People in Exile - Future Past

Future Past
Daniel 11:2-20

When approaching this passage interpreters fall on one of two sides. Some view this passage as prophetic future telling. Others understand this text as prophetic historical interpretation. The former take hints from the text, believing that Daniel recounts the angelic visitation in the 6^th century. This visitation then shares a future known by God in which kings rise and fall and in which God’s people get caught in the middle of the machinations of political posturing. This view understands that God rules history and therefore can reveal His future purposes for His people as history unfolds. God is sovereign, revealing what is to come. In this way, God shows His lordship. God guides His people so that they might navigate the trials to come.[1]

Those who hold to the opinion that this angelic message retells the past understand that God speaks into a particular situation in order to offer hope and comfort for God’s people. Those with this view, believe that the author lives in the 2^nd century B. C., during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. In their opinion, the author of Daniel uses historical prophecy to remind those suffering under Antiochus IV Epiphanes that God is in control.  Those who hold to this view consider the accuracy of the prophetic words related by the angel. They theorize that if God knows the future this precisely then human action is predetermined. A deterministic God is not a God who honors free will. Therefore, they believe that the author of Daniel retells history in order to emphasize that God is in control.[2] God brought the people of God through the tumultuous times of the past. Therefore, God will sustain the people of God through the trial they face in the present.

As both groups of interpreters consider the time period presented, they agree remarkably regarding what kings and dynasties are spoken of by the angel. The message from the angel begins by talking about four kings who represent various kings of The Persian Empire, ending with King Xerxes the wealthy king. Verse 3 then announces a mighty king. This mighty king is Alexander the Great. Interesting that a person whom humanity declares as great only receives brief mention in Scripture. Perhaps that which humanity considers great is not truly great.

Following the unremarkable survey of Alexander, the angel speaks of various kings form the north and south. The places of the compass mentioned here are in relation to Palestine. This series of rulers represent the Seleucids in Syria and Ptolemies in Egypt. These two dynasties are focused on rather than the other two that emerged from Alexander’s reign because of their proximity to Palestine. The people of God were caught between these powers. The political machinations, broken treaties, losses and gains affected Israel.[3] Verses 5-12 explore a time period mainly dominated by the southern Ptolemaic dynasty in which a series of treaties and betrayals occur. During these events, Palestine plays the part of a pawn.

These political machinations eventually lead to the victory of Antiochus III of the Seleucids. This victory and the events of Antiochus III’s reign are summarized in verses 13-19. When this occurs, Palestine passes into the control of this northern dynasty. In his pride, Antiochus III attacked areas under the reign of Rome. Upon doing this, Rome responded and defeated Antiochus. In order to fund the war against Rome, Antiochus III would raid local temples and steal their sacred valuables.

Eventually Antiochus III dies and the dynasty passes to Seleucus IV. When Rome comes knocking, seeking tribute from the Seleucid ruler, Seleucus chooses to fund the tribute by seizing funds from the temple treasury in Jerusalem.[4] This occurs in verse 20.

This survey of the happenings from the reign of Xerxes through Seleucus highlights the futility of the actions of human rulers.[5] The actions of these rulers are futile in light of God’s presence in the midst of history. As time unfolds, God knows people’s actions and the motivations behind these actions. In the midst of this, God sustains His people. The fact that the angelic messenger reveals this time period to Daniel, reinforces the fact that God is sovereign, guiding the paths of history toward a conclusion in which God and the faithful live in holy relationship with one another. In the midst of all times, God blesses His people.

Both of the approaches to this text, outlined above, emphasize that God reigns as the pages of history turn. Whether a person believes that Daniel received this word from an angel before the actual events occurred or believes that the inspired author of Scripture used a parabolic motif in order to speak to events already past, all believers should find hope in the fact that God benefits and protects His people throughout the ravages of time. As kingdoms rise and fall and as rulers seek to use their power to their own benefit, God remains, faithfully upholding His own. This becomes even more obvious as the angel’s words continue into the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. God sustains the covenant people even as worldly powers seek to suppress them and the truth they stand for.

This should remind today’s rulers to submit to God. They should seek out God’s will, justice, and peace as they make decisions. Rulers should consider when their pride or selfish motivations interfere with the opportunity for God’s kingdom to enter into our world. In fact, all people should consider submitting to God so that God’s kingdom might reign in our lives, in our nations, and in our world.

All those who seek to faithfully follow God, whom God claims as His own, should find confidence in the fact that God reigns. As history progresses and cultures come up against the God designed way of living, the faithful need to stand firm! The covenant people need to commit to reflecting God and living out His peace, grace, faithfulness, and love in our world.

Prayer: Sovereign Lord, continue to remind us that you are Lord of all! As time progresses help all people come to acknowledge you as God. Help the faithful who suffer under oppression to know that you continue to reign. Help those who have become comfortable in aligning to the corrupt ways of our cultures to instead align ourselves with you. Direct our paths Lord, so that we might be people who reflect your wisdom. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen!

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[1] Sinclair B. Ferguson, The Preacher’s Commentary: Daniel. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1988), 298.

[2] D. S. Russell, Daniel. (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1981), 204.

[3] Dale Ralph Davis, The Message of Daniel. (Downers Grove: IVP, 2013), 185.

[4] Ibid., 190; Also, much fuller surveys of this history can be found in W. Sibley Towner, Interpretation: Daniel. Louisville: John Knox Press, 1983; Tremper Longman III, The NIV Application Commentary: Daniel. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999; William B. Nelson, Daniel. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2012.

[5] Davis, 190.

People in Exile - Ministrations in War

Ministrations in War
Daniel 10:4-11:1

Our culture uses wartime imagery to capture the conflict inherent in many aspects of life. For instance, we speak of battling diseases such as cancer. Residents of Pennsylvania are very familiar with the political term, battleground state, as Pennsylvania has become a boon sought by various political candidates. Society also struggles in a culture war in which various social groups seek to dominate the social order with their values, beliefs, and practices. Our world also struggles through real wars when people lay down their lives for a nation or a cause. All these wars and battles crush us, but behind them all lies a spiritual war in which God seeks to convince souls, communities, churches, and nations to truly commit to Him.

This spiritual war is what Daniel is all about. This war takes place behind the scenes of real life. Behind the exile, behind the manipulative courtiers in Babylon, behind idolatry, and behind brokenness and sorrow God fights on our behalf. Ultimately, God is victorious as seen in both the courtroom conflicts in Daniel 1-6 and in the apocalyptic texts in Daniel 7-12. The final three chapters emphasize this war. Daniel 10 serves as a prelude. It begins by illustrating the weapons we have at our disposal during war. These weapons are illustrated as Daniel abstains and fasts while in mourning.

Daniel 10 continues as a heavenly messenger appears above Daniel. The identity of this heavenly messenger is debated. Some have understood this figure to be a pre-incarnate version of the Messiah as symbolism here parallels the appearance of the Messiah in The Revelation of John. This is not likely due to the fact that the figure had to contend with the Prince of Persia, which delayed his appearance to Daniel. Others think this may be an angel such as Gabriel. While this is possible, we do not get a direct identity for the figure so all conjecture should be done carefully.[1] Some think there may be two figures represented in the text: a divine figure and an angelic figure. This idea comes from the fact that this vision has similarities to other Theophanies (visions of God) such as Ezekiel 1 or Isaiah 6. In those visions, God appears amongst angels who minister to the prophet in the midst of his calling. The initial being, who causes Daniel to faint, might be God or the pre-incarnate Messiah and then the one who touches Daniel and fought against the Prince of Persia might be Gabriel or another angel. While this is possible, there is no evidence that more than one heavenly figure is present. So we are left with a bit of a mystery regarding the identity of the heavenly being.[2]

Ultimately, the identity of the heavenly figure does not change the central thrust of the passage. In the detaining of the heavenly being by the Prince of Persia, there is a clear image of spiritual warfare. God or a servant of God has come into conflict with a spiritual being that fights on the side of those who do not seek to follow God’s purpose. This passage introduces this theme for the final pages of the book of Daniel.

In the midst of such spiritual battles, humans who seek to follow God face seemingly insurmountable odds. Daniel remains in exile, unable to return to The Promised Land. Those returning to The Promised Land remain under the rule of The Persian Empire and after that empire falls, they remain under the rule of other foreign powers. They face ridicule from neighbors, persecution, defaming of their sacred beliefs and places, and death.

Yet, as Daniel discovers, God and the heavenly host offer protection, compassion, and hope. The first indication of God’s caring for His servants in the midst of the spiritual battle occurs in the fact that the heavenly being comes to Daniel. God does not leave Daniel in his state of mourning. God enters in with His presence and a message of hope. In verse 12, the heavenly being states that Daniel set his mind toward gaining understanding. God sends a message so that Daniel will understand. When we are persistent in prayer, God hears and responds.

The second occurrence of God’s compassion comes in verse 10, right after Daniel experiences fear as the heavenly being speaks to him. Verse 9 informs us that Daniel listened and then fell into a deep sleep with his face to the ground. Terrifying responses to the presence of angels or dreams and visions that come from God commonly occur throughout the Scriptures. When confronted with the divine or a message from God, we should do nothing but fall in awe, fearing the wrath and power of God.

Upon experiencing this terror, something amazing happens for Daniel. A hand touches him and sets him up even as he trembles. God strengthens Daniel through this touch, encouraging Daniel to dwell in the presence of the holy.

God then displays compassion for Daniel in words of truth. These words lift Daniel higher, giving him renewed identity. The heavenly being declares Daniel as a highly esteemed man. The Hebrew phrase is two words, tvdmH wyx (is-hamudot). The first word means “man.” The second word is a noun which comes from the verbal root used in the 10^th commandment for “covet.” As a noun it can speak of one who is the beloved, the highly desired, or coveted.[3] God holds Daniel as precious. Daniel’s identity should be found in this knowledge: he is God’s dearly beloved, highly desired, coveted man! Each person is God’s dearly beloved, highly desired, coveted person! God knows our value! God desires to restore this value within us! In this we can find our identity! In this truth, God longs for a relationship with each and every person. In that relationship, God equips us to hear His message and share that message with the world.

As the visitation continues, God bolsters Daniel, giving him courage in the midst of his fear. In verse 15 we once again observe Daniel with his face to the ground because of the message the heavenly being has begun to deliver. One who looks like a man then touches Daniel on the lips, releasing Daniel’s speech. In this speech Daniel states, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. How can I your servant, talk with you lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly speak.” Just as Daniel admits his frailty, the one like a man touches Daniel again. Daniel receives supernatural strength. The heavenly being then encourages Daniel, reminding Daniel once again of the fact that he is highly beloved. Then the angel offers peace, declaring that Daniel is safe.

At this point, the heavenly being shares the message with Daniel. This is a message about war, about sorrow, about trial, and about conflict. Yet, Daniel can rest as he comes to understand this message because Daniel has received God’s compassion. Daniel knows that God, along with His armies, enters into the war. God does not leave us to fight alone. As God enters the war, He offers strength and courage. Daniel also knows that God loves him completely and desires him dearly. In this, Daniel can stand strong, in peace, even as the reality of war is declared.

As the battles of life overwhelm, we can know that God is present in the midst. When we experience hints of the spiritual warfare going on in our lives and world, we can know God’s tender touch of encouragement. When life crushes us, making us feel unloved, we can know that we are deeply desired by God, that He declares we are His beloved! When we lose faith because of the pressures from this world, we can know that God offers us courage, strength, and peace. We can all rest in God’s comfort, finding compassion in the midst of the war.

Prayer: Compassionate Father, you are here with us in the midst of the war. You never leave us to fight any battles alone. We might feel like we are losing the war, but you remain present, offering courage. We might wonder why it is worth fighting at all. Then you remind us that we are your beloved. You promise peace in the midst of the struggle. We thank you and praise you for your presence with your people! We thank you for loving us and drawing us into your compassion. In Christ’s holy name we pray, Amen!

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[1] William B. Nelson, Daniel. (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2012), 425.

[2] Tremper Longman III, The NIV Application Commentary: Daniel. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999), 247-250.

[3] Ibid., 249.

People in Exile - When We Mourn

When We Mourn
Daniel 10:1-3

At this point in his life, Daniel has dealt with much. He has been carted off to a foreign country and forced to serve a kingdom that does not honor God. He has seen friends tortured. He has dealt with the malicious actions of others because of his obedience to God. He has spent the night with lions. He has also had a number of dreams and visions that had disturbing, yet promise-leaden content. Yes, in all this, God has raised him to a position of prominence in a foreign land. Yet, the one thing he longs for has not come true. He remains in exile. At this point, in the third year of the reign of King Cyrus, many Hebrews have returned to Israel under the leadership of Ezra and his companions. Yet, Daniel still lives in Babylon, serving a foreign government.

Perhaps that is why he tells us at the start of chapter 10 that he mourns for three weeks. He seems overwhelmed, longing for answers from God. Why is he still unable to return home? In the midst of this mourning, Daniel chooses to abstain from the consuming of meat and wine. Abstaining from consuming certain foods was often a way of focusing one’s self in order to gain special hearing from the Lord.[1] He also uses no lotions. This is a particular way of showing grief in the Ancient Near East. Lotion was important for helping one look healthy in a dry and arid climate. When one did not use lotions, many would assume that the individual was experiencing a time of grief. In one’s grief, personal comfort and cleanliness was seen as inappropriate.[2] In addition to these actions, we know that Daniel also prayed. In 10:12, the angel tells Daniel that his words have been heard. This indicates that Daniel called out to God in prayer as he abstained and grieved.

In response to his life situation, Daniel chooses to take advantage of two means that God blesses his followers with. Abstaining from certain foods and praying, along with other means, are gifted to God’s people so that they might know God better and seek after God’s presence in their lives. In other apocalyptic books, such as 2 Esdras and 2 Baruch, servants of God often use these gifts from God to prepare themselves for God’s revelations. After prayer and abstention, God or a messenger from God often delivers a revelation, offering truth.[3] This is exactly what happens for Daniel.

Like Daniel, we all come to moments in life when we just do not understand what God is doing, moments when we mourn. Daniel remains in Babylon while many of his fellow Hebrews have returned home. We might look around us and notice that others seem to benefit from God’s blessings while we remain in the questions, while we remain in the doubts, while we continue to grieve, and while we feel left out of God’s promises. So we mourn. At these times, we need to look to Daniel’s example, seeking out God through the means which He provides.

It is likely in these moments that God is preparing us for some work on His behalf. God left Daniel in exile where he continued to live and serve in Babylon so that God might reveal truth to him through the angelic messenger. God then inspires Daniel to share God’s message through writing down what he sees and hears. In this time of exile, God enables Daniel to bless generations of people through the words of wisdom in these final chapters of the book that bears his name.

Know that God has a design for the situation you find yourself in. He uses our doubts, questions, frustrations, and times of exile to do mighty works within us. Then through God’s work in our lives, God enables us to bless others.

But, like Daniel, we need to seek God in the midst of our mourning. We need to take advantage of the means God provides. We need to abstain from things that distract us from seeking our God. Sometimes we need to abstain from normal patterns and foods so that when we long for those things we are reminded to seek God. We also need to pray. We need to sigh out our griefs to God so that God might enrich us in gracious compassion.

God provides many other means by which we can seek Him in the midst of our mourning. Reading, meditating upon, and studying Scripture delivers wisdom regarding God’s work throughout history. In Scripture we can discover the many people who sought God in the midst of doubt, heartache, brokenness, and exile. Gathering with God’s community to worship allows us to receive encouragement from others who know God. This also encourages us to remember and celebrate God’s works amongst the faithful community. Serving our neighbors and giving generously will remind us that God does indeed use us and those things God provides even when we feel useless. These means, among others, will assist us in seeking God and understanding the mighty work that God desires to do through us.

As we seek God, He might not send immediate solutions to our aches. Daniel sought God for three weeks before the angel appeared. This period of seeking and grieving could have been much longer. In the midst of our waiting we must use the means God provides to faithfully pursue God. After all, God faithfully pursues us. In the midst of our waiting God will faithfully equip us for the mighty work of serving Him.

Prayer: Ever Present God, you uphold your people at all times. Lord, in those moments when you seem distant, in those moments when we struggle with doubt, in those moments when life overwhelms, and in those moments when we mourn, remind us to seek after you. We thank you that you never leave us alone, but that you have provided gifts of grace so that we might pursue you and know you better even in the midst of our darkest moments. Thank you God! In the grace of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen!

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[1] Tremper Longman III, The NIV Application Commentary: Daniel. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999), 247.

[2] Ibid.

[3] D. S. Russell, Daniel. (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1981), 194.

People in Exile - In the Midst of the Hopeless

In the Midst of the Hopeless
Daniel 9:20-27

We suddenly find out that we or a loved one has a terminal diagnosis. A parent that we hold dear, who has lived a long and blessed life leaves behind this mortal coil. We discover unfaithful actions of one whom we thought loved us. A child breaks our heart through wrong choices, making us question our parenting. Addiction grabs ahold and we cannot let it go. Life often presents us with hopeless situations. It is into these types of situations that apocalyptic passages in Scripture can speak to us most. After all, they are written in the midst of exile or persecution or times of moral corruption or as the religious community faces possible extermination.

The brief passage that follows Daniel’s prayer of confession speaks hope into the hopeless situation faced by Israel. It can also speak hope into the hopeless situations of our lives. After approaching Yahweh, the person upon whom we all should focus in prayer; after taking a posture in which Daniel turns his body and mind towards Yahweh; and after discovering that the purpose of prayer is to develop deeper relationship with God, Daniel receives a visit from Gabriel who brings a revelation from God. The messenger angel has come to share with him further understanding concerning the 70 days that Daniel meditated upon from the writings of his fellow prophet, Jeremiah. Scripture inspired Daniel to pray. The prayer led Daniel to some unexpected answers.  It is interesting how earnest prayer can often lead to unexpected answers.

Daniel’s unexpected answers come as Gabriel reinterprets the 70 days. This reinterpretation applies the 70 days to more than just Daniel’s generation. Days of trial and eventual restoration apply to future generations as well. Gabriel informs Daniel that the 70 days represent seventy sevens. It is likely that this number represents 70 weeks of years (70 series of 7 days where each week equals a year – in other words 490 years). This idea of a week representing a year could have come from Greek culture. The concept may have also come from Leviticus where God speaks of punishing Israel sevenfold for their sins, indicating a period of seventy times seven years.[1] Ultimately, what the number represents does not matter. Gabriel’s message declares that exile, desolation, and other forms of hopelessness occur in the midst of life as God’s plan unfolds. Upon its completion, God’s plan will bring these things to an end. Numerology within apocalyptic literature is used to puzzle through troubling times, fostering faith and courage.[2] The numbers reinforce that God is in control even in the midst of the questions, doubt, and pain.

At the conclusion of these seventy sevens, transgression will be finished, sin will end, atonement for wickedness will occur, everlasting righteousness will come, vision and prophecy will be sealed, and the Most Holy Place will be anointed. As the promised end arrives, God cancels the evil which humanity perpetuates. As the promised end arrives, God brings restoration, healing, and blessing for the people. In short, God brings shalom, as originally intended for all creation.

For Daniel and the exilic community, the angelic message declares hope that exile will cease and they will return to The Promised Land. Future receivers of this promise can know that God exists in the midst of any suffering. Those who read this word during the reprehensible acts of Antiochus IV Epiphanes would have known that God promises deliverance for the faithful. Those who read this during the incursion of the Roman Empire into Israel would have known that God has a plan for his covenant people. Yet, none of them would know the fullness of God’s cancelation and restoration. God does offer reprieve during hopeless situations, but the fullness of this promise did not come true for the exilic community or for other groups who have experienced hopelessness through the ages.

The ultimate victory revealed in the message from Gabriel only comes true through the advent of the Messiah. The acts of Jesus on behalf of all people provide for the end of wickedness and the blessing of everlasting righteousness. When Christ died upon the cross he took upon himself the wrath of God so that we might experience forgiveness for sins. In His willing sacrifice, Christ finishes our transgression against God. At the cross, Christ also provides the path toward righteousness. Jesus’ actions upon the cross do provide final victory, but the fullness of that victory will not be realized until Jesus returns, establishing the kingdom of God forever. In this victory, all that seeks to bring desolation upon the earth and upon God’s people will come to an end!

In the meantime, we often find ourselves in the midst of hopeless situations. We face the moral depravity of our society and of individuals we hold dear. We struggle beneath our own addictions and destructive choices. We deal with the sickness and death of those we hold dear. We stare our own mortality in the face. We know that God’s victory is not complete and we long for that victory. Yet, we can rest in the fact that Christ has come, fulfilling the promise of God’s putting an end to sin, atoning for our wickedness, and bringing righteousness into our lives and world. In knowing that God has fulfilled that promise, we can also know that he will bring an end to all that is broken and destructive in our world. At the end of God’s proscribed time, the faithful will know victory. In this we hope even in the midst of the hopeless.

Prayer: Victorious God, we thank you for the redemption you provide through your son, Jesus Christ. In Him, you fulfill the promises you made through your prophets. While all those promises have not become reality, we wait in hope, knowing that you keep your word. Help us discover that hope anew in each seemingly hopeless situation. Help us to trust you more fully each day as we await your final victory. In Christ’s precious name we pray, Amen!

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[1] D. S. Russell, Daniel. (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1981), 183.

[2] Tremper Longman III, The NIV Application Commentary: Daniel. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999), 127-128.

People in Exile - Person, Posture, and Purpose

Person, Posture, and Purpose
Daniel 9:1-19

In Daniel 9, Daniel offers a prayer. This prayer has deep significance for the people in exile. This prayer is inspired as Daniel reflects on words written by his fellow prophet Jeremiah, words that declare a return to The Promised Land after 70 years of exile. The prayer may seem out of place amongst the apocalyptic passages surrounding it, but the prayer is integral to understanding how the people of God should approach times of exile, looking for hope in the midst of the hopeless. As we seek to understand this prayer, we will discover the person of prayer, the posture of prayer, and the purpose of prayer.

Before Daniel actually starts praying, he announces the person of prayer, the one upon whom prayer should focus. Daniel tells us, he prayed to the Lord my God. Lord is a translation of the Hebrew word YHWH. These four consonants, known as the tetragrammaton, are often written out as Yahweh, identifying the Lord of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is only in the context of this prayer that the author of Daniel uses this name.[1] The person to whom Daniel prays and to whom we should address our prayers is the one true God, who shows Himself as grace giver and covenant keeper. This name connects Daniel and all who call upon this name to the God involved in history, to the God who seeks relationship with people, to the God who keeps promise with the people.

Yahweh is the God of the covenant. The Hebrew word for covenant is tyrb (berit). This is a legal expression for a relationship where commitments are made by multiple parties. These commitments are then upheld by the law. It is best understood as a political treaty. In Hebrew understanding, God is the king who enters into a political treaty with his servant people Israel.[2] The prayer that Daniel offers is founded on this covenant relationship. The prayer depends on the God of mercy who will keep covenant even though the servant people, Israel, have broken covenant.

Yahweh is the person upon whom Daniel’s prayer must focus. This prayer is meaningless except in the fact that Daniel turns to the true God, the covenant keeping God, the God who can renew the covenant even though the other party in the covenant failed. Even in sending the people into exile, God upheld the covenant, as it originally stipulated negative consequences if Israel breaks the covenant. These negative consequences can be found in Deuteronomy 27-28. God keeps covenant in the midst of the people’s obedience and rebellion. This speaks to God’s pursuit of his servant people in relationship at all moments. Daniel turns to Yahweh, understanding that restoration is in God’s hands.

As Daniel comes to God, he comes in a particular posture. He turns to God. This may be a way of stating that Daniel literally faced in the direction of Jerusalem, but it is definitely a statement of Daniel’s attitude. This action, along with the prayer itself, declares that Daniel knows he along with all of Israel has rebelled against God. So, he must humbly turn to God, seeking out God’s forgiveness and acts of restoration. Further actions announce Daniel’s humble posture. Daniel fasts and dons sackcloth and ashes, indicating his sorrow and grief over the state of Israel in exile.

The content of Daniel’s prayer reveals the purpose of prayer. The prayer begins with praise declaring God as awesome and elucidating God’s quality as the faithful God who keeps covenant out of love. God is the God who holds his people responsible to the covenant, but God is also the God who loves more deeply than any can fathom. In this love, redemption and restoration occur. Daniel bases his prayer of repentance upon the fact of God’s love and commitment to the covenant.

The prayer continues, confessing Israel’s failure to keep covenant. Notice that Daniel offers a corporate confession. The entire community is guilty of breaching the covenant so Daniel brings the entire community before God. Daniel uses five different ideas to emphasize the community’s failure: sin, wrongs, wickedness, rebellion, and turning away. Daniel then, as a way of contrast with Israel’s complete failure, declares God as righteous. Israel’s failure compounded by God’s righteousness emphasizes the full extent of the brokenness that exists in the relationship between Israel and their God. Daniel admits that the exile is due to this brokenness. The exile is just punishment. The curses and punishments written out in the law of Moses, as found in Deuteronomy, are the judgement the people now face.

After exploring the breached covenant and subsequent just punishment, Daniel entreats God to restore Israel into relationship with God and also to The Promised Land. This entreaty is based on God’s attributes and historical interaction with Israel. The God Daniel speaks to has previously delivered the people of Israel from oppression in Egypt. God is the God who frees the oppressed and releases the slaves. If God is consistent in His person, then He must return the people from exile. God continuously performs righteous acts, enacting justice based on his mercy. If God is true to His righteous character, He will bring about justice for those in exile, returning them to their home. Daniel knows this, praying accordingly. Finally, Daniel asks God to end the exile for God’s sake. In this, Daniel seeks to remind God of His character. As the Lord of the covenant, as the Lord of love, as the Lord of righteousness God must act and send the Israelites home. In God’s action on behalf of the covenant people, many nations will know that God is true to His character. In restoring the people to The Promised Land, the rest of the world will know the integrity of the God of Israel. All these words of Daniel reveal that the purpose of prayer is to draw the people of God into relationship with God.

Those awaiting God’s promise and action in their lives and their world should be people of prayer. Those in prayer must direct their prayer toward Yahweh, resting in the truth of God’s character as the keeper of covenant love. Our prayer toward Yahweh should be done in the correct posture: in honest repentance. As the faithful pray, we should begin by acknowledging God’s character, we should begin in praise, lifting up the many attributes He has proved over and over. Then we should take an honest look at why we might be in a place of waiting. Did we perhaps, like Israel, break covenant with our God? Is God in some way directing us back to him because we have done wrong? We need to admit to our failure. Then we must confess to the fact that our rebellion in the midst of God’s righteousness leads to exile.

God desires restoration. God has a plan for restoration. This restoration for each of us finds its basis in God’s character as the loving, grace-filled, covenant keeping God. In the truth of His character, God draws us back into His presence. In calling on God’s name, we can know God, reconciled to Him. We should all be people of prayer. We need to focus our prayer on Yahweh, the person of prayer. We need to have the correct posture when we pray, orienting ourselves toward God’s presence and guidance. We then need to discover the purpose of prayer, that of being restored to a vital relationship with our God.

Prayer: Covenant Keeping Lord, we thank you for proving your love to us over and over as you free the slave, return the exile, and restore the sinner to righteousness! You also prove your love to us in the gift of prayer. Through this gift we can seek you and live in relationship with you. Draw us deeper into that relationship as we confess to you our wrongs. Bring us into the fullness of your forgiveness so that we might know you better. We pray all this, in Christ’s holy name, Amen!

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[1] Tremper Longmann III, The NIV Application Commentary: Daniel. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999), 223.

[2] Ibid., 231-234.

People in Exile - Throwing the Truth to the Ground

Throwing the Truth to the Ground
Daniel 8:1-27

Truth: What is truth? Truth is in the eye of the beholder. My truth is my truth and your truth is your truth. Your truth is alright with me as long as I do not have to believe that your truth is the truth. Much of this forms the rhetoric of our society as we embrace pluralism and do our best not to judge what others think. Abdu Murray in “Saving Truth” points out that when postmodernism emerged as the new philosophy of society in the 1970s it did so with its defining goal as the rejection of objective truth. Murray goes on to point out that this philosophy has become outdated because it is ultimately incoherent. This is due to the fact that any denial of an objective truth must be an objective truth if it is to be meaningful. So, we have emerged into a post-truth society. This society does not deny objective truth, but declares that objective truth is subordinate to personal preferences.[1]

Having this as a dominant motif within our society has made it difficult to claim and proclaim the truth of Scripture. In many ways, our society has thrown the truth declared in Scripture on the ground. Society claims that it is acceptable for an individual to embrace Scripture as truth, but if another individual does not prefer this truth they can ignore it, following their own preference. We cannot force another to embrace the truth of the Gospel, but at least it used to be acceptable to proclaim it. This shift has made it so that the truth of the Gospel does not even matter. It is irrelevant.

Daniel 8 is not about the 21^st century and our post-truth milieu, but the struggle depicted in Daniel 8 echoes down through the centuries. The vision seen in Daniel 8, along with its interpretation, helps us understand God’s work even as God’s truth is thrown on the ground in disrespect. Even though society claims the Gospel as irrelevant, today it remains more relevant than ever.

In Daniel 8, Daniel relays to us a vision. This vision, similar to the dream in chapter 7 depicts various animals, which we discover, along with Daniel, each represent various kings and earthly powers. What makes this vision different than the previous dream, other than that Daniel labels it a vision, are three significant facts. First, in the vision, Daniel is taken to Susa, which, from Daniel’s standpoint, is a minor city located outside of the Babylonian Empire. This places Daniel in a foreign context and near the center of a future power. This prepares Daniel and those of us made privy to his vision to understand that this vision does not concern Babylon, but future political entities.[2] Second, the vision is interpreted by Gabriel, the messenger angel of God. This is the first place in canonical Scripture when an angel’s name is revealed. God uses this intermediary to deliver truth. Third, Gabriel’s interpretation is very specific regarding the identities of the animals. From this specific interpretation, the identities of the horns which emerge from the beasts can easily be extrapolated.

Gabriel identifies the two-horned ram as the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat represents the kings of Greece. The first horn on the goat is a mighty king, presumably Alexander the Great. The four horns that replace the single horn are four lesser kings, likely representing Alexander’s powerful generals, the Diadochi. The final horn emerges out of one of those four horns. This horn represents the 2^nd century BC ruler, Antiochus IV Epiphanes.[3]

There are two primary ways of understanding how this vision could be so specific. The first believes that this vision did indeed come to the prophet Daniel in the 6^th century BC, very specifically foretelling that which happens on the world stage between the time of Daniel up until and including the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The other presents an opinion in which God does not so specifically lay out the future in visions. Instead, this view holds that the writer of Daniel created a fictional account, writing of events that occur in his lifetime and attaching them to a vision given to a 6^th century prophet. This view has an understanding of prophecy and apocalyptic that speaks directly to the audience to whom it is written. Neither view discounts the validity of the Biblical message. They just have different ways of understanding how truth is revealed.

That said, both views regarding this prophetic vision believe that the final horn emerging from the head of the goat is Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This Greek ruler established himself as completely wicked.[4] During his reign in Palestine he ordered the cessation of temple sacrifices and placed an idol of Zeus within the temple.[5] Under his rule the law of God was taken from Israel. The practice of circumcision, the reading of the law, the ownership of documents containing the law, and the observance of sacrifices and festivals were all forbidden.[6] There is no specific incident where Antiochus IV Epiphanes threw the truth on the ground, but such an action is certainly symbolized in his policies. The truth of God’s word was not respected and in fact was denied.

Yet, the words of Gabriel declare the theme of the book of Daniel once again. God is sovereign, ultimately protecting and delivering the righteous. The horn, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who takes action against the Prince of princes will be destroyed, but not by human power. This is not a prophecy about the end of all things, but about the end of the tyranny brought on by this specific corrupt human power. God promises victory even as his people suffer. Prophecy attests to this. History attests to this. This prophecy does not have to be about us. In fact, the prophecy is not about us. Yet the message it declares does apply to us.

God’s truth remains! Kings, like Antiochus IV Epiphanes, may seek to destroy it. Moral relativism and claims that the truth of the Gospel is not absolute may try to belittle it. Personal preference may try to declare truth as irrelevant. But God’s truth remains. God remains sovereign! God remains the keeper of promises! God remains the rescuer! God remains the restorer of righteousness! God remains as the giver of grace! God remains love!

Prayer: Sovereign Lord, your truth remains forever! Thanks you! We pray that our world might acknowledge this truth and come to understand that those who stand in your truth experience deliverance and the fullness of love. We pray that those who believe your truth might stand strong, proclaiming your truth even as the world throws it down, claiming it as irrelevant. Bless us in your grace! In Christ’s name we pray, Amen!

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[1] Abdu Murray, Saving Truth. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018), 14.

[2] Tremper Longman III., The NIV Application Commentary: Daniel. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 203.

[3] Ibid., 206.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid., 206-207.

[6] D. S. Russell, Daniel. (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1981), 146.

People in Exile - Overcoming the Beasts

Overcoming the Beasts
Daniel 7:1-28

The second half of the book of Daniel is remarkably different from the first half. In the first half, Daniel and his friends encounter life in exile. They live in the Babylonian Empire, faithfully serving God in a culture that frequently encourages hostility toward God. The second half of this book tells the same story, but behind the scenes. Through a series of dreams and visions, Daniel reveals the cosmic conflict that exists between good and evil, while declaring that God is sovereign.

The genre of this second half of Daniel has come to be called Apocalyptic Literature. Paul D. Hanson in “Old Testament Apocalyptic” helps us think about this genre. He explains that these writings foster hope in the lives of those facing crisis through a series of visions or dreams of a prototypical heavenly order revealed through a religious seer. These visions and dreams seek to declare God’s reign in the midst of trial, announcing God’s ultimate victory as sovereign over all things, particularly those things that threaten life and the community of God followers.[1]

With this in mind, let us explore the hope declared in Daniel 7. The message of hope speaks directly to Daniel and his community as he receives the vision. It also speaks directly to those who follow in the legacy of Daniel and the exilic community as those following after the Lord of all things.

The dream of Daniel 7 begins with four winds churning up the great sea. That this dream takes place by the sea is significant. In Ancient Near Eastern mythology, the sea often represented chaos and those things opposed to God’s order.[2] This can be seen in Genesis 1 when God’s spirit hovers over the waters, eventually bringing the order of creation to that which has no order. This can also be seen in other Ancient Near Eastern creation myths such as the Mesopotamian creation story where the god Marduk, who brings order to the world, must defeat the goddess of the sea, Tiamat. Even the Canaanites have a creation story in which the sea must be tamed.[3] The sea symbolizes a threat to ordered existence under the God who creates all things.

From this sea emerges four beasts, who we are told represent four kings. Similar to the interpretations of the dream in Daniel 2, many scholars have opinions regarding what four kings are represented here. Other than the first beast, that which is like a lion with the wings of an eagle, being identified with Babylon, we truly cannot know who is represented by the other three beasts. They are kings, hostile to the work of God, that emerge from the chaos of the sea. They are perversions of God’s creation. This can be seen in their diverse and twisted forms. In their hubris, these kings all seek to have sovereignty over the world, failing to acknowledge the true sovereign, God, the creator of heaven and earth. These kings represent evil powers of this world who seek to destroy earnest followers of God through their pride, idolatry, and blasphemy.

Into this broken reality, this reality filled with kings who threaten God’s order and God’s people comes another scene. A throne room emerges. Sitting on the throne is one called The Ancient of Days. This title points us toward God, whom we know from chapter 6 as the one that endures forever. The eternal one sits upon the throne!

This vision reminds us of The Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple pointed to God’s throne room with The Ark of the Covenant representing God’s throne. That this vision recalls The Temple would give great comfort to those in exile. They felt that with The Temple destroyed God might no longer offer His comforting presence for His people. This vision would ensure that, even though there is no physical Temple, God remains as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Around the throne sit many other thrones, giving the picture of an ancient court room. Then around these thrones thousands upon thousands attend The Ancient of Days. These others in the scene serve The Ancient of Days. Service is another way of understanding worship. When we worship we are in service to God. These thousands upon thousands who populate the throne room worship the King of kings.

God victoriously breaks into the scene previously dominated by the four beasts. God pronounces judgement and reintroduces order into the chaos. God overcomes the powers that threaten the righteous ones. God establishes His authority. God draws people out of exile, inviting them into His promise and His victory!

One more being enters the scene, identified as one like a son of man. Who is this? This term should be understood as a reference to the people of God. God will deliver the faithful in Israel from their enemies.[4] They will rule in an eternal kingdom set up by God at the defeat of those powers that threaten God’s created ideal with chaos.

Daniel may or may not have understood this figure to also represent the individual figure of the coming Messiah. He did understand that this figure represents the ideal, righteous follower(s) of the one true God. No one else, but Jesus, truly lives a righteous life. Certainly, Jesus himself understood his role as the righteous one sent to represent and redeem God’s people and establish the Kingdom of God. He repeatedly referenced himself as the son of God. In this, Jesus took on the role of authority, glory and sovereign power. Therefore, all nations and peoples of every language will come to worship Him. Jesus fulfills the role of the son of man, now reigning at the right hand of God the Father. His kingdom will certainly never end!

Overall, this vision reinforces the truth that God is sovereign, He is in control and has a design for deliverance for those experiencing exile. God will overcome the forces of chaos in the world through judgement from his throne. God will also overcome the forces of chaos through one like a son of man whose dominion is everlasting. This all came true through the suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. Through Jesus, God judges the forces of chaos in our world, including our own destructive habits. Through Jesus, God provides deliverance, freeing those who believe from the forces of chaos, both those beasts which rise within ourselves and those beasts in the world systems.

To God be the glory! In His sovereignty, God overcomes the chaos and brings about his kingdom, which will never end!

Prayer: Sovereign Lord, in your love you create and maintain the universe. In that maintenance, you seek to heal that which humanity has broken. We ask that you would enter into our chaos and bring peace. We need you Lord to come in victory, restoring all things to your design. Transform us as you see fit so that we might be your agents of peace amidst this chaos. May your kingdom come in fullness! In Christ’s holy name we pray, Amen!

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[1] Paul D. Hanson, Old Testament Apocalyptic. (Nashville: Abingdon, 1987), 27-28.

[2] Tremper Longman III, The NIV Application Commentary: Daniel. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999), 182.

[3] Ibid, 181-182.

[4] D. S. Russell, Daniel. (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1981), 126.

People in Exile - The Living, Enduring Rescuer

The Living, Enduring Rescuer
Daniel 6:26-28

Throughout Scripture, many people express worship to God. From the Psalms to the song sung by Mariam in Exodus 15 to the beautiful praise poem Paul shares in Philippians 2:5-11, the Scriptures offer worship to God. Worship takes on many forms. In the Psalms alone there are laments, songs of wisdom, prayers, thanksgivings, and songs of pilgrimage.

The first six chapters of Daniel conclude with a praise poem in the form of an edict. King Darius has seen the work of God on behalf of Daniel and calls everyone in Babylon to fear and reverence the God of Daniel. In this decree, Darius recognizes the authority and power of God, asking the rest of the Babylonian community to join him in this recognition.

In “Ancient-Future Worship,” Robert E. Webber declares that “worship does God’s story.”[1] In order to define what he means by this, Webber speaks of worship as proclaiming, singing, and enacting the Good News that God saves sinners and involves Himself in the world.[2] So fundamental to worship is that fact that it tells of God’s story with humanity and how God interacts with humans out of grace and love. Worship is declaring allowed the Gospel message so that people can celebrate the one true God who expresses love for humanity throughout history. Worship declares the truth of God to a world weary from life apart from God. Worship celebrates the actions of God among His people.

The poem of worship that makes up the majority of Darius’ decree does this. Darius invites others to know God. Our worship should invite others to know God. Darius then exposes the people to the truths that he has come to realize regarding God. In exposing these truths, Darius invites the people to know God, become involved in God’s story, and celebrate God.

The first truth that Darius exposes is that Daniel’s God is the living God. This brief statement contrasts God with the idols.[3] Rather than being like an idol – just a stone statue or a piece of wood – God lives! God not only exists, but is active in the world. God involves Himself in human history. This is seen in the six narratives that make up the first half of the book of Daniel. These six narratives consistently reveal that God is in control and that God is sovereign over all kings and all peoples.  These six narratives show that, even though God’s people live in exile, God is intimately involved in their lives, guiding their steps, providing wisdom and courage. The ultimate example of God’s entrance into history is the Christ event. In Jesus, God enters into our world, walks among us, and dies so that we might know the life that God intends. Declaring God’s living presence in the world should be fundamental to our worship.

The second truth that Darius exposes is that Daniel’s God is enduring and that His kingdom will not be destroyed. God is timeless.[4] God is eternal. God’s love for humanity has no beginning and no end! God’s love for each one of us has no beginning and no end! God is forever faithful! We can depend on the fact that God consistently enters into our situation, into our exile, into our pain, into our fear and offers Himself. He does this for the four Hebrew heroes in the book of Daniel as he raises them up in the courts of Babylon, as he stands with them in the fire, and as he shuts the mouths of lions. God consistently comes into the midst of life, offering His unchanging love and grace. We can always depend on Him to do this as He remains forever.

The third truth that Darius exposes is that Daniel’s God delivers and rescues. In declaring this, Darius uses two Aramaic terms that seem to express much the same thing: deliverance and rescue. He may be doing this for emphasis, using the Ancient Near Eastern poetic expression of parallelism to emphasize this action of God. By using two parallel terms, Darius declares with increasing intensity that God sets people free. This accentuates the truth of God’s actions on behalf of Daniel, literally rescuing him from the devouring lions. Just as the parallel expression of repeated ideas in deliver and rescue emphasize God’s action of protecting Daniel from the lions so the poetic expression of parallelism emphasizes a consistent aspect of God’s personality. Throughout history, God always delivers. God delivers Abraham and Sarah from the shame of barrenness. God delivers the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. God delivers David from the wrath of King Saul. God delivers all people from the just punishment deserved for our sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord. God is our rescuer!

Let us join together in worship, celebrating! Let us join together in worship, declaring aloud God’s story! God is the living God, active in our world, in our history, in our lives! God seeks relationship with each person, inviting us into His story, forgiving us so that we might be reconciled to Him. This enables us to live in God’s plan, knowing Him fully. God is the enduring God, His sovereignty continues forever! God faithfully loves! God faithfully serves! God faithfully offers grace! God’s kingdom lasts forever and all are invited to be citizens within that kingdom! God rescues and delivers, setting us free from that which entraps! God came into our world, into our history out of love and took on our death! In this action God releases us, freeing us to live as we should. In this freedom we love. In this freedom we seek justice. In this freedom we grow in right living. Thanks be to God! Let us worship together our living, enduring God who rescues us from all that entraps.

Prayer: Ever Living God, I thank you for being active in my world and my life. You enter into the story of our lives so that you might rescue us. In this act, you invite us into your grand story and into the most beneficial relationship we can have, a relationship with you! I pray that my acts of worship would be honest, that in proclaiming you others would know the truth of my story. Then, in knowing that truth they would come to know you! I pray these things in Christ’s precious name, Amen!

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[1] Robert E. Webber, Ancient-Future Worship. (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2008), 29.

[2] Ibid., 40.

[3] D. S. Russell, Daniel. (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1981), 109.

[4] W. Sibley Towner, Interpretation: Daniel. (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1984), 88.

People in Exile - That Which Roars and Devours

That Which Roars and Devours
Daniel 6:1-25

Daniel and the Lion’s Den is likely the most well-known story from the book of Daniel. Many Sunday School hallways or classrooms have murals or illustrations of this popular story. Many teachers have used flannel boards to present the tension in this tale. Something about a man surviving a night with lions fascinates us. Why is this?

Perhaps it is because of the nature of lions. My daughter, who is quite the animal enthusiast, informs me that the roar of a male lion can be heard from 5 miles away. In addition, lions have been known to eat 90 pounds of meat in one sitting, but typically only about 11 pounds a day. These cats intimidate, fascinate, and fill our imaginations. In many ways, the lion has become a part of our cultural narrative signifying that which frightens and overwhelms. With its intimidating roar and voracious appetite perhaps we can understand why.

In Daniel 6 there are more than lions that seek to devour. Upon Daniel’s elevation to a position just below that of the king, the other administrators and satraps become jealous. Their jealousy devours them to the point where they look for ways to entrap Daniel. Unfortunate for them, Daniel is trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Daniel stands strong. He is a person of deep convictions. He knows that the morality birthed in Him as a servant of God must permeate all that he does. Therefore, he approaches his responsibilities in Babylon as a service to God, seeking to honor God as he honors people.

Since the administrators and satraps could not find anything in Daniel’s behavior and lifestyle as case to entrap him, they create a trap. They approach King Darius, challenging the king to make a proclamation that the people of Babylon should only pray to the king. Anyone who violates this law will be thrown in the lion’s den. They know that this will bring Daniel into conflict with the law because of his obedience and commitment to God. King Darius finds this idea appealing so he makes the law. Daniel’s competitors have him!

Daniel learns of the law. He continues his daily routine of praying three times each day while facing Jerusalem. This routine shows his commitment to God as he hopes in God’s promise to restore the people of Israel to The Promised Land.[1] Even though Daniel lives in exile, his faith finds strength in the truth of God’s promises. In earnest faith, Daniel chooses to violate the new law, giving thanks to God.

So the administrators and satraps have trapped him. They go to King Darius, revealing Daniel’s violation. The king is obliged to follow through and cast Daniel into the lion’s den. While there is very little documented evidence that Persian law was considered immutable, the practice seemed assumed. The book of Esther actually attests to this understanding of edicts made into law by the king. It appears that laws and decrees were seen in the same light as vows and oaths in the Ancient Near East. Once pronounced they could not be altered.[2] Darius was tied to the law as was Daniel. So, with great regret, Darius throws Daniel into the lion’s den. Darius wishes for God to rescue Daniel.

After a restless night, King Darius comes to the lion’s den and calls out to Daniel. Miraculously Daniel returns his call. In his reply, Daniel declares the first of two reasons why Daniel is spared: “I was found innocent in his (God’s) sight.” The second reason is given by the narrator in verse 23: he (Daniel) had trusted in his God. These are the two reasons for Daniel’s deliverance: his blameless behavior and his trust in God. Daniel’s faith roared inside him through his right actions and trust in God!

In this, Daniel’s life choices echo those of his companions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. All these men, in facing exile and death, continue living right and trusting in God. Yes, these men experience deliverance through God’s hand in response to their faithfulness. For none of them is this deliverance guaranteed. Daniel did not know, as he knelt by the window to pray that God would certainly deliver. Yet, he knelt, being faithful to God, trusting that God would restore the people of Israel to The Promised Land.

Daniel also continually acted without corruption as he served a government that continually refused to commit to the true God. In this, we see Daniel’s true character! Daniel is a man of God that allows that reality to permeate his entire life, even in a culture that is often hostile to the very God he worships.

Does your faith in God permeate your life? Can you honestly say that you consistently act with no corruption when doing business? Are you someone whom others see as trustworthy as you associate with them at your place of work and in your home? Does your faith roar or whimper in the face of challenges? Do you bravely pray to God even when those surrounding you do not have faith? Do you declare your trust in God even in those places where it is discouraged?

In this life, we often face figurative lions: those in our society who seek to tear down our faith and those who muddle Scriptural truth – mixing it with socially acceptable messages or with selfish motivations. It is in the presence of those lions when we, like Daniel, need to continue faithfully living without corruption, faithfully kneeling down in prayer, and faithfully trusting our God who promises restoration and ultimately deliverance from death.

Prayer: Trustworthy God, you remain faithful. Your actions continually prove to us that you keep your promises. Please help me to remain faithful in you. As I face the daily routines of life and associate with neighbors, coworkers, and family strengthen me in your grace. May I be a person who acts without corruption and may people find me trustworthy. May I faithfully seek you and serve you! In Jesus Christ’s holy name, Amen!

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[1] Tremper Longman III, The NIV Application Commentary: Daniel. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999), 161.

[2] W. Sibley Towner, Interpretation: Daniel. (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1984), 82.