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Jeremiah 19:1-20:18; Daniel 1:1-21<\/strong><\/span> I read Jeremiah chapter 19 today and am reminded again of how tough it can be to be a prophet! Wow. Can you imagine receiving these words from God to deliver to a nation? It\u2019s tough duty \u2013 getting to the point of Jeremiah being whipped and put in stocks in chapter 20, verse 2.\u00a0 Below is an image of Jeremiah prophesying the doom of Pashur from chapter 20 verse 6:<\/span><\/p>\n Jeremiah does get to complaining about his lifestyle as a prophet in chapter 20:7-18. In verse 9 he bursts out with: \u201cAnd I can\u2019t stop! If I say I\u2019ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It\u2019s like a fire in my bones!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I really like this! \u201cHis word burns in my heart like a fire\u201d! Does God\u2019s word burn in your heart like a fire?? Should it? Could it? Will you let it?<\/span><\/p>\n Today we start the book of Daniel, which is an incredible book!\u00a0 The book of Daniel takes place in approximately 605 B.C. during the first captivity of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.\u00a0 Daniel is exiled to Babylon to Jerusalem in 605 B.C. \u2013 whereas Ezekiel, the prophet of the previous book, was exiled in 597 B.C.\u00a0 \u00a0It is generally believed that Daniel himself wrote this entire book.\u00a0 Though some say that Daniel couldn\u2019t have written this book because his prophecies in the this book are spot-on.\u00a0 Thus, some think someone else must have written the book in retrospect.\u00a0 Let\u2019s forge ahead with the belief that Daniel indeed wrote this book.\u00a0 I do believe that God can indeed prophesy events through prophets like Daniel before they actually happen\u2026 <\/span>Below is a painting of Daniel by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel \u2013 <\/span><\/p>\n ~ Daniel ~<\/strong> Daniel chapter 1 verse 7 is worth diving into to show how Nebuchadnezzar was trying to change the religious alliances of these 4 young men from Jerusalem \u2013 \u201cThe chief official renamed them with these Babylonian names:\u00a0 Daniel was called Belteshazzar.\u00a0 Hananiah was called Shadrach.\u00a0 Mishael was called Meshach.\u00a0 Azariah was called Abednego.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Daniel\u2019s name in Hebrew means \u201cGod is my Judge\u201d \u2013 his new name Belteshazzar meant \u201cBel, protect his life!\u201d\u00a0 Bel, or Marduk was the main Babylonian god.\u00a0 (you can see where Nebuchadnezzar was going with this\u2026)\u00a0 Hananaih\u2019s name in Hebrew is \u201cthe Lord shows grace\u201d and Shadrach means \u201cunder the command of Aku\u201d \u2013 the moon god\u2026.\u00a0 Mishael\u2019s name in Hebrew is \u201cwho is like God?\u201d and his new name Meshach is \u201cwho is like Aku?\u201d\u00a0 And finally Azariah\u2019s name in Hebrew is \u201cthe Lord helps\u201d and his new name Abednego is \u201cservant of Nego\/Nebo\u201d \u2013 the god of learning and writing.\u00a0 Do you think that someone\u2019s name can be reflective of who they are?\u00a0 Are names important? <\/span><\/p>\n Verse 8 is worth exploring \u2013 \u201cBut Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Why do you think this was?\u00a0 Was Daniel just being picky?\u00a0 Snooty?\u00a0 Well, that was kind of my first thought.\u00a0 Further study shows that the food the Babylonians were going to feed Daniel and the 3 others were sacrificed to idols.\u00a0 Which is not a good thing in the Law\u2026\u00a0 And furthermore, the wine was poured out on pagan altars.\u00a0 Again, not good.\u00a0 So, Daniel is making a very wise move here.\u00a0 Will we do things like this in our own lives?\u00a0 Things that appear to be \u201charmless\u201d on the surface, will we refuse, if we know they will actually be damaging to us or our relationship with God?\u00a0 Even if our peers are pressuring us?\u00a0 Will we not defile ourselves?<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 Today\u2019s readings remind me of the Chris Tomlin song \u201cOur God is Greater:\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \n
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Author: Daniel
Date:\u00a0 Sixth century B.C.
Content:\u00a0 Daniel was carried off into captivity in Babylon as a young boy where, although he was a captive, he received an education and ultimately rose to a high position in Babylonian, and later, Persian government.\u00a0 Because of his trust in God he was subjected to barbarous persecution, at one point being thrown to the lions.\u00a0 Three of his compatriots were thrown into a furnace, but they too survived by the power of God.\u00a0 The book deals with many historical events of Daniel\u2019s day, but it also contains prophecies concerning the future.\u00a0 Daniel saw the great world empires that were to come, but saw more than just that.\u00a0 He also saw the power of God and the Messiah, Jesus, who was to come and undo the evil of this world, ultimately to establish a kingdom of righteousness that would never fade away.\u00a0
Theme: Daniel\u2019s major theme is the sovereignty of God.\u00a0 God rules over the affairs of men, directing the course of history toward his own ends, working in and through the acts of men.\u00a0 The kingdoms of men rise and fall but God remains forever.\u00a0 God\u2019s will remains forever as well, and it is God\u2019s determination to bring salvation to men by the Messiah whom he will send.\u00a0 Ultimately evil will be overcome and good will triumph because God has willed it so.\u00a0 (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers \u201cThe One Year Bible Companion\u201d pp. 14-15)<\/em> A wonderful commentary on the book of Daniel by Bob Deffinbaugh titled \u201cDaring to Believe Daniel\u201d is at this link \u2013 <\/span>https:\/\/bible.org\/seriespage\/daring-believe-daniel<\/span>\u00a0 Below is an engraving of Daniel by Gustaf Dore \u2013 <\/span><\/p>\n