Daniel

Theme 1 : (1-3)The Lord requires us to obey and put our trust in him, in all situations and cirumstances. Daniel and his companions were faithful to the Lord and so they were well treated in Bablyon. They were careful to obey the Kosher laws about food given in the covenant and so the Lord blessed them making them healthy and wise. (1:8-10). Daniel and his companions Shadrack, Messach and Abendigo trusted the Lord to give them insight and therefore were able to interpret King Nebucadnezer's dream. ( 2:41-49). Shadrack , Messach and Abendigo refused to bow to the image of King Nebucadnezer and risked their lives being thrown into a fiery furnance. ( 3: 16-19). The Lord was faithful to protect them and show to everyone his power. They were not harmed at all causing King Nebucadnezer to worship the Lord.( 3:24-29).

Theme 2: (4-6): The Lord alone is the one to be worshiped and faithfulness to his law and devotion to him are blessed. King Nebucadnezer was warned in a dream to honor the Lord and acknowledge his sovereignty. ( 4:1-28). The dream is fulfilled when refusing to worship the Lord Nebucadnezer is given the mind of an animal and lives in the fields. After a year his mind is restored and he worships the Lord. His kingdom is restored and he faithfully obeyed the Lord until his death. ( 4:29-37). King Belshazzar does not heed the example of his father but worships idols to the gods of silver , gold , bronze, iron and wood using the goblets from the Lord's Temple.(5:1-4). The Lord writes in Hebrew on the wall and Daniel being summoned by the King tells him that he is being judged for his disobedience. King Darius conquered the kingdom that night and the King Belshazzar died. ( 5:5-31). Daniel in Persia was given a high rank in the empire as he had found favor with King Darius. The other officials jealous of Daniel tricked the King into signing a decree that he alone was to be worshipped. If any other god was worshipped the person who did so would be casted into a den of lions. Daniel continued to worship the Lord and was thrown into a den of lions. King Darius prayed all night for Daniel's safety and was over joyed to see that the Lord had saved him. He took Daniel outside of the den of lions and casted those who plotted against Daniel into the den where they were consumed whole. Darius then worshipped the Lord alone. (6).


Theme 3: (7-9)The Lord is sovereign and has a plan of salvation for the world. Daniel had a vision of the coming empires of Persia and Greece (7:17-22). He is then was given a vision of an everlasting kingdom which would have dominion over all known as the Lord's Kingdom. ( 7: 23-28). Daniel had another vision of the kingdom of Greece ( 8:1-14) and was told that the ruler of this kingdom would be judged for his lies and deceite by the Lord himself. (8:25). From Daniel's prayer of intercession for Jerusalem , I am reminded that the Lord gives us wisdom and perspective on the challenges we face. ( 9:21-23). At the end of the vision Daniel was given a message about God's restoration and salvation. (9:26-27).

Theme 4: (10-12):The Lord equips , protects and strengthens those who are faithful to him. Daniel in a further vision of the Lord 's coming judgement was given a word of encouragement. The Angel Gabriel, told him that he would be safe and tells him to be strong and courageous. ( 10:18-20). In a further vision Daniel learned of the coming Greek empire and of the defeat of the Greek ruler by the Romans. (11:1-35). The insight I gain from this is that pride and considering one's self to be God will be punished. In fact Antiocus Ephinany who descrated the Lord's Temple was punished. ( 11:40-45). The end of Daniel's prophecy and visions contained a word of encouragement for him. He was told that despite the coming judgement , he would be blessed and protected until the end of his life. (12:13).