Thursday: Contemporary Relevance of Daniel
Although written more than 2,500 years ago, the book of Daniel remains profoundly relevant for God’s people in the 21st century. We shall note three areas in which Daniel can be relevant for us.
- God stands sovereign over our lives. Even when things go wrong, God stands sovereign and works through the whims of human actions to provide the best for His children. The experience of Daniel in Babylon resembles that of Joseph in Egypt and Esther in Persia. These three — young people were captives in foreign countries and under the overwhelming power of pagan nations.
Image © Lars Justinen Goodsalt.com
To the casual observer they may have seemed weak and God-forsaken. However, the Lord strengthened them and used them in powerful ways. When facing trials, sufferings, and opposition, we can look back to what God did for Daniel, Joseph, and Esther. We can rest assured that the Lord remains our Lord, and He has not abandoned us even amid our trials and temptations. - God steers the course of history. At times we feel troubled by a confused and aimless world that is full of sin and violence. But the message of Daniel is that God stands in control. In every single chapter of Daniel, the message is hammered home that God steers the flow of history. As Ellen G. White says: “In the annals of human history the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as dependent on the will and prowess of man. The shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, behind, above, and through all the play and counterplay of human interests and power and passions, the agencies of the all-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will”. — Education, p. 173.
- God provides a role model for His end-time people. Daniel and his friends serve as role models for life in a society that holds a worldview often at odds with that of the Bible. When pressed to compromise their faith and make concessions to the Babylonian system in areas that would deny their commitment to the Lord, they remain faithful to the Word of God. Their experience of faithfulness and absolute commitment to the Lord provides encouragement when we face opposition and even persecution for the sake of the gospel. At the same time, Daniel shows that it is possible to make a contribution to the state and society and remain committed to the Lord.
| Read Daniel 9:23; Daniel 10:11-12; and Matthew 10:29-31. What do these verses say about God’s interest in our personal struggles? |
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I find it very hard to support the notion that "God is in control" this morning. If you have been following the news about Australia you will probably know that we are having a tough bushfire season. On New Year's Eve day, the bushfires swept through the south coast of NSW and eastern Victoria destroying hundreds of homes and killing about 9 people. Over the last few weeks around 1000 homes have been destroyed, and just about anything green along the eastern spine of Australia has been incinerated. And this comes on top of a searing drought. People in Australia, the lucky country, are suffering. And I can imagine that if I was to go onto Facebook now and say, "God is in control" I would start a flame-war on FB that would burn up our modems!
And that is a natural disaster. Its impact is minor compared to the damage of wars within and between nations, where the number of innocent people who have been killed or impacted runs into the millions.
So often Christian apologists only offer "weasel words" in response. Partly, that is because we have learned a nice lot of platitudes that explain God's control in very insular Christian language and it does not even make sense to anyone who has not learned the language.
So, I am going to be bold and say it. God is not in control of the decisions of man. We make our own choices, good or evil and bear the consequences of those choices even when they affect others. Read Daniel right through. If you believe that this is the story of one kingdom after another, then you will realize that the picture is one of persecution, captivity, subjugation, and control by a succession of powers. God has told Daniel what the future is going to look like, and it is not pretty. The bright spot in the whole book is the coming of his Kindom, built without hands.
We need to rebuild our message of "God in control" in a way that the suffering people of today can understand. Don't be surprised if you find that the message has to be stated without words. It is not a theological argument that is going to win people's minds.
[For those people concerned for our safety in this fire season. We are safe but not complacent. We are about 50 km east of the big fires that have burned along the spine of Australia and we live north of Sydney. The big fires of the last couple of days were all south of Sydney. We have had two fires close by in the last few days and although they were of concern, the closest they got to us was about 8km. And this morning we woke up to 1mm of rain. It has not stopped the fires but has given some relief.]
Maurice, glad to hear that some rains fell and provided some succour from the fire.
God continue to protect you all.
“God is in control of what HE can control” that’s how I’d put it brother Maurice. I fully agree that somethings (like our choices) are totally beyond HIS sphere of control. Stay safe up there in Sydney. Praying for you all (and for the much needed rain) down there. I am in Perth myself. BLESSINGS
Thank you, Maurice, for telling us that so far you have been in a secure place concerning the fires. I often think of all the Australian people having to leave their homes because of the fires and I was also wondering if you are safe. May this little rain be the beginnig of relief for the whole country.
Guidance by the Holy Ghost, it’s no mistake.
No human- From Adam, to righteous Noah, to perfect Job, to Holy high Priest know how God works. His thoughts are above ours and so are his ways. This question was already asked in the Bible- Why does the righteous suffer and die, when the wicked remains and live on?
As we look at the book of Daniel we are looking at years of history and the outcome. We know the outcome therefore to us is neither living by faith nor hope. To Daniel and the others they were in the moment living by faith and hope day by day. Which one is easier to live?
God provides a role model for His end-time people.
Regardless if I believe it or not, God is in control of the entire world, animate and inanimate things and directs the affairs of men. But what does it means when we say ‘God is in control’. In genesis He gave humans his plan then told them to choose what they wanted. The good way or the bad way. Then the consequences comes with our choices. In Deutro he returned to the plan with Moses and the Israelites- the blessings and the curses. These were our role models, they had the same plan like us and the same consequences like us, they passed and God honor them. We might pass but die. Do we know the PLAN of Jesus.
There is an obvious tension between human free will and the idea that God is in control of history. How I see this is like a river that cannot go beyond its banks but the water has a choice of splashing around in any direction within those limits. Much like what God declared to Job about the sea: ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’? (Job 38:11)
So irrespective of the free choices that man make he cannot go beyond the bounds set by God.
I am genuinely sorry for all that sufferings at the hand of this disaster. I agree with your sentiments at all the crisis and disasters that are televised. It is true that at times it is natural to question even the presence of God. So is it better to say God is not in control of what happens now due man’s choices? In the SEC (uk) a great many have been affected at the passing of a vibrant 38 yr old pastor just before Christmas . Lots are questioning God at the moment.
How wonderful to know that the LORD is sovereign over all and that He uses His faithful servants to carry out His long-term plan of salvation.
It is amazing that some young people rose to the heights in the pagan nations but it is interesting to note that they were prepared to suffer for their principles:
Ester 4:16 if I die for doing God's will, I die
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Dan 3:17-18 they knew the LORD could deliver them but were prepared to suffer if that promoted His plan
Daniel carried on praying in full view even though it would result in being thrown in the lion's den. Dan 6:10
So although the LORD blesses His people it is not always plain sailing, Heb 11:25, read all of Hebrews 11, the heroes of faith, some received blessings in this life while others will only receive them in the earth made new, but all trusted, had faith, in the LORD Heb 11:13-16 and their desire was for a heavenly not earthly kingdom.
Happy to know you are safe Bro Maurice. Thanks for your perspective as always. I thank God for the little rain that fell and will keep everyone in my prayers.
Old Testament has a strong binding in our Christian life.
When faced with dietary challenge, Daniel used tact to deal with his situation teaches us to be harmless as dove be wise as serpent.
In the book Daniel, false worship forced upon God's people. Even now many nations force false worship on God's people.
Babylon indulged in every sin imaginable. Our culture encourages us to take part in every pleasures imaginable. We no longer have a moral absolute.
Daniel and his friends were taught Babylonian literature. For us today, teachers and professors are ready to teach values contradictory to the scripture and corrupt the mind of our young people.
Daniel and his friends faced the fiery furnace. Many living at present face persecution because they have taken the name of Jesus Christ.
The prophecies contained in the book of Daniel will carry us through the end time events.
Dear Joanah "God is in control of what HE can control” I guess it your understanding which seem ok, but I would like to say it this way, God can control all things( including man ) Because he is a fair and merciful GOD and because from creation he has given man the free will to choose he will not force man's will. However at times he dose put stumbling block in our path to change man's plan . Numbers 22: 28 Balaam was on his way to put a curse on the God's people the donkey spoke, angles with flaming swords was also waiting /blocked his path.So indirect God is the ultimate one who is in charge of all things .
Praise be to God, happy to know that you are safe Bro Maurice. It is important when we speak about whether, God is in controls over everything or not, not to be vague, some scriptures need to be expanded upon, to keep the word in context. We need to speak about, How God Works. Ephe. 1:11. The Causer. Amos 3:6 and Lamentations 3:37. If The Lord Wills. James 4:13-15. When we pray we ought to say, If the Lord wills. The Lord does not TAKE control of everything, He gave us free will to make choices over ourselves, but still, it is if He wills it. Sometimes God has other plans for us and He will cause us to go down another path.
So He maybe permitting or controlling a thing. One writers said, ”Gods sovereignty does not diminish human accountability”. Are we blameless for the condition our planet is in. I don’t know what started the fires, but is God permitting it? Is He in control of it?
Let’s keep praying for our fellowmen in Australia. Sorry for my text length.
Hi Laverne.
I fully agree with you regarding the need to responsibly expand our understanding of scripture - including interpreting things within their context. And I also fully agree that we need to speak about how God works.
If you (and/or anyone else) are up for it, I wonder if you might be interested in re-examining the notion of God as “The Causer” of, for example, disaster as per the Amos 3:6 reference you provided (amongst others).
Have you noticed there is a general developmental progression of understanding across scripture? This contextual point accounts for why some Old Testament (for example) scriptures are more a refelection of how the author/people of the time viewed how God works rather than an accurate reflection of how He actually operates.
Keeping that principle in mind, then have a very careful relook at the following scriptures - from newer backwards to older - and let me know what you see.
Galatians 6:7,8
James 1:14,15
Jeremiah 2:17-19; 4:18
Psalm 7:14-17
Ezekiel 28:18
Job 1:11 compared and contrasted with Job 1:12; and Job 2:3
Note Job’s question in Job 9:24 and God’s answer to that question in Job 41:1,18-24.
Then look back further to Genesis 2:8,9,16 carefully before re-examining Genesis 2:17 equally carefully. Contrast this with the Serpent’s re-worked (mis)portrayal of how God works in Genesis 3:1,4,5.
If we show interest and desire to understand the things of God he (God) will reveal to them the secrets even the "hidden" ones like he did to Daniel.
He is in control and takes care of his people just like he cares for the sparrows even knowing the number of hairs in our heads.
So as we study these lessons on Daniel God will reveal what he intends that we learn in preparation for the times shed of us.
It is often challenging to deal with our Bible favorite children’s stories in an adult way. Might I suggest Daniel compromised and chose his battles as did his friends. They tried to control what he could control. They could not control being captured. They could not control what they were being taught such a divination from entrails and astrology or Babylonian literature and history despite explicit commands against such things in their teachings as youth in Israel. They could not control being made eunuchs which disqualified them in Israelite teaching from ever serving God because they were not unblemished. Daniel didn’t refuse to eat the King’s food and wine, but wisely proposed a test for 10 days during which they thrived. We like to make a strong statement about the principle exhibited here and conveniently skip Daniel 10: 2. He apparently ate more than vegetables which by the way were offered to idols as was meat and drank more than water since the word for wine there is the same as in chapter 1. Daniel like Esther whose morals we would not teach our children as the gold standard were used by God and tried to exercise what little control they had and God used them greatly.
We forget that compromise is not always a bad word. Had Daniel and his friends balked at being mutilated or being taught things against their religion or Esther refused to enter the harem as a potential wife they would not have be available to be used by God.
These are grown up stories for us grown ups to learn lessons from and not just repeat what we’ve always been taught. If we do that what is the purpose of all studying this stories yet again if God doesn’t want us the bring our mature perspective to these.
Might a lesson be to compromise on what we can’t control always being committed to God so when the opportunity arises we can be used by Him. I am amazed and humbled that that four men used all their God given intellectual talents to learn all these topics that they knew God didn’t condone so much so that when they were tested they excelled over others. I like to imagine their character shown through in their answers even when they were being quizzed on “heathen” topics.
Just another thought on this first chapter. God gives man free will and then men and women developing that will under God’s direction are available to play the part God has for them to play when His time comes.
Just another way of looking at these stories that might cause us to think harder about what we are again reviewing so that God might teach us as adults.