Daniel 1:1-2:23 + 1 Peter 3:8-4:6 + Psalm 119:65-80 + Proverbs 28:14
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Old Testament – Today we start the book of Daniel, which is an incredible book! The book of Daniel takes place in approximately 605 B.C. during the first captivity of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Daniel is exiled to Babylon to Jerusalem in 605 B.C. – whereas Ezekiel, the prophet of the previous book, was exiled in 597 B.C. It is generally believed that Daniel himself wrote this entire book. Though some say that Daniel couldn’t have written this book because his prophecies in the this book are spot-on. Thus, some think someone else must have written the book in retrospect. Let’s forge ahead with the belief that Daniel indeed wrote this book. I do believe that God can indeed prophesy events through prophets like Daniel before they actually happen… A good overview of the book of Daniel – and the authorship questions – is online here. Below is a painting of Daniel by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel –
~ Daniel ~
Author: Daniel
Date: Sixth century B.C.
Content: 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. Because of his trust in God he was subjected to barbarous persecution, at one point being thrown to the lions. Three of his compatriots were thrown into a furnace, but they too survived by the power of God. The book deals with many historical events of Daniel’s day, but it also contains prophecies concerning the future. Daniel saw the great world empires that were to come, but saw more than just that. 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.
Theme: Daniel’s major theme is the sovereignty of God. God rules over the affairs of men, directing the course of history toward his own ends, working in and through the acts of men. The kingdoms of men rise and fall but God remains forever. God’s will remains forever as well, and it is God’s determination to bring salvation to men by the Messiah whom he will send. Ultimately evil will be overcome and good will triumph because God has willed it so. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 14-15) A wonderful commentary on the book of Daniel by Bob Deffinbaugh titled “Daring to Believe Daniel” is at this link. Below is an engraving of Daniel by Gustaf Dore –
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 – “The chief official renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego.” Daniel’s name in Hebrew means “God is my Judge” – his new name Belteshazzar meant “Bel, protect his life!” Bel, or Marduk was the main Babylonian god. (you can see where Nebuchadnezzar was going with this…) Hananaih’s name in Hebrew is “the Lord shows grace” and Shadrach means “under the command of Aku” – the moon god…. Mishael’s name in Hebrew is “who is like God?” and his new name Meshach is “who is like Aku?” And finally Azariah’s name in Hebrew is “the Lord helps” and his new name Abednego is “servant of Nego/Nebo” – the god of learning and writing. Do you think that someone’s name can be reflective of who they are? Are names important?
Verse 8 is worth exploring – “But Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king.” Why do you think this was? Was Daniel just being picky? Snooty? Well, that was kind of my first thought. Further study shows that the food the Babylonians were going to feed Daniel and the 3 others were sacrificed to idols. Which is not a good thing in the Law… And furthermore, the wine was poured out on pagan altars. Again, not good. So, Daniel is making a very wise move here. Will we do things like this in our own lives? Things that appear to be “harmless” on the surface, will we refuse, if we know they will actually be damaging to us or our relationship with God? Even if our peers are pressuring us? Will we not defile ourselves?
Daniel chapter 2 verse 20 has a great start to a prayer from Daniel to God – “”Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he alone has all wisdom and power.” Check out the remainder of the verses in this chapter – this prayer. This praise. Do we pray to God in this manner? Do we open up our prayers with praise for God? Do we acknowledge that only God has all wisdom and power? Can we learn something from Daniel’s prayer?
Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of the book of Daniel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cSC9uobtPM
New Testament – 1 Peter 3 verse 13 is definitely something for each of us to consider – “Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?” I think this is very true. If you are “eager” to do good, who will want to harm you? Well, true, maybe someone who becomes jealous or who is just plain having a bad day… but generally speaking, I think we can avoid a lot of troubles in our life if we stay focused – no, eager – to do good. All the time. Are you eager to do good?
Suffering. Not something we like to think about – much less experience… 1 Peter 4 verses 1 & 2 are well worth letting sink in a bit – “So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning. And you won’t spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.” Do you believe these verses to be true? Are you ready to suffer for Christ? Have you decided to stop sinning? Are you anxious to do the will of God and abandon chasing evil desires? Do you believe this is the Way?
Psalms – Psalm 119 verse 71 has an interesting take on suffering – “The suffering you sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your principles.” Do you believe suffering can be good for you? Can it teach you to pay attention to God? Christianity Today magazine had a great article on Suffering a while back, which you can read at this link. (Note that the article starts out with this provocative statement – “God loves you and has a difficult plan for your life.”) Also, I did find some reflections on Suffering & Grief on ChristianityToday.com that are worth reading at this link.
Proverbs – Proverbs 28 verse 14 today teaches us: “Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.” I think this should simply should make us ask – Do I fear to do wrong? What does it mean to fear to do wrong? How does one live one’s life if you fear to do wrong?
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Rich Mullins’ song “Creed” sung here by Third Day and Brandon Heath:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3i-_VWxOAc
Do you believe in God the Father? Click here for Belief!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. “ Proverbs 28:14 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that your heart is soft for God. Pray that your heart is hardened against sin.
Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
====== Ramona:
Daniel 1-2:23
8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.
Hmmm, this verse has intrigued me like never before. I know that there are several theories on what kind of food Daniel and his three friends didn’t want to eat. Where they sacrificed to idols, I don’t know and I’m pretty much convinced that foods sacrificed to idols when eaten would not cause a difference in physical appearance. Most likely they were to be given were foods that were ceremonial “unclean.”
Five years ago I was diagnosed as a Type II diabetic. Meaning something going on in my metabolic makeup was either causing my pancreases not to produce enough insulin and/or my muscles had become insensitive to the presences of insulin in my bloodstream. This year I began reading every bit of research that I could get my hands on in regard to Type II and found that there is a branch of medicine that is looking at something called, “Metabolic Syndrome,” a precursor to Type II. There is also a group that is looking at our food supply to determine if the food processing used to increase the shelf life and the animal feed used to fatten the domesticated animals we consume may be fueling metabolic syndrome, which is leading many of us down a path to unhealthy bodies, hmmm.
Could the need to supply the palace with luscious steaks with marbleized fat making each little bit of meat tender and succulent instead of grass fed livestock roaming the land making their muscles strong and tough be the reason why these four men refused to eat from the king’s table? From what I have been reading, the changes in feed, produce animals that our bodies are finding hard to not only digest but also to uptake the nutrients. Thus we become overfed and undernourished.
Sorry to go off on a tangent especially after having not been able to post since Nov. the 5th (Computer problems), but today’s reading is making so much sense to me with what I am researching and studying.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====== Anka:
Sometimes suffering is what really brings us to our knees before God…I guess the greatest testimony is that of a christian who while suffering still gives glory to God…I’m still very much in the moulding process and have to admit many times I still do grumble and complain instead of glorifying God/believing it will all turn out for good….It helps me sometimes to remember the right road is narrow,maybe uncomfortable..but it’s the only one that takes you home…..
God bless you all
Anka
======= Mae:
I really have to keep this short … I’m soooooo sick!!! But can’t do without my Bible reading and leaving you a comment!!!
Proverbs 28 verse 14 today teaches us: “Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.”
I liked the question you asked: Do I fear to do wrong? What does it mean to fear to do wrong? How does one live one’s life if you fear to do wrong? ~~ Well, the thing for me, personally, is that I’m afraid to do wrong and not cause of the fear to be punished. But I don’t want to dissapoint My Father. He’s really teaching me to do right, he healed me, he polished me and I don’t want to mess up. Sure, I don’t want to do wrong, cause I want to life right, as a good person. Before my rebirth I really didn’t care, I always figured that I could handle myself if my ‘doing wrong’ came after me to bite me in the butt. But now it’s the Lord who I’m sort of betraying, and I don’t want to. Cause He’s been nothing but good to me. He changed my life and I don’t want to let Him down.
ps: I really hope you all understand my comments. English is not my first language …
Mae
======= Jenny:
I looove the book of Daniel…to anybody who hasnt read it, you’re in for a real treat! Or if we have read it once or 100 times, we’re still in for a treat!
1 Peter is also awesome teachings and instructions for Godly living. Lets be doers of the word not just hearers/readers.
Psalm is also beautiful! So much stood out, but if I start writing I doubt I could stop :p
Thank you God for Your Word!
Jenny
======= Pam:
God’s timing is so perfect. I just received and e-mail from an athiest, satanist, that he was going to slander me. I didn’t really care what he said, but the passage in I Peter, really encouraged me anyway.
Pam
====== Nelly:
I enjoyed this reading. I believe that when we suffer for Christ, we are growing, remember when you were a kid and you would get “growing pains”. Sometimes growing hurts, but you have to sometimes suffer in order to grow.
Also, I like the “fear to do wrong”, I want to fear to do wrong, because that means that I’m striving to draw closer to the Lord and I don’t want to do anything that would be displeasing to Him. God is awesome and I love Him
Nelly
====== Hank:
Okay Soooo Confused by 1Peter 3:19 what does he mean when he says he preached to the Spirits in prision? Is he talking about the risen Lord Going into Hell? I’m kinda lost on this one, And Surprised you didn’t mention it. You always bring up Little Diamonds that we may overlook trying to get the Big picture. Good Reading and Overview.
Hank
======== Nick:
Daniel 2:17 stood out for me.Most times in life when there is an issue we run to our friends, parents etc, but Daniel showed us what ought to be done. We are to run to the one who knows all things, God.
Concerning the names, wow!! didn’t know the meaning of the names before but I feel names are important and reflect who you are. Take a look at Abram which meant Father of elevation, God changed it to Abraham to reflect what he was going to do in his life meaning father of multitude. there are much more in the bible but I would stop here for now.
Nick
======= Luch:
i love the example of daniel and his 3 friends. At a minimum a community, should i say ‘a church in miniature’ is made up of this small a group in a very hostile environment. They have the irreducible minimums of being obedient to God’s word, to their true identity, and to the kingdom of God.
We think we need so many structures to be considered ‘church’ but these 4 found each other and were able to not only survive in that pagan world, but even to thrive. They are a great example of being in the world but the world not being in them. We should be careful to not judge people who choose to live outside the ‘accepted norms’ of what is considered ‘church’. Perhaps those outside the ‘formal structures’ are actually making a pathway forward for a day when we too will live in a ‘babylonian like’ world.
Luch
====== Vance:
I do not know where this fits in the daily Bible reading, but this is meditation on Isaiah 29, on
which I have been meditating.
Isaiah 29 (Contemprary English Version – CEV)
The LORD said:
1
Jerusalem, city of David, the place of my altar, you are in for trouble! Celebrate your festivals
year after year.
NOTES:
Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament
Isaiah wrote that, “His (God’s) fire is in Zion, and his furnace is in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 31:9). Naturally, wherever the fire is, there is also the altar.
Isaiah 31:6-9 (CEV)
6
People of Israel, come back! You have completely turned from the LORD.
7
The time is coming when you will throw away your idols of silver and gold, made by your sinful hands.
8
The Assyrians will be killed, but not by the swords of humans. Their young men will try to escape, but they will be captured and forced into slavery.
9
Their fortress [NOTE]
will fall when terror strikes; their army officers will be frightened and run from the battle. This is what the LORD has said, the LORD whose fiery furnace is built on Mount Zion.
[NOTE] fortress: Hebrew text has “rock,” which may refer to the Assyrian god or king, or to their army.
Isaiah 31:9, Amplified Bible
[In his flight] he shall pass beyond his rock [refuge and stronghold] because of terror; even his officers shall desert the standard in fear and panic, says the Lord, Whose fire is in Zion and Whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament (continued)
There the sacrifices were offered, the feasts were held, and there the Day of Atonement was celebrated, etc. Most significantly of all, it was there that the Great Sacrifice, that of Christ himself upon the cross, was offered.
“In the light of all this, `hearth of God’ (or altar-hearth) seems to be the better understanding.”
James Moffatt’s Translation of the Bible (1929) renders it, “God’s own hearth and altar.”
THE ORIGIN OF THE MAME OF CITY OF JERUSALEM:
Abraham offered his son, the son he loved the most—the child of promise through Sarah. In the English Bibles, God named the place “Jehovah Jireh”. In Bereishis (Genesis) in the Torah, the name is “Yahweh Yireh”.
According to the Torah, the name of the city had already been called “Shalem”, a derivative of “Shalom”—Peace.
Jerusalem: “Yireh – Shalem”, “Yeru – Shalem”. On the Mountain of God’s chosen offering, God provides and there is Peace.
~~~
Since we, as New Testament believers, are the “dwelling place of God”, may we also be “God’s own hearth and altar. This is not a calling to an easy life, but to be the living sacrifice to which that He calls us.
* We are to sacrifice our mind, thoughts, way, and will for His
* We are called to display the “fire” of His Glory in our fellowships and our lives.
* We are to intercede for the nations as the Lord Jesus, Who is the Glory of God.
Isaiah 29 (CEV – continued)
2
I will still make you suffer, and your people will cry when I make an altar of you.
The Adam Clarke Commentary
In Ezekiel 43:15, we learn that Ari-el was the name of the altar of burnt-offerings, put here for the city itself in which that altar was.
Ezekiel 43:15, Amplified Bible
And the altar hearth shall be four cubits high, and from the altar hearth reaching upward there shall be four horns one cubit high.
The Adam Clarke Commentary (continued)
As the altar of burnt-offerings was surrounded daily by the victims which were offered: so the walls of Jerusalem shall be surrounded by the dead bodies of those who had rebelled against the Lord, and who should be victims to his justice.
The translation of Bishop Lowth appears to embrace both meanings: “I will bring distress upon Ari-el; and it shall be to me as the hearth of the great altar.”
3
I will surround you and prepare to attack from all sides.
4
From deep in the earth, you will call out for help with only a faint whisper.
5
Then your cruel enemies will suddenly be swept away like dust in a windstorm.
~~~
6
I, the LORD All-Powerful, will come to your rescue with a thundering earthquake and a fiery
whirlwind.
~~~
The fate of Islamic nations attacking Jerusalem: “Yireh – Shalem”, “Yeru – Shalem”. On the Mountain of God’s chosen offering, God provides and there is Peace.
They forfeit peace through attacking Jerusalem.
7
Every brutal nation that attacks Jerusalem and makes it suffer will disappear like a dream when night is over.
8
Those nations that attack Mount Zion will suffer from hunger and thirst. They will dream of food and drink but wake up weary and hungry and thirsty as ever.
Prophets Who Fool Themselves
MY NOTE: Make sure to keep heart soft to Lord. The natural man cannot understand God’s wisdom, and sees His wisdom as foolish. We must understand God’s wisdom through the Holy Spirit bringing revelation to us as we pray, fast, and study God’s breath in writing—the Holy Bible.
Bringing our minds and our “wisdom” in submission to God’s Mind and God’s Wisdom is our calling and our life.
*
“Lord, I give up my mind for Your Mind”
*
“Lord, I give up my thoughts for Your Thoughts”
*
“Lord, I give up my way for Your Way”
*
“Lord, I give up my will for Your Will.”
In other words, in the words of Jesus: Ask (and keep asking) and it shall be given; seek (and keep seeking) and you shall find; knock (and keep knocking) and it shall be opened.
~~~
Isaiah 29 (CEV) continued
9
Be shocked and stunned, you prophets! Refuse to see. Get drunk and stagger, but not from wine.
10
The LORD has made you drowsy; he put you into a deep sleep and covered your head.
11
Now his message is like a sealed letter to you. Some of you say, “We can’t read it, because it’s sealed.”
12
Others say, “We can’t read it, because we don’t know how to read.”
13
The Lord has said: “These people praise me with their words, but they never really think about me. They worship me by repeating rules made up by humans.
14
So once again I will do things that shock and amaze them, and I will destroy the wisdom of those who claim to know and understand.”
15
You are in for trouble, if you try to hide your plans from the LORD! Or if you think what you do in the dark can’t be seen.
16
You have it all backwards. A clay dish doesn’t say to the potter, “You didn’t make me. You don’t even know how.”
Hope for the Future
17
Soon the forest of Lebanon will become a field with crops, thick as a forest.
18 The deaf will be able to hear whatever is read to them; the blind will be freed from a life of darkness.
19
The poor and the needy will celebrate and shout because of the LORD, the holy God of Israel.
20
All who are cruel and arrogant will be gone forever. Those who live by crime will disappear,
21
together with everyone who tells lies in court and keeps innocent people from getting a fair trial.
22
The LORD who rescued Abraham has this to say about Jacob’s descendants:
“They will no longer be ashamed and disgraced.
23
When they see how great I have made their nation, they will praise and honor me, the holy God of Israel.
24
Everyone who is confused will understand, and all who have complained will obey my teaching.”
Vance
===== David:
The readings today are warning Christians everywhere to have a Holy life! Both the Old Testament and New! One must even eat Holy food and drink. It is so important to control what goes into the body!
Most modern day Christians watch, listen to, eat and drink anything. This is the opposite of living the Holy life, as well as wearing what is hip and blending in. I don’t know about anyone else but I am convicted by today’s readings.
Thank you one year blog! Don’t know why I did not pick up these insights before.
I used to like blending in so that people think that Christianity is cool, but it is obvious to me now that it is actually the opposite! Christians are to be Holy beacons of light, love and change. In these last days, Holiness might just be the sought of evangelism that people need!
David
====== Bajo:
The book of Daniel inspired me so much when I was young that (with my wife’s consent) we named our first child after him.
Bajo
====== Joyce:
Mike and everyone,
Mike, thank you for your faithfulness in the One Year Bible Blog ministry.
This morning, i prayed that God will bless the faith and Gospel seeds sown from this ministry to grow and flourish in many people’s hearts.
Daniel 2:19 NASB
“19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven;”
i learned this morning from Dr. Gene Spurgeon’s sermon (First Southern Baptist Church), “The Power of Praise – Daniel 2:19-23” that –
Daniel’s first CONCLUSION to his crisis was to pray to the God of heaven.
His second CONCLUSION to his crisis was to praise the God of heaven.
The next four verses (2:20-23 NASB) are Daniel’s words of praise to God –
20 Daniel said,
“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.
22 “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him.
23 “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
For You have given me wisdom and power;
Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”
What a reminder – may our God teach us the importance to pray to Him and praise Him when we face different crisis in life.
Hebrews 13:15 NASB
“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.”
May God bless this One Year Bible Blog ministry,
may His Word bless everyone who reads it,
Joyce
====== Karen:
Daniel’s resolve and conviction is something of rarity today. It also related to the NT passage where Peter talked about having the mindset to suffer like Christ will put an end to our sin. But so often we are either afraid of men or simply lack the confidence to bear the suffering, thus we cave in to sins. May the Lord have mercy on us and continue to remind us and grant us strength to reject sins and do what is pleasing to Him.
Karen
====== Robert:
The Book O Daniel
Question: What do you want from this book? I think the timeless stories of Daniel and the Lions Den and the three being thrown into the furnace are a testament to all people, especially kids! We gotta question what kind of God is this?
Bob Deffinbaugh says, Daniel’s personal piety can challenge and inspire us in our walk with God. He shows us how to live a godly life in a fallen world.
A good overview of Daniel is on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/gxN5py6p_Bg?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent
I am looking forward to more understanding of Daniel’s visions of the future. I pray it will engage my emotions and imagination if it’s the Lord’s will. Chapters 7-10.
Robert
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