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Daniel read-through, chapters 5-7
In the last reading, I covered Daniel 1-4, and today I have gone through chapters 5-7. Today we see a story about Belshazzar’s pride in chapter 5, Daniel’s famous story about the lion’s den in chapter 6, and a story about Daniel’s own dream and vision in chapter 7.
So, we have seen laid out in front of us 3 big ideas now.
In chapters 1, 3, and 6, we see stories about the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends, across a few extraordinary situations. In chapters 4 and 5, we see the reason for all of the chaos in this book is related to human pride, specifically these two kings Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. And we then see encouragement that God’s people should be patient, and faithful, and should be in a sort of mode of ‘waiting’ and ‘longing’ in chapters 2 and 7, as we see the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel’s dream.
As we flip to the last few chapters, the question we start looking to have answered is simply, “When?”. When will we see these rescue that is promised?
The thing that strikes me this morning, which is not nearly as complex or deep of a thought as this material could provoke, is Daniel’s journey. As I read this, I am thinking about how Daniel’s first actions was a small step of faithfulness (compared to later steps), to refuse to eat food that he felt compelled to resist because of his relationship with God. It was his battle. In doing that, he discipled three guys (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), and he brought them on his journey of faithfulness. Then Daniel is tested again, this time alone in the story of the lion’s den, and proves a faithful servant of God. All along the way, we see him interpreting visions and dreams that are more and more complex. Eventually, he finds himself communicating with the angel Gabriel, and even God.
The reason I find this encouraging to me is that it demonstrates how our spiritual maturity takes us to a deeper level of understanding over time. It leads us to a place of more intimate relationship with God. It reminds me that the world isn’t really completely visible or understandable to me...God has to bring me to a place of understanding over time, and as I develop. It reminds me that there is a reward for faithfulness here in this life; that is understanding. I also have to imagine that with that understanding comes a love and respect that is also deeper...for God, for life, for those around me. Daniel is showing me that there really is a lifelong journey of spiritual development for me. What a great reminder for this morning.
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By Steve AndersonIn the last reading, I covered Daniel 1-4, and today I have gone through chapters 5-7. Today we see a story about Belshazzar’s pride in chapter 5, Daniel’s famous story about the lion’s den in chapter 6, and a story about Daniel’s own dream and vision in chapter 7.
So, we have seen laid out in front of us 3 big ideas now.
In chapters 1, 3, and 6, we see stories about the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends, across a few extraordinary situations. In chapters 4 and 5, we see the reason for all of the chaos in this book is related to human pride, specifically these two kings Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. And we then see encouragement that God’s people should be patient, and faithful, and should be in a sort of mode of ‘waiting’ and ‘longing’ in chapters 2 and 7, as we see the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel’s dream.
As we flip to the last few chapters, the question we start looking to have answered is simply, “When?”. When will we see these rescue that is promised?
The thing that strikes me this morning, which is not nearly as complex or deep of a thought as this material could provoke, is Daniel’s journey. As I read this, I am thinking about how Daniel’s first actions was a small step of faithfulness (compared to later steps), to refuse to eat food that he felt compelled to resist because of his relationship with God. It was his battle. In doing that, he discipled three guys (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), and he brought them on his journey of faithfulness. Then Daniel is tested again, this time alone in the story of the lion’s den, and proves a faithful servant of God. All along the way, we see him interpreting visions and dreams that are more and more complex. Eventually, he finds himself communicating with the angel Gabriel, and even God.
The reason I find this encouraging to me is that it demonstrates how our spiritual maturity takes us to a deeper level of understanding over time. It leads us to a place of more intimate relationship with God. It reminds me that the world isn’t really completely visible or understandable to me...God has to bring me to a place of understanding over time, and as I develop. It reminds me that there is a reward for faithfulness here in this life; that is understanding. I also have to imagine that with that understanding comes a love and respect that is also deeper...for God, for life, for those around me. Daniel is showing me that there really is a lifelong journey of spiritual development for me. What a great reminder for this morning.