CHAPTER 1
Daniel a Captive in Babylon
Daniel authored his book in the 6th century. The theme of thisprophetic book is, "God is in Control." Daniel was among the Hebrewcaptives taken to Babylon by king Nebuchadnezzar, when he overthrewJerusalem.
The prophecies of Daniel thus provide a divinely constructedbridge from the precipice of time to the boundless shores ofeternity a bridge over which those who, like Daniel, purpose intheir hearts, to serve God.
The historical section of the book of Daniel reveals, in the moststriking manner, the true philosophy of history. This sectionstands as a preface to the prophetic section. By providing adetailed account of God's dealings with one nation, Babylon,the book enables us to understand the meaning of the rise andfall of other nations out lined in the portion of the book.
The philosophical and historical component of the book of Danielmake it easy to understand the story, as it relates to the meaning of therise and fall of other nations as revealed in the book. Without this clearunderstanding, the role of Babylon and succeeding nations in the divineplan, cannot be fully understood or appreciated.
History shows Daniel facing the wise heathen king Nebuchadnezzar,monarch of the most powerful nation of the time. In Jeremiah 27:6, Godcalled Nebuchadnezzar His servant. He also called other heathen rulers toperform His will; among whom were the Persian kings Darius and Cyrus.(More detailed account in later chapters.) Little did Daniel know that hehad a part to play in God's divine plan. He was to play that pivotal role insecuring the submission of the king's will to the will of God, to make thedivine will of God possible.
God needed a loyal one in the court of Babylon who would be a truerepresentative of the principles and policies of heaven. Daniel was the man.The circumstances that brought about Daniel a Hebrew captive, to thefavorable attention of the king of Babylon, was providential. Furthermore,the fact that the king came to acknowledge Daniel first and then his God,indicates God's plan to use humans in accomplishing His work on earththrough human agents.
God could use Daniel because he was a man of impeccable character,a man whose primary business was to honor God. Daniel 1:8 says "Danielpurposed in his heart" ... and God allowed him to find favor in the eyesof the officials of Babylon. This decision on Daniel's part paved the wayfor the demonstration of physical and intellectual superiority. God gavehim and his friends wisdom, skill and knowledge in all learning. Theseattributes made them "ten times better" than their rivals in personality,physique and intellect, and thereby won the respect and confidence ofNebuchadnezzar.
The succeeding events of chapters 2, 3 and 4, brought Nebuchadnezzarto acknowledge the inferiority of humans. He declared, "Of a truth itis that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealerof secrets." When brought before the king as one who could interpretdreams, Daniel acknowledged God as the revealer of secrets.
Do not miss opportunities to witness for the hope in Jesus, give Himthe praise and acknowledgements for battles fought and victories won. LetGod be praised and honored, not self. What has Daniel experience taught?Even in times of greatest trials, remember who is in charge.
Daniel's faithfulness to God landed him in a den of hungry lions.How did he get there when the king himself admitted Daniel had anexcellent spirit in him and made him chief of the officers? Daniel, aforeigner, was now chief officer. What great honor, but this promotionalso made Daniel a target for his rivals. These jealous officers decided toget rid of him permanently by setting a trap requiring him to cease hisdaily prayer routine. They knew he would not stop praying regardless ofoutside resistance.
The unsuspecting king honored the request these caviling men askedof him. This was what they needed. Daniel was finished, or so theythought. The thought of hungry lions did not intimidate Daniel even fora day, because he trusted in God. He showed his trust in God by prayingthe way he usually did.
The world today would do well with more men with character likethat of Daniel. One famous writer says, "God is looking for men whoare true to principle, as the needle to the pole." God is looking for loyalchildren who will give Him "Center Stage" in their lives. Do not thinkfor one moment that it was easier to be loyal then, than it is now. Thosewere dangerous days. Think of someone caging lions, starving them andfeeding them humans as lunch.
Furthermore, there was little or no consequence for the perpetrators.The laws of the Medes and Persians were unchangeable. Those with evilintentions could easily have their way, if they obtained the king's seal ofapproval. This was Daniel's experience and the jealous men who wantedhim dead.
His enemies were both dumb founded and happy to see him publiclypraying to God, as he usually did, so they hurried to the king to report thematter. The king was sick with fear, for it was only then he realized whatthese men really wanted to do to Daniel. He tried hard to deliver him, butthese scheming men reminded him that the law of the Medes and Persiansare unchangeable. When the efforts of earthly kings fail, a King in heavennever fails, so the king assures Daniel that, "Thy God ... He will deliverthee."(Daniel 6:16)
Daniel was able to do what he did because he had a heart connectionwith God. He purposed in his heart, so we too need this "heart" connectionwith God. History is replete with incidents where God's children were:persecuted, beaten, burnt at the stake, hanged, tortured and shot for theirbelief in God. It happened in Daniel's day, in the dark days, in the days ofLuther and Huss and it is going to happen again. How will it fear with youdear reader? Will you be faithful like Daniel? May God help you to have aheart relationship with Him.
CHAPTER 2
Abraham to his Third Generation
God had made a promise to faithful Abraham to give him a son ofpromise, through whom all the families of the earth would be blessed.Isaac was born when Abraham and his wife were old and he lived with hisparents until manhood. Though they loved him very much it was nowtime for him to establish a family of his own. Abraham charged his faithfulservant with the responsibility of finding a wife for his beloved son, Isaac.This he did and God led him to Rebekah, the daughter of Laban andBethuel.
Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons named Esau and Jacob. Isaac's favoriteson was Esau the hunter, and the favorite of Rebekah was Jacob, the onewho stayed close home. Jacob stole Esau's birthright, then his blessing.These actions caused tension in the family because Esau displayed angertowards Jacob. His mother feared for his safety, so she sent him to hisuncle Laban in Padanaram.
God blessed Jacob and made him a promise that He would bringhim back home. Jacob spent many years with his uncle and served himfaithfully. He also had done well for himself and was now rich. It was nowtime to return home with his two wives and children, and all the wealthhe had acquired in Padanaram.
Though twenty years was a long time, it was not long enough for himto forget what he had done to his brother. The thought of facing his brothergave him great trepidation to return home. He tried to appease his brotherby offering him gifts, and calling him lord. The night before he faced hisbrother, he sent everyone over the brook Jabbok, and he was alone onthat side of the brook praying for God's guidance and intervention. Godhad a surprise for him that night before he crossed the water into Esau'sterritory.
God appeared to him and he thought an enemy was trying to hurthim, so he fought all night long, until almost daybreak. The angel toldhim to let him go for it was nearly daybreak. Jacob then realized it was nota man, so he told Him he would not, unless He blessed him. The angelblessed him and changed his name from Jacob to Israel (Genesis 27-32).
Jacob (now Israel), had twelve sons, favorite of whom was Joseph. Toshow his love for him, Jacob made him a beautiful coat of many colors.The brothers were not happy at all. Their relationship with him was notgreat, and to worsen the situation, Joseph had two dreams that indicatedhis brothers would some day bow down to him. They determined that,that would not happen.
As time passed, their opportunity came, when one day their fathersent Joseph with food to the brothers who were tending animals far fromhome. They described him as the dreamer, and wanted to kill him, butthe eldest brother Reuben said no, put him in a pit. (He wanted to savehim). They put him in the pit, but before long they saw some Ishmeeliteson their way to Egypt. Judah the fourth of the brothers suggested thatthey sell him. This they did for twenty pieces of silver, which they dividedamong them.
To Reuben's surprise, when he returned to the pit, Joseph was gone.Reuben was very upset and tore his clothes. The brothers dipped Joseph'scoat in the blood of a kid and sent it to their father saying they found it.Jacob thinking Joseph met a terrible fate tore his clothes and mourned forhis son for a long time.
Meanwhile, the merchants took him to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar,captain of the king's guard. God was with Joseph and he prospered andfound favor with Potiphar, who made him overseer in his house andeverything he had. God blessed his master's house because of him.
Joseph was in a strange land, among strange people and customs. Itwould be easy to adopt these new behaviors but he did not, he remainedfaithful to God and God blessed him. Maybe it is time to say a prayer foryoung people of our day that are keeping their focus and not falling preyto peer pressure and drugs. Parents train your children to fear God out oflove, and continue to pray for them.
One day Joseph's reputation came crashing down, when his mistressPotiphar's wife wanted to have a relationship with him. He said no,and she grabbed him. He ran leaving his coat in her hand. She used thegarment to lie to her workers, and her husband, who threw him intojail. Joseph continued to be faithful in jail and was a source of help andencouragement to fellow inmates. The jailer acknowledged his demeanorand gave him charge over the other inmates.
It is wonderful to know God is always with His children in everycircumstance. No circumstance should be too rigorous and unforgivingthat should cause unfaithfulness to God. Peter, Paul and Silas were beatenand threatened but they had no fear for their lives. Martin Luther, Hussand Jerome were threatened but they remained faithful. Martin LutherKing Jr., stood up for justice for he had a dream.
After years in jail, the king recalled Joseph to the palace and made himgovernor of Egypt, second in line to the Pharoah. Part of his responsibilitywas to have enough food in store for seven years of famine. All the planshe put in place during the seven years of plenty, prospered and Pharaohwas pleased.
As the years of famine continued people from all countries includingCanaan, came to Egypt to buy food. Joseph's brothers came too. Josephrecognized them immediately, but they did not have a clue that he wasJoseph. He spoke to them through an interpreter, and found out thewelfare of his youngest brother and their father.
Joseph subjected them to many tests to see if they had changed theirold selfish ways. He called them spies, put them all in jail for three daysand kept Simeon in jail, and ordered them to bring their little brother, orSimeon would remain in jail. He ordered their money replaced in theirsacs, on their return journey.
When Benjamin came on their second trip, Joseph advised his servantsto place more food on Benjamin's plate, during dinner with them. Josephobserved their behavior with Benjamin's special treatment, but not one ofthem complained. For their return journey, he ordered everyone's moneyplaced in their sacs, and his favorite cup placed in Benjamin's sac.
Joseph sent pursuers after them to recover according to him his stolencup. The one that had the cup would die, he said. The brothers werebeside themselves to learn Benjamin's sac had the cup. They all returnedto Egypt, and for the forth time bowed to Joseph, not having a clue thatthey were fulfilling his dreams of long ago. True to his words to his fatherthat he would give, his life for Benjamin's, and bring him back; Judahstepped forward to bear the punishment for his brother. He wanted tospare his aged father the agony of living without the son of his old age,seeing Joseph his brother had already died.
For the second time, Joseph was overcome with tears of joy. Thistime he sent his servants out, and revealed his identity to his brothers. Hegave them many gifts and Pharaoh sent wagons for the family to come toEgypt. God told Jacob to go and he would one day bring them back outof the land of Egypt. This occasion brought Israel to Egypt.
Israel in Egypt
It was a joyful journey to Egypt for Jacob and his family. He and allhe had journeyed from Canaan to Egypt. Not only was he anticipatingreuniting with Joseph, but also the thought of returning to his homelandsome day, encouraged him. God made him a promise.
"I will go down to Egypt with you, and bring you back home again,and you will see your son Joseph and he will be there to close your eyeswhen you die" (Genesis 46: 4 CW).
Joseph and Pharaoh welcomed Jacob and his family and gave themthe land of Goshen as their home. Everything was pleasant for them andtheir animals and Jacob lived seventeen years in Egypt. Before Jacob died,he blessed his children and grand children, and repeated to Joseph thepromise God had made to him to take him back to his homeland. Hisrequest to Joseph was that he should take his bones back home.
All Egypt mourned for Jacob when he died, and after forty days ofmourning all Pharaoh's servants, Joseph and his brethren, the elders of hishouse and all the elders of Egypt went to Canaan to bury Jacob. Upontheir return to Egypt, his brothers felt that, now that their father was deadJoseph would take revenge on them for what they had done to him manyyears ago. Joseph assured them that he would not hurt them, for whatthey had meant for evil, God meant it for good. Joseph lived happily withhis brethren and took good care of them. He saw his children and grandchildren. Like his father, he charged his brethren to take his bones backto Canaan.
After the death of Joseph, a new Pharaoh who did not know Josephbecame ruler. This Pharaoh saw the Israelites as a threat, because heclaimed they were many and stronger than were the Egyptians. Out offear, he contrived a plan to keep their population under control. He settaskmasters over them to distress them with burdens including buildingcities. These taskmasters made their lives miserable and burdensome. Thepeople made mortar and brick, and worked in the fields.
The king also told the midwives to kill all Hebrew baby boys, andsave the girls. However, these Godly women saved the baby boys at birth.Their response to the king when questioned why they did not follow hisinstructions to destroy the male babies as he commanded, was the babieswould be born before they get to the mothers. The king's plan did notsucceed, therefore he commanded the people to throw every son that isborn into the river.
Recently, (the time this book was written) the news reported theparents of a supposedly dead newborn visited the hospital morgue to takea last look at him. Surprise, relief, joy, a multiplicity of mixed emotionsenraptured the dumb-founded parents, when they realized he was alive.Call it a miracle, or whatever you will, but this is nothing short of Divineintervention.
Suffice it to say, there is nothing hard for God. He always has thelast word. Though the Pharaoh tried to destroy the male babies, Godintervened in the preservation of one of these babies.
CHAPTER 3
Moses Born to "Free"
Just about that same time the command was given to destroy themale babies, a couple from the tribe of Levi had a son and decided to hidehim. This they did for three months, but time came when they could notkeep him any longer. Consequently, the mother hid the baby in a basketand placed it among rushes on the river. His sister Miriam stayed at a safedistance and watched.
The crying baby caught the attention of the Pharaoh's daughter, andshe sent her maid to fetch the child. On opening the basket, she knew hebelonged to a Hebrew woman, but decided to keep him anyway. Miriamwas quick to offer to find a nurse for the baby, to which the princessagreed. The child's mother received pay to take care of her own child. Thishad to be divine intervention.
