Thursday: The Faithfulness of Daniel
Read Daniel 6 and then answer the following questions:
1. What does Daniel 6:4-5 reveal about the character of Daniel? What lessons can we take from these verses about how we should be seen?
2. What parallels can we find in this chapter that link it to final events as depicted in the book of Revelation? See Rev. 13:4, Rev. 13:8, Rev. 13:11-17.
3. Put yourself in the place of Daniel in this situation. What rationale or argument could he have used in order not to pray?
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That is, how could he have justified not doing what he did, and, thus, spare himself the ordeal of getting thrown in the lions’ den?
4. Why do you think Daniel continued to pray as he always did, even though he didn’t necessarily have to?
5. What did King Darius say (Dan. 6:16) even before Daniel was thrown in the lions’ den that showed he knew something about the power of Daniel’s God? What in his words showed the witness of Daniel himself to the king concerning the God Daniel worshiped and served?
(52)
our faithfulness will be tested when mark of the beast is enforced. God be with us to remain faithful to the end
Faithfulness to the end is a good goal, but we need to take action to be faithful now. What did Daniel do? How does it apply to us.
May God help me like Daniel Of Old by giving a double portion measure of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Asking for the Holy Spirit is a good thing but what do you think will happen to you when you are filled with the Holy Spirit?
"...what do you think will happen to you when you are filled with the Holy Spirit?"
That will be entirely up to the Holy Spirit in my view (1 Cor 12:11). To expect otherwise, is not surrendering to Him, but presumption. Even acknowledging Jesus as Lord is a gift from Him (1 Cor 12:3).
Seig, I hear so many comments about praying for the Holy Spirit, that I wonder if we realise what we are praying for when we say those words. It has to move beyond just being a filler in a Christian conversation. And no it is is not presumption to expect something to happen when you are filled with the Holy Spirit. If we are praying for the Holy Spirit and nothing is happening then there is something wrong with our expectations. Maybe we are expecting a call to do "big things for the Lord" when all the Holy Spirit is saying to us is be faithful in the little things; like be kind to the kids who ride their bikes across your lawn; act like a Christian when someone ignores your right-of-way in traffic. Praying for the Holy Spirit should not be a filler to pad out a comment or prayer, but a call to action - even little meaningful loving actions.
Maurice. I agree that fake prayers are meaningless. However, our attempts to "we will do it" are even more meaningless and hollow. God does the work in us and through us. The Holy Spirit decides what changes will take place in our lives.
We keep returning to "our" power, "our" behavior, "our" faith... like a dog to his vomit. We must realize that we are completely powerless, helpless and dependent on God. This we must do daily, hourly... every minute if necessary. If the Israelites had accepted this reality, they wouldn't have wandered in the desert for 40 years.
This characterized Daniel and his 3 friends who never presumed God would save them. They just trusted Him, realizing that God is faithful and His promises are dependable.
Let me suggest that Kamugisha's prayer seems to acknowledge a great personal need, as did Elisha when asking for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, seeing himself less-qualified and thus, in greater need. Seems a proper prayer/desire to me based on the comment given.
As for praying for the Holy Spirit, with such promises given us regarding the same, our only prayer should be for a clean heart, for there is no other need than this in order to receive the Spirit already promised. If we have not the Spirit, it is due to our lack of surrender while clinging to sin. The Spirit will never dwell with sin in the heart. So the only prayer for the Spirit is the prayer for faith and entire surrender of the will, expecting the Holy Spirit to come as promised once the conditions of the promise are met.
If we do not know the promises of God, we do not know God, and will pray for the wrong things. We HAVE the Spirit if we "repent and believe the Gospel", since the Spirit of God is the active Agent(power) of the Gospel as Paul states in Romans 1:16. Believe it.
Our only expectations are to receive what God has already promised if we act in faith upon the instructions given. Beyond that, we will know once the Spirit is given. If we don't know, we have not the Spirit.
Hi Sieg.
As far as I can see, Maurice is not advocating us doing things in "our" own power. Rather, I see him advocating that we have an active, collaborative role to play in actually applying the power given to us by the Holy Spirit.
And this view of an active collaboration is in accordance with that of Ellen White as expressed in the chapter in Christ's Object Lessons entitled Strength. I will only reproduce a couple of example sections, but a reading of the entire chapter will reveal that these sections are not out of context:
"We are to love God, not only with all the heart, mind, and soul, but with all the strength. This covers the full, intelligent use of the physical powers. {COL 348.3}"
"Religion and business are not two separate things; they are one. Bible religion is to be interwoven with all we do or say. Divine and human agencies are to combine in temporal as well as in spiritual achievements. They are to be united in all human pursuits, in mechanical and agricultural labors, in mercantile and scientific enterprises. There must be co-operation in everything embraced in Christian activity. {COL 349.3"
As Phil 2:12-13 also reflects, our walk as Christians is a collaborative one - God gives us the strength and then we use ('work-out' like at a gym) that strength in the development/re-development of our abilities and capacities in service to Him and to others. And this is to the glory of God.
Phil: I fear that you are misinterpreting Phil. 2:12. You imply that we must "work out our own salvation" when this text is used by Paul as a clear warning NOT to do so (see Phil 2:13). Paul was adamant in preaching that "working out our salvation" is not only impossible, it is the sure road to perdition (Galatians 5:4).
We cannot "work out our way to Salvation" PERIOD. Else, Christ's sacrifice at the cross was for naught. This is Satan's great lie... the one by which most will be lost. It argues that by works, cooperation, active collaboration, etc. we must help Christ save us. THIS IS A LIE.
Our work as Christians is a NOT a collaborative one... it is a surrenduring one. It is God who does the works in us and through us. We don't collaborate, assist, cooperate... we surrender. HE does the rest.
God, and God only, can "work out our salvation" through faith in the only One who saves (Titus 3:5-7; Ephesians 2:8-9). Everything short of that reality is a lie, perpetuated by Satan to lead us away from Christ, our only hope for salvation.
"Christ is our only hope for salvation. His righteousness for us. His death for us. His resurrection for us. We face an Accuser who wants us to look to our unrighteousness, our condemnation etc. True assurance of salvation is found in Christ in whom we believe, not in ourselves." (C.S. Lewis).
Seig, I think you are misinterpreting what I am saying. I am not suggesting that we do anything in our own power. I am suggesting that we listen to the Holy Spirit and take action as a consequence. It is the inaction that we so often see that is an indicator that we are not listening to the Holy Spirit. This action is the result of the Holy Spirit, not an attempt to earn our salvation.
In reply to Sieg:
You and I are generally on the same page on this subject, and I think you can appreciate the NLT version of Phil 2:12-13: "Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." That is the way I have understood it for a long time, and it is not out of harmony with what Maurice and Phil have expressed. Maybe we shouldn't fault someone for directly quoting the Apostle Paul in the KJV, "work out your own salvation." Context supplies the meaning in this case - both for the Apostle Paul and those of us who read his letters now.
For everyone on this thread above: Does Ps 37:4,5 help with Paul's counsel to the Philippians?
We have our part to "work out", which is to make the choice and commitment to abide in Christ, all the while praying expectantly for the promised power of God(Rom 1:16). Notice Peter's instructions in 2 Peter 1:5-8 and beyond. Will the yoke of Christ just fall on us or must we respond in some way to His invitation "take [His] yoke upon [us]", and how, exactly, does one do this? It seems clear that our "work" is appointed for us to do. How else will Jesus say "Well done"?
Hi Inge. The translation of "fear" in Phil. 2:12 per Strong's concordance is "phobos" = "fear, dread, terror." Other texts which use the same word "phobos" corroborate its meaning as something dreadful:
1John 4:18
Rom 8:15
Mat 14:26
Mat 28:4
Mar 4:41
Luk 1:12
Luk 2:9
Luk 8:37
Luk 21:26
Jhn 7:13
Jhn 19:38
Jhn 20:19
Act 5:5
1Co 2:3
2Co 7:5
Heb 2:15
Rev 18:10
Rev 18:15
That's what the Bible says.
How do you interpret it?
(I'm also thinking of the last-day message, "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Rev 14:7)
Inge: "That's what the Bible says.
How do you interpret it?"
I think you'll agree that we must interpret the Bible based on other parts of the Bible, else we could greatly distort the meaning of what God has revealed in His word. That is what I did by listing numerous other interpretations of "phobos."
Do you really think God wants us to be afraid of Him? My interpretation is that the God of love doesn't want our love and obedience because of fear or terror (1 John 4:18; Rom 8:15) but instead because He loved us first (1 John 4:19).
Sieg, I totally agree that "the God of love doesn't want our love and obedience because of fear or terror." But you listed all those texts about fear and/or terror in the presence of the Lord, and I'm wondering how you reconcile those with your understanding.
Inge: "But you listed all those texts about fear and/or terror in the presence of the Lord, and I'm wondering how you reconcile those with your understanding."
That was the point of my post to Phil on April 15, 2018 at 12:29 am.
To wit, in Phil 2:12, Paul is talking about actual fear and terror, not reverence. Why? Because fear and terror is what everyone should feel if they try to "work out your own salvation" because "it is God" who saves us through Jesus (Phil. 2:13).
Paul uses Phil. 2:12 (fear and terror when we do the work) to contrast it with Phil. 2:13 (God does the work... in love, not terror).
Ah ... That's an interesting interpretation I had not considered before. It doesn't quite work for me in context, though. And you're left with all those other verses that cast fearing God in a positive light, such as Gen 22:12, Gen 42:18, Ex 1:17, 21; Ex 18:21; Lev 19:14, 32; Lev 25:17, 36, 43; Deut 4:10, and many more in the OT. But let's check out the NT: Acts 10:2, 22; Acts 16:13, 26; 2 Cor 7:1; Eph 5:21; Heb 11:7; Heb 12:28. Peter positively commanded believers to "fear God": 1 Peter 2:17. And that's not all. The first of the three angels whose message we have interpreted as being one we are to communicate to the world begins with "Fear God and give glory to Him." (Rev 14:7)
(I tend to accept that some of these instances of "fear" actually mean "awe," which is one of the suggested translations for the word. In other words, not all instances translated as "fear" in the Bible actually mean what we, in our modern western society actually mean by "fear.")
Inge: "I tend to accept that some of these instances of "fear" actually mean "awe," which is one of the suggested translations for the word. In other words, not all instances translated as "fear" in the Bible actually mean what we, in our modern western society actually mean by "fear.""
The word for "fear" in your texts is different from the one in Phil. 2:12 and in the texts I quoted (apples and oranges?). I suspect that there is a reason for this. In Phil. 2:12 Paul used the word for "fear" that is translated "terror" and is not used for "awe" or "reverence" as far as I can determine.
He could easily have used a word for "fear" that includes interpretations of "reverence" (as in the texts you quote). He chose not to. Do you think this might have been intentional on his part and on the part of the Holy Spirit who inspired him?
@ phobos
Of course, that word is also the one used for reverence and respect. The same holds true in OT Hebrew. There appears to be no distinction between respecting authoritarian figures and quaking in one's boots at some immense danger. Maybe at a human level back then, rulers were such that there wasn't much difference--which unfortunately can lead to wrong conclusions about God.
You raise a very good point Wilton.
The issue of words and their 'meanings' is of much greater significance than most people would realise - and hence why misunderstandings between people occur so frequently.
To the wider readership:
Ever stopped to think what a word is? It is an attempt at a description of the associated phenomenon or phenomena. The phenomena is typically diverse and complex - a word is much more limited in its scope. And then too there is our own personal history with what that word means to us.
Although there are likely to be some exceptions (I would assume), most typically a word is limited to being a description of a subset of the actual phenomenon/phenomena. And due to the subjective factor mentioned above, that subset can be even more limited or, not infrequently, skewed.
And when it comes to bible interpretation, we have the added issue of ancient cultural concepts and ways of communicating being considerably different to modern 'English'. For example, ancient Hebrew language was very concrete and (what I would describe as 'dynamic') based around the concept of 'word pictures'. This is quite different to modern 'English' which is far more abstract and 'static'.
What is the point of what I am saying? There is often a broader and deeper meaning to key words - and even more so to the broader phenomenon/phenomena that those words are trying to represent.
Wilton Helm:
"Of course, that word (phobos) is also the one used for reverence and respect."
Could you cite some Bible texts to verify your assertion? I have supplied a number that suggest otherwise.
I would suggest Rev 14:7 "Fear God and give him glory" is not telling people to be afraid of God, but to respect Him. After all, the angel is proclaiming the "everlasting gospel" and gospel means "good news". Rev 15:4 and 11:18 is about fearing God and giving Him glory. I would submit that respect is the intent. Also Acts 9:31 and 13:6. But any decent concordance or Greek dictionary will recognize that range of meanings. I don't think the human examples they had back then fostered the distinction.
Hi Wilton. Thanks for your reply. Please note that Rev. 14:7 and other texts you cite do not use the word "phobos" but use other words for "fear" (the only exception to this is Acts 9:31).
All of the concordances I have looked at interpret "phobos" as dread, terror. Phobos is the root word for phobia and does not appear to have any relationship to "reverence."
If you know of a concordance that says otherwise, perhaps you could supply the name of it. Even a Greek dictionary would help if you could direct me to one that supports your claim. I've tried, but I honestly can find no evidence that "phobos" is translated as "reverence."
I'm not an expert at Greek, but know at least enough to be dangerous. So I picked Rev 14:7 as my example. According to my Greek NT the exact form used there is phobethete. According to my Analytical Greek Lexicon that is second person plural, first aorist, subjective middle, future of phobos. So yes, it isn't the same word, but only in the sense that I and me aren't the same word or come and came aren't the same word. (Some forms are also noun and others verb, but again that does not change the force or nature of meaning.)
So no, for practical purposes Rev 14:7 and Acts 9:31 use the same word. And no, the author didn't have other words as their disposal. I am not aware of any other word in Greek that could have been used in either sense. I have searched Young's concordance and found nothing. Hebrew is a little more complex, mostly because I know less about it. There are several words, and they don't appear to my limited knowledge to all be derived from the same root. But even then I didn't find the variety of meaning one might expect.
Moulton's lexicon definitely includes awe, respect, deference as well as amazement, portent, impressed, as shades of meaning used in scripture.
Sieg, it takes only one exception to demonstrate that 'phobos' does not always mean "fear and dread" as we understand it, and we have the example Acts 9:31. And Phil 2:12 might just be another one.
You may be right in your interpretation of Phil 2:12, but it seems to leave us with an awkward passage going something like this: "Just as you have always obeyed, even in my absence, so go ahead and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (sarcastic) because it is really God who works in you."
I'm sure you could paraphrase it better to make your point, so please do so.
I would paraphrase Phil 2:12-13 this way: "Just as you have always obeyed, even in my absence, so keep demonstrating your salvation in your life in reverence and awe, knowing that it is God who works within you."
For others interested in biblical usage of the Greek word phobos, you can find it at BlueletterBible.org
(My impression is that many of the passages have overtones of awe, rather than mere fear or terror.)
Rom 13:7 is particularly insightful. Fear as we use the word is an emotion. Emotions happen to us, we don't choose them. Rom 13:7 says "Render therefore to all their dues: . . . fear to whom fear . . ." The English understanding of fear can't be rendered, which is why some translators use the word respect. The exact word in this instance is phobon, which is simply the accusative singular of phobos.
I think 2 Corinthians 7:15 is a better argument against my proposed interpretation. Here, Paul uses the very same Greek words for "fear" and "trembling" as in Phil. 2:12, but most certainly not in a way that denotes terror.
Thank you all for your diligent and thoughtful input. I praise God that we can "search the scriptures" (John 5:39) together to learn more of Him whose love for us can only be measured by what He was willing to endure for us (John 3:16).
Yes, there are a couple of instances such as 2 Cor 7:15 where the term trembling (tromos) occurs and yet the traditional English understanding of fear doesn't seem to fit. I don't know an alternate meaning of tromos. I have to consider "fear and trembling" may have been an idiomatic expression in that culture that wasn't always negative, but rather just expressed an intensity of feeling or reaction. This goes beyond my limited knowledge of the subject.
Thanks Wilton. I found instances of "fear and trembling" in the Old Testament as well, referring to terror in one instance and and to reverence/awe in another.
Context helps clarify which applies.
I love it that we are able to share our understanding and benefit from each others' viewpoints. 🙂
Kamugisha, this is what happened to the disciples when thy received the Holy Spirit. “After the descent of the Holy Spirit, when the disciples went forth to proclaim a living Saviour, their one desire was the salvation of souls. They rejoiced in the sweetness of communion with saints. They were tender, thoughtful, self-denying, willing to make any sacrifice for the truth's sake. In their daily association with one another, they revealed the love that Christ had enjoined upon them. By unselfish words and deeds they strove to kindle this love in other hearts.” Acts of the Aspostiles p.547.3. Can this happen to us when we are filled with the Holy Spirit? Yes! How? The picture in the lesson depicted by the GoodSalt, speaks a thousand words. We are told in the Bible that Danial prayed morning, noon, and night. Daniel 6:10. Ask, if is is His will He will give. Do you think it is His will to fill us with the Holy Spirit. Yes! 1John 5:14. Do we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit in prepration for the Lords coming? I am sure that question will be answered over and over again through out this quarter.
God's blessings to all. I discussed today's lesson with my son, and question three (3) in particular, which says, "put yourself in the place of Daniel in this situation. What rationale or argument could he have used in order not to pray? That is how could he have justified not doing what he did, and thus, spare himself the ordeal of getting thrown in the lions' den?
Well one question my son asked was "what was wrong with Daniel praying, but not doing it in the window, as visibly or noticeably as he previously did?"
And what was wrong with praying quietly or 'in his heart', for the length of the decree?"
I gave an answer but I've thrown these questions out here for discussion.
Wow that was very good thinking from your son. It is true what he said. Don't we as Christians at times of socializing with others hide our faith? I know I have. We need to share our faith to others and let the light of Jesus shine through us for others to see. In the end of times there will be no hiding our faith. We need to stand up for what is right and good, His name is Jesus. Thank you for sharing
"Let your light so shine before men that they may SEE your good works...". Doing "good" behind closed doors/windows is not letting one's light "shine before men that they may see...", but rather, it is hiding it(yes, the intent is to conceal, in order to have the praise of sinful men) under a bushel.
The truth in hiding is that there is no true Light in us.
How vital to have such a faith that remains at perfect peace no matter what.
As we look at various stories in the Bible and in later Christian history, we don't find a consistent answer to this question. There are times when believers don't "flaunt" their religion and there are times like this when Daniel was very "visible". I'd suggest that the Holy Spirit directs on a case by case basis what would bring the most glory to God--if we listen.
This story occurs near the end of Daniel's life. He may have felt he had little to lose. He also had a very interesting political history, being a Jewish captive, elevated to major leader in the captor's empire, then when the empire he is a leader in is captured he quickly rises to the top of the new kingdom. His history showed him that God clearly was both protecting him and giving him opportunities to work in a very public way. All of this may have factored into his decision. He knew the king was favorable to him. He refused to bow to the petty politics beneath him.
Daniel 6: 24 -28
God won through human character. So we have a choice who is going to save us.
Question 3.Daniel's selflessness would not have allowed him to do otherwise than please God. The other thing is that had he closed the window,pray in secret or pray in his heart/mind he would've failed God right there and then, no matter his past experience. Why, because not finding any fault with Daniel the attack now include his God and God's Awesome Power would not have been revealed.
The lesson
Daniel's only mission was to lift up God always no matter what and that's our humble responsibility too.
When people are concerned about protecting their privacy online, I have heard it pointed out that Daniel prayed in the open window, because he felt no need to protect his privacy. He wasn't doing anything wrong, and therefore was very transparent and open.
If one is doing business online, privacy is vital in order to be safe. It's like having locks on the church doors. It's not to conceal, but to protect.
Depends on one's reasons for complete privacy. Some wish to be anonymous in order to violate without having to face responsibility, but the day of secret things being open to all draws near swiftly.
Agreed!
When those who diligently look for a flaw can find nothing, God is glorified. Now imagine the story of Job, but put Daniel there instead. We have to realize this is what was going on with the accuser of the brethren. If righteous, it will take place with each of us as well.
Had there been a rational argument for not praying, Daniel would have concealed his usual habits, yet the opposite was true wasn't it? Had Daniel even pretended to comply with the new statute, he would have denied his faith, been exposed as a pretender. and denied God. And what is meant by the SSQ when stating; "...even though he didn’t necessarily have to?" Again, in this crisis, the opposite is true, and this was a most important time to change nothing regardless of what might happen to himself. We are either witnesses for or against God. One thought of self-preservation and we deny the Lord, and show our "faith" to be mere profession, while self, not God, is our first love, and thus the god we serve.
The kings testimony of Daniel in his well-wishing is a witness to the character of Daniel. Notice that the king found Daniel serving his God "continually". Without ceasing. This is how one acknowledges HIM in all their ways(Prov 3:6). No wonder God sent this youth to Babylon and Persia as a faithful witness.
The real question from this lesson is: "Would/could God send ME?"
Daniel was indeed a witness for His Lord!
It was their decision making and their faith that was so important that made them stood apart from the rest. Is a lesson for all even when our lives is on the line.
Daniel prayed in the open window, because that was his daily meeting place he choose to meet with God ( the prayer room) he may have chosen to do so long before the king's decree . For him to change that would be to give credence to the king. "I rather obey God than man". Remember the bible says he went home to the upstairs room open the window towards Jerusalem kneel and prayed three times per day. Don’t forget also the men spied on him because they wanted to stop Daniel from being promoted by the king. So no matter where he prayed they would have spied on him. The goal was to permanently remove Daniel from administration and from being the king's favorite. May God help us all to be born again, be converted and be faithful even to death and if we are ever put in a situation to make a choice for God we will say like Esther "if I perish I perish! “ and take a stand for God.
I'm reminded what Jesus said, if they do these things when the tree is green what will they do when the tree is dry. Now is the time to have our eyes of faith focused on Christ. Now is the preparation time to learn how to be faithful. Some one said on Hope Sabbath School the three young Hebrews in Daniel, I imagine were not focused on the fiery furnace, but put their focus on Christ. Always looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Learn trust and faithfulness now in the little things while the tree is still green.