 to 47
16. What thoughts do you have about God each day?
17. How REALLY do you respond to God each day?
18. What are God’s plans for you in the future? What if He did know your future? Would you live any differently?
Daniel closed his interpretation of the dream by assuring Neb that it was divinely inspired and absolutely trustworthy. Thus the God of heaven had graciously granted the king the knowledge of the future he had asked for. The baffling mystery had at last been unraveled by the spokesman of the one true God. The king could only acknowledge Yahweh as “God of gods”, the absolute sovereign over all the powers of heaven (even including the king’s own patron gods, Marduk and Nabu), and “Lord of kings” on earth, the true Lord of history. Moreover, the king acknowledged Yahweh’s supremacy in wisdom as being alone able to reveal the mysteries of the future, something no pagan god could do.
In token of his submission to Daniel’s God, Neb then bowed before Daniel and offered incense to him as if he were Deity. What a remarkable scene! The despot who but an hour before had ordered the execution of all his wise men was prostrating himself before the foreign captive from a third-rate subject nation! Even though he opposed the wisdom of the Chaldeans, this absurd monotheist (Daniel) had somehow found the right answer. Surely, therefore, his God was worthy of honor above all the other deities, who had completely failed to reveal the dream. The king’s praise to the Lord does not mean that he doubted the existence of other gods, much less that he had experienced any sort of conversion.
Read verses 48-49
1. What is your response when God reveals Himself to you? Name a specific situation in which God has revealed himself to you…
Since Daniel had so decisively proved himself a true prophet with access to the great God he worshipped, it was only logical for Neb to put him in charge of all the diviners at the court of Babylon. Hence he officially became “ruler” (literally “chief of appointed officials) over the whole bureau of wise men. It was also understandable that the king fulfilled his original promise in chapter 2 verse 6 and loaded him with gifts and royal honors. But that he went on to appoint Daniel civil governor of the entire capital province of Babylon – a post of highest importance in the political structure – was indeed noteworthy. Normally this position would be reserved for a Chaldean nobleman, a member, like Neb, of the master race. For a Jew from the Captivity to be so honored was unprecendented and shows how deeply his intelligence and integrity had impressed the king.
Daniel’s loyalty to his three friend was shown by his request that they too might be given high appointments. Of course, it strengthened Daniel’s hand to have his three trusted friends help him in his administrative duties.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Notes and Quesitons for February 15, 2009
Notes and Questions for February 15, 2009
First off this week I want to tell you all how much I appreciate each of you. I am looking through the list of names/addresses here and am blessed to know each of you. What God is doing in your lives individually and collectively is amazing. I am humbled each time I am able to talk with each of you.
Second, this Sunday we will be continuing the question I gave you at the beginning of the class last week - "Who are you in Christ?" - which you started to discuss with your spouse.
Take a moment to pull out your notes from class last week and think about who Daniel is in the Lord. Just think up and until this time in the book.
· What traits and qualities would you ascribe to him and/or his friends?
· How would you KNOW that Daniel loved the Lord?
There are two sections of questions for this week to complete:
Section 1 - Who are you in the Lord outwardly...
1. Who are you in the Lord?
2. What traits and qualities would/should be ascribed to you?
3. How do others KNOW that you love the Lord?
Be VERY SPECIFIC about these answers. Don't hold back.
Section 2 - Who are you in the Lord inwardly....
1. What goes on inside of you each day?
2. Who do you look to for guidance and help?
3. How do you inwardly have a relationship with Him?
4. What spiritual disciplines (prayer, worship, bible study, etc) do you practice without others around?
This week's questions are simple enough to ask and to understand but are more difficult to answer - at least they were for me. This Sunday we will be reviewing these questions as the primary part of the class. We will also be reviewing several scriptures from other people in the Bible about their relationship with the Lord.
On February 22, 2009 we will pick up with the interpretation of Neb's dream by Daniel.
First off this week I want to tell you all how much I appreciate each of you. I am looking through the list of names/addresses here and am blessed to know each of you. What God is doing in your lives individually and collectively is amazing. I am humbled each time I am able to talk with each of you.
Second, this Sunday we will be continuing the question I gave you at the beginning of the class last week - "Who are you in Christ?" - which you started to discuss with your spouse.
Take a moment to pull out your notes from class last week and think about who Daniel is in the Lord. Just think up and until this time in the book.
· What traits and qualities would you ascribe to him and/or his friends?
· How would you KNOW that Daniel loved the Lord?
There are two sections of questions for this week to complete:
Section 1 - Who are you in the Lord outwardly...
1. Who are you in the Lord?
2. What traits and qualities would/should be ascribed to you?
3. How do others KNOW that you love the Lord?
Be VERY SPECIFIC about these answers. Don't hold back.
Section 2 - Who are you in the Lord inwardly....
1. What goes on inside of you each day?
2. Who do you look to for guidance and help?
3. How do you inwardly have a relationship with Him?
4. What spiritual disciplines (prayer, worship, bible study, etc) do you practice without others around?
This week's questions are simple enough to ask and to understand but are more difficult to answer - at least they were for me. This Sunday we will be reviewing these questions as the primary part of the class. We will also be reviewing several scriptures from other people in the Bible about their relationship with the Lord.
On February 22, 2009 we will pick up with the interpretation of Neb's dream by Daniel.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Notes and Questions for February 8, 2009
Notes and Questions for February 8, 2009
Last week the plea of Daniel in prayer was met with answer to the prayer through a vision in his dream. In verses 20-23 Daniel exclaimed praise for the one and only true God.
This week we will review verse 24 through 35 of Chapter 2. This is a significant passage in our study of Daniel. The reciting of the dream along with the interpretation is significant prophecy. Note that God is the one that details what this means. Note his use of Neb, not a believer, to show His glory and faithfulness. Notice last, that He is speaking to us now, not just then.
Please read the section - Daniel 2:24-35
What is going on here?
What are the 3 main points (if you were to have to tell someone a summary) of this section?
Read verses 24-25
Who went to who in these verses?
Did Daniel only save those who were his friends? Who did he request that would be spared?
Did Arioch take any credit for Daniel's ability or finding the man?
Observe how Arioch, who had been appointed to execute the wise men (v 24), claimed a measure of credit for himself in having discovered Daniel. After having been assured by Daniel that he had the answer, Arioch hurried to tell Neb: "I have found a man... who can tell the king what his dream means" (v25). Arioch may not have known that Daniel had already asked the king for a stay of execution, unless v 16 merely implies a request with Neb through a secretary - or else Arioch may simply have forgotten this. At any rate, his attempt to enhance his standing through Daniel's success shows his complete confidence in Daniels ability to recall the details of the dream.
Read verses 26-30
When specifically do you acknowledge God? Do we give Him all of the credit or is some of out ours? Why?
What specific ways have you acknowledge what God has done for you? What has God done for you?
Do you believe God guides thoughts and situations for His glory? Why or why not? Discuss this with your spouse.
As Neb half-incredulously asked Daniel whether he could actually describe the dream (v 26), Daniel used to the full his opportunity to witness to Yahweh's unique power to reveal what the false gods of the pagan seers could not tell them - the substance and meaning of the dream (verses 27-30). As he spoke of their inability to unravel the mystery (v 27), Daniel implied the worthlessness of their theology - indeed, of polytheism in general. That He alone, as Yahweh's spokesman, had the answer points unmistakeably to the reality of the God of the Hebrews (v 28). "But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries," in contrast to all the imaginary gods of the heathen who are helpless to reveal anything. "He has shown KingNeb what will happen in the days to come" (beaharit yomayya, lit. "in the end of days", a phrase generally pointing to the times of the Messiah, when human history will be brought to its close (see notes at the end of this week's questions for a more in depth look at verse 28). Then, having explained his ability to do what none of the others could do - all because of his wonderful God - Daniel told Neb what he had seen in his dream.
In verse 29 Daniel reminded the king of the train of thought that had preceded his dream: "As you were lying there, O king, your mind turned to things to come." So he implied that Yahweh had graciously taken note of the king's statesmanlike concern and had granted him a full answer to his inquiry (v 30). Again Daniel disclaimed any personal ability in transmitting this revelation but openly and publicly gave God all the glory.
Read verses 31 to 35 -
What would be your reaction to someone that could tell you something like this (if you were the king)?
Do these specific items mean anything to you? Go verse by verse and interpret these things for face value:
31 - Colossal image - what does this mean - why is it important?
32 - Head
33 - metals and body parts
34 - Stone and crushing
35 - Blown away
Why was it important that the dream be accurately reconstructed? (Go deeper than the fact that Daniel would have been put to death)
Daniel next disclosed the main theme of the dream - the colossal image (v 31) composed of four different metals; the head of gold (v 32), the breast and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of bronze, and the legs of iron (v 33), with their oddly constructed feet of iron mingled with clay. This composite statue was then reduced to powder by a huge stone (v 34), and the powder was blown away by the wind (v 35). Where the image had stood, the rock grew to the size of a huge mountain that filled the whole scene. To his astonishment, Neb recognized the accuracy of every detail of Daniel's description. He must have been leaning forward to hear the explanation from what he now knew to be a spokesman from God.
Next week we will dive into the interpretation and prophecy revealed through the king to us all. Should be fun!
Andrew
In depth notes on verse 28 -from Frank E Gaebelein in the Expositor's Commentary
The expression beaharit yomayya, "in the days to come") first appears in Gen 49:1, where Jacob foretold the lot of Twelve Tribes after their conquest of Canaan some four centuries later. In Duet 4:30 it refers to the period of Israel's return to God after adversity, in 31:29 of the period of Israel's future rebellion. In Isa 2:2 it points forward to the establishment of the millennial kingdom, in Ezek 38:16 to the eschatological war of Gog against restored Israel. Here it seems to refer to all the coming events subsequent to the lifetime of Neb and including the final establishment of the fifth kingdom (the Millennial Age). The other occurrence in Dan 10:14 seems to include both the "Proto Tribulation" under Antiochus Epiphanes in the second century b.c. and the antitypical Great Tribulation under the Beast in the last days. So far as the NT usage is concerned, Peter in his Pentecost sermon in Acts 2:17 referred Joel 2:28-32 to the "last days" (en tais schatais hermerais) and evidently included the whole post crucifixion period, from the establishment of the NT church to the second coming of Christ. In Heb 1:2, the phrase ep schatou ton hemer on touton, ("in these last days") occurs with evident reference to the church age, but without any specific terminous ad quem.
Last week the plea of Daniel in prayer was met with answer to the prayer through a vision in his dream. In verses 20-23 Daniel exclaimed praise for the one and only true God.
This week we will review verse 24 through 35 of Chapter 2. This is a significant passage in our study of Daniel. The reciting of the dream along with the interpretation is significant prophecy. Note that God is the one that details what this means. Note his use of Neb, not a believer, to show His glory and faithfulness. Notice last, that He is speaking to us now, not just then.
Please read the section - Daniel 2:24-35
What is going on here?
What are the 3 main points (if you were to have to tell someone a summary) of this section?
Read verses 24-25
Who went to who in these verses?
Did Daniel only save those who were his friends? Who did he request that would be spared?
Did Arioch take any credit for Daniel's ability or finding the man?
Observe how Arioch, who had been appointed to execute the wise men (v 24), claimed a measure of credit for himself in having discovered Daniel. After having been assured by Daniel that he had the answer, Arioch hurried to tell Neb: "I have found a man... who can tell the king what his dream means" (v25). Arioch may not have known that Daniel had already asked the king for a stay of execution, unless v 16 merely implies a request with Neb through a secretary - or else Arioch may simply have forgotten this. At any rate, his attempt to enhance his standing through Daniel's success shows his complete confidence in Daniels ability to recall the details of the dream.
Read verses 26-30
When specifically do you acknowledge God? Do we give Him all of the credit or is some of out ours? Why?
What specific ways have you acknowledge what God has done for you? What has God done for you?
Do you believe God guides thoughts and situations for His glory? Why or why not? Discuss this with your spouse.
As Neb half-incredulously asked Daniel whether he could actually describe the dream (v 26), Daniel used to the full his opportunity to witness to Yahweh's unique power to reveal what the false gods of the pagan seers could not tell them - the substance and meaning of the dream (verses 27-30). As he spoke of their inability to unravel the mystery (v 27), Daniel implied the worthlessness of their theology - indeed, of polytheism in general. That He alone, as Yahweh's spokesman, had the answer points unmistakeably to the reality of the God of the Hebrews (v 28). "But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries," in contrast to all the imaginary gods of the heathen who are helpless to reveal anything. "He has shown KingNeb what will happen in the days to come" (beaharit yomayya, lit. "in the end of days", a phrase generally pointing to the times of the Messiah, when human history will be brought to its close (see notes at the end of this week's questions for a more in depth look at verse 28). Then, having explained his ability to do what none of the others could do - all because of his wonderful God - Daniel told Neb what he had seen in his dream.
In verse 29 Daniel reminded the king of the train of thought that had preceded his dream: "As you were lying there, O king, your mind turned to things to come." So he implied that Yahweh had graciously taken note of the king's statesmanlike concern and had granted him a full answer to his inquiry (v 30). Again Daniel disclaimed any personal ability in transmitting this revelation but openly and publicly gave God all the glory.
Read verses 31 to 35 -
What would be your reaction to someone that could tell you something like this (if you were the king)?
Do these specific items mean anything to you? Go verse by verse and interpret these things for face value:
31 - Colossal image - what does this mean - why is it important?
32 - Head
33 - metals and body parts
34 - Stone and crushing
35 - Blown away
Why was it important that the dream be accurately reconstructed? (Go deeper than the fact that Daniel would have been put to death)
Daniel next disclosed the main theme of the dream - the colossal image (v 31) composed of four different metals; the head of gold (v 32), the breast and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of bronze, and the legs of iron (v 33), with their oddly constructed feet of iron mingled with clay. This composite statue was then reduced to powder by a huge stone (v 34), and the powder was blown away by the wind (v 35). Where the image had stood, the rock grew to the size of a huge mountain that filled the whole scene. To his astonishment, Neb recognized the accuracy of every detail of Daniel's description. He must have been leaning forward to hear the explanation from what he now knew to be a spokesman from God.
Next week we will dive into the interpretation and prophecy revealed through the king to us all. Should be fun!
Andrew
In depth notes on verse 28 -from Frank E Gaebelein in the Expositor's Commentary
The expression beaharit yomayya, "in the days to come") first appears in Gen 49:1, where Jacob foretold the lot of Twelve Tribes after their conquest of Canaan some four centuries later. In Duet 4:30 it refers to the period of Israel's return to God after adversity, in 31:29 of the period of Israel's future rebellion. In Isa 2:2 it points forward to the establishment of the millennial kingdom, in Ezek 38:16 to the eschatological war of Gog against restored Israel. Here it seems to refer to all the coming events subsequent to the lifetime of Neb and including the final establishment of the fifth kingdom (the Millennial Age). The other occurrence in Dan 10:14 seems to include both the "Proto Tribulation" under Antiochus Epiphanes in the second century b.c. and the antitypical Great Tribulation under the Beast in the last days. So far as the NT usage is concerned, Peter in his Pentecost sermon in Acts 2:17 referred Joel 2:28-32 to the "last days" (en tais schatais hermerais) and evidently included the whole post crucifixion period, from the establishment of the NT church to the second coming of Christ. In Heb 1:2, the phrase ep schatou ton hemer on touton, ("in these last days") occurs with evident reference to the church age, but without any specific terminous ad quem.
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